Page 70 of Devil Black

Then she asked, “Am I dying? Tell me the truth.”

“The truth? I do not know.” Before seeing her, he would have said she could survive. Women did. But now his heart stuttered with fear.

“I must tell you—not much time.” Her fingers twisted in his, bit into his hand with painful intensity and her eyes—wide, now, and eerily blue in her white face—captured him. “If I do not tell you this now, I may never have the chance.”

Dread blossomed in Dougal’s chest, spread upward, and closed his throat. He knew what she would say as if the words were already spoken.

She drew a ragged breath. “I love you, Dougal MacRae—devil or not, I do not care—and I am helpless to deny! I did not ask to love you, do not understand the feeling, but my heart, poor gift that it may be, is yours.”

“’Tis not a poor gift.” Dougal barely recognized his own voice. He reached out to smooth the skin of her brow, thinking of the many ways he had touched her these weeks past. But a declaration of passion was not what she wanted, and lust was not love. He would give much to return the words to her, but even now he could not lie.

“I am honored,” he told her, feeling humble. “I do not warrant such feeling, nor deserve—”

She smiled ruefully. “You do not welcome such feeling,” she corrected. “Yet I cannot help but tell you. I hope you understand.”

“Isobel, my heart is a damaged, blackened thing. ’Twould make no worthy return for you.”

She whispered, her strength failing, “You love only her, will always love only her. Will that truly never change? Can you give me no hope?”

Terror gripped Dougal’s heart: she was dying right here beneath his hands, in a welter of blood.

“Isobel—Wife—you must hang on. You must fight! There will be other bairns—”

“Can you want my child, even though you do not want me?”

That he could answer, and truthfully. “With all my heart! There is naught I can imagine better than an heir with your courage, strength and fire. And, Wife, I never said I did not want you. Of that you may be certain!”

Another spasm gripped her. They endured it together. He found himself wishing he could pray, and seeking words that, to her, would make a difference.

“Listen to me, Isobel,” he told her when the pain eased again. “I know fine ’tis a poor offer, since I cannot give you my heart, but I vow to you, everything else I am is yours. Hang on for me—fight—and we will build a life, a future together. A good life.”

He had never before made such a promise, not to anyone, and it frightened him that he should do so now, but he gave it completely. His crippled heart aside, he was willing to live with her—and for her—all his days.

“Will you fight, Isobel, for me?”

She nodded.

Behind him he heard the door open as Meg reentered the room. He bent and kissed his wife’s brow, then rose and released her fingers. Her eyes drifted closed.

When he joined Meg at the door, she gave him a searching look.

“What can you do for her?” he demanded. “Her strength fades! You said I must need her to live—” He gazed into his sister’s black eyes. “Well, I do. I will give whatever you ask, if you save her. Is it enough?”

Meg nodded, and Dougal went limp with relief. Did he believe in his sister’s purported powers more than he believed in God? Yet Meg insisted the powers upon which she called were not her own, nor of the devil. He did not know, yet he clung to a slim shard of faith.

“Leave us,” Meg said. “Wait below and think on the debt you incur—not to me but to the woman who lies there. If she lives, it will need be paid in care, loyalty, and fidelity.”

He left the room and stumbled blindly back down the stairs, where he found Lachlan waiting for him. One glance and Lachlan looked away.

“As grave as that, is it?” he asked awkwardly.

Dougal reached for his cup, which proved empty. He splashed whisky into it and drank deep.

“I would send to Stirling for a physician, but Meg insists there is no time. I have left Isobel in her hands.”

“I will ride to Stirling, if you like,” Lachlan offered.

Dougal considered it. “At the rate she loses blood, I do not doubt Meg is right. But, aye, go! I would appreciate it.”