Page 90 of A Touch So Wicked

“Are ye sure, my lord?” Lachlan asked. “Ye’ve been gravely wounded.”

“’Tis but a scratch. Nan will work her magic and I’ll soon be good as new.”

A cheer followed Damian’s words and a slow exodus from the hall began. Soon the sounds of music and voices raised in laughter drifted to them from the courtyard.

Nan returned with her medicine chest. She placed it on the table and probed Damian’s wound with her index finger. Damian’s muscles clenched and he stifled a groan.

“Ah,” Nan said with satisfaction. “Just as I thought. Yer shoulder bone deflected the worst of it. Ye saved Elissa’s life, me lord. Had Gordon’s blade struck its intended victim, Elissa wouldna have been as lucky as ye.”

Damian shivered. The thought of the dagger puncturing Elissa’s tender flesh made his blood run cold. “Hurry and fix me up, Nan. I must join the search for Gordon.”

“Yer not going anywhere, me lord. Yer wound isna life threatening but ye’ve lost more blood than ’tis good for ye. I doubt ye can mount yer horse and stay on. I’ll brew a concoction of herbs to build up yer blood. A day or so in bed will do ye a world of good. Now sit still while I clean ye up and take a stitch or two.”

“Bloody hell! I can’t sit still while Tavis Gordon is free to wreak havoc on innocent people.”

“Damian, please listen to Nan,” Elissa advised, wringing her hands. “She knows what’s best for you. You donna know these mountains like Tavis. He’s been living as an outlaw ever since his home was destroyed and his lands seized.”

“He tried to kill you,” Damian reminded her. “Do what you have to do, Nan, but a little cut isn’t going to stop me.”

Nan set about cleaning the wound while Elissa watched from the sidelines, determined to keep Damian from leaving the keep until he was healed. She clamped her teeth together and winced when Nan threaded a needle and took the first stitch in Damian’s flesh. Elissa could tell by the set of Damian’s jaw that it was painful, but to his credit, he didn’t flinch.

“There ye be, yer lordship. All done,” Nan said, tying off the knot.

“Good,” Damian said, attempting to stand. He managed to gain his feet and take one step before his legs collapsed. He grabbed the table for support and hissed out a curse.

“I told you, Damian,” Elissa said with asperity. “You shouldna exert yourself. The loss of blood has weakened you.”

“I suppose a short rest won’t hurt,” Damian grudgingly allowed.

He walked off, his gait slow and uneven. Elissa and Nan exchanged glances over his head, then Elissa started after him. Hanging onto the wall, Damian negotiated the stairs without Elissa’s help. She trailed behind him, Nan following close on their heels. When they reached the top, Nan scooted ahead and held the chamber door open. Damian staggered inside and collapsed on the bed.

“I will brew ye a potion for the pain,” Nan said, hurrying off.

“A hell of a way to spend my wedding night,” Damian complained. He extended his hand. “Come lie beside me.”

Instead of taking his hand, Elissa moved to the foot of the bed, grasped his boot, and pulled it off. His second boot was a little more difficult to dislodge, but it finally slid free.

“Raise up so I can remove your breeches,” Elissa said as she reached for the fastenings.

Damian grasped her hand, his voice low and strident. “Touch me there and I’ll have you on your back before you can say my name.”

The breath flew out of her lungs. “You’re wounded.”

He brought her hand to his groin. “Not here.”

“Be serious,” Elissa chided. “You’re weak from loss of blood.”

His eyes darkened to the color of smoke. “I am serious. Tonight is our wedding night. I’m not too weak to make love to my wife.”

He grasped her waist and lifted her onto the bed. Then he pulled her beneath him and lowered himself to her. Bending his head, he brushed his lips lightly over hers. Warmed by the tenderness of his kiss, Elissa opened her mouth to taste more of him.

“Elissa,” he moaned against her lips. “My wife.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. None of that, yer lordship.”

Elissa’s gaze met Nan’s over Damian’s shoulder. Damian groaned and slowly lifted himself away from Elissa.

“You could have knocked,” Damian said crossly.