Page 63

She’d been pulled in a wagon, but the moment the older woman stepped down to the ground, her cane aiding her, Avelina’s suspicions were confirmed.

Going to her husband, Avelina took his hand as he greeted the healer. She assumed the healer would treat Niall coldly, knowing her husband still bore much guilt from the incident, so Avelina was surprised she did anything but.

“You look well,” she said, “a wife becomes you.”

Niall introduced her to the healer just as his mother joined them.

“Son,” she said, as Niall leaned toward his mother and kissed her on the cheek. “Lady Avelina.” Her mother-in-law did the same to her. “You both do, indeed, look well. Glenhaven agrees with you,” she said to Lina.

“Very much, my lady,” she said. Then to the healer she said, “We shall take you to Angus at once.”

So it was that Lina found herself in Angus’s bedchamber with the healer, her husband, and his parents and brother.

“There are too many,” the healer said. “Leave us.”

Lina made to do as she was bid until the healer stopped her. “Lady Mairi. Lady Avelina. If you would remain.”

Mairi chuckled.

So, she wanted the men to leave? Avelina returned to Angus’s bedside, taking the man’s hand in her own. As she did so, she looked up just as the chief turned back to her. It seemed he noticed she held Angus’s hand. Niall’s father stopped in the doorframe and raised his head, his eyes locking with her own.

It was as if he was seeing her for the first time. The chief’s brows furrowed, the man confused about something, though Avelina could not say what precisely. And then, he left.

“Tell me all,” Mairi said as the door was closed, and so Avelina did. Of what Niall described to her. Of Angus’s pain when he woke. Of how often he slept and the worries they had that, one day, he would not wake again.

The healer placed her hand on his chest. At that, Angus woke. He seemed to recognize the healer and Mairi, but instead of saying anything to them, he groaned and closed his eyes once more.

“Angus is ill in his breast. Death has penetrated him and taken up its abode.”

Avelina knew not what the woman meant, but she did not care for her words.

“Lady Avelina,” the healer said directly to her. “I will need a tehua berry, poppy plant, peppermint, and red sexet seeds.”

Aveliana did not recognize all of what she’d asked for, but she knew who might be able to give her aid. Releasing Angus’s hand, she stood.

“Of course,” she said. “At once.”

Just as Avelina was about to open the chamber door, a hand on her shoulder stopped her.

“You care for him,” her mother-in-law said.

“Aye,” she said. “Angus had been most kind to me for the few days he was. . .” She could not say it. “He cannae die,” she said.

“Go, get the herbs she asks for. Do not fret for Angus. She is quite skilled,” Mairi said. And then she added, “I am glad for it. That you’ve found a home here.”

“None have been unkind to me,” she said. “If they are displeased, they do not tell me or my husband.”

Mairi smiled. “I am glad for it,” she repeated as Avelina opened the door then, wishing to retrieve the herbs the healer asked for as quickly as possible. It was only as she closed the wooden door that Avelina realized she was not alone.

The chief of Clan Duncraig stood watch just outside the bedchamber door. And was alone.

She. And the chief.

Chapter Thirty-One

“Where is Father?” Kieran asked.

Niall looked around the hall but did not see him. “Did he not come from Angus’s chamber behind us?”