Eveline tried to turn so she could reassure Graeme, but Nora caught her arm and held her firmly in place as she settled onto the bench next to her.
“Nay, you’ll not spend another moment looking after the laird. He’ll be just fine in no time. ’Tis you who needs looking after and I’m going to say my piece so he hears it all.”
Eveline could do nothing but stare in shock at the other woman’s vehemence.
“You can’t keep up this pace any longer. You need food. You need rest. You need someone to look you over to make sure all is well with you. You can give in gracefully and allow me and the other women to help with the laird or I’ll have the laird’s brothers tie you to the bed, and I’ll do it with the laird’s blessing as soon as he’s heard all you’ve done to yourself over the past days.”
Eveline frowned. “Teague and Bowen wouldn’t do such a thing.”
Nora lifted one eyebrow. “ ’Twas their idea, my lady. We were on our way up to take matters into our own hands when we heard the laird bellow for us to come. They know you’ve had enough. We can all see it. I insisted on being the one to come to you. I owe you that much. We’ll not let you or our laird down. I vow it.”
“Why are you being nice to me now?” Eveline asked, rubbing her sore throat as she choked the words out.
Nora’s gaze softened even as guilt flashed in her eyes. “ ’Tis my doing. ’Tis all our doing. This would not have happened if we hadn’t driven you away. And even so, you fought fiercely for our laird. You didn’t allow our actions to affect your loyalty to him. I’m deeply shamed. I was not the better person and you were. If you’ll give me another chance to right the wrongs, I vow you’ll not regret it.”
Eveline stared at the older woman in bewilderment. She truly looked sincere. There was guilt and heavy regret in her eyes and the wrinkles and lines in her face seemed more pronounced.
“I am hungry,” Eveline began.
Nora smiled. “Of course you are. You’ve not had a bite to eat in days. Now, what I want is for you to come below stairs with me. Mary is preparing a steaming bowl of venison stew as we speak. After you eat, the women are going to take you to the bathhouse so you can soak those sore muscles in a tub of hot water. Once we’re finished, we’re going to have Nigel give you a thorough examination to make sure all is well and that you suffer from nothing that a good rest won’t right. After that you can rest with the laird, but be forewarned, if you do not sleep, I’ll have you removed from the chamber and locked into another one. I’ll pour a potion down your throat if I have to.”
Eveline laughed at Nora’s determined look and then grimaced at the pain it caused her throat.
“You poor lass,” Nora said, sympathy brimming in her eyes. “You’ve hurt your throat with all the screaming you’ve done. We heard you all the way through the keep when you were riding in for help. ’Twas a brave thing you did, taking the laird’s horse. He’s a big brute and with you being so terrified of horses. The entire keep’s talking about it. Everyone knows how fiercely you protected our laird. I think some are a little afraid of you now.”
Eveline’s lips twitched. It amused her to think anyone would fear her. She glanced back at Nora, studying the other woman intently.
This was her opportunity, one she’d waited for. She could hold on to her anger and refuse to grant forgiveness. Or she could rise above her anger and humiliation and start anew.
She reached for Nora’s hand and squeezed. “I thank you. Venison stew and a hot bath sound next to heaven right now.”
Nora helped her rise and Eveline nearly fell on her face. Her strength was gone. It was as if she’d remained stalwart until the moment she knew Graeme needed her no longer and now she was at her very end.
As they turned, she saw Graeme’s fierce expression, the anger and the worry in his eyes. He was propped up in bed, pillows behind his back and surrounded by his two brothers. But his gaze never left her.
“Come here,” he commanded.
With Nora’s help, she managed to walk to the bed, but her knees were shaking so badly, she feared she wouldn’t be able to remain standing.
He reached for her with his right arm and pulled her down to the bed until she was perched against his thigh. “You will listen to everything they tell you to do,” he said. “You will do nothing but take care of yourself henceforth. Are we understood? Bowen has told me of your fall from my horse. God’s teeth, lass, what were you thinking, mounting that beast when you’re terrified of horses? He could have killed you.”
He broke off, his chest heaving with exertion, but his eyes glittered with purpose.
“You will go down and eat and then you’ll soak in hot water as Nora has directed. Then you are to return to this chamber and to me so that Nigel can properly examine you. Afterward you will rest until I grant permission for you to rise from this bed, and if you give any argument, I’ve given permission to Bowen and Teague to do whatever is necessary to ensure you follow my orders.”
Eveline’s eyes widened and then to her further befuddlement Graeme pulled her roughly to him and kissed her hard and deep. When he finally let her go, her thoughts were so muddled that she couldn’t think straight.
“Now go,” he said. “And hurry back to me so I can satisfy my concerns over your well-being.”
CHAPTER 38
As soon as Eveline was gone from the chamber, Graeme turned to his brothers. “Tell me the truth. I want the whole of it. How is Eveline? Was she hurt?”