“I offered the lass an apology,” Nora said in a low voice. “But ’tis the truth I owe you one as well, Laird. I acted unforgivably and I wonder if you could find it in your heart to forgive an old woman for her bitterness. ’Tis a sad state of affairs when I encourage such spite against a wee lass who only has good in her heart.”
Graeme smiled at Nora’s description of Eveline because it was so true. It was also true that he held a lot of anger toward Nora and the other women, but Nora had done much to make amends.
“I am not happy with the way you and others acted toward my wife,” Graeme said sternly. “You caused her endless grief and moreover, you made her so unhappy that she wanted to return to her own kin.”
Nora gasped and put her hand to her mouth.
“I’m not prepared to let her go,” Graeme said in a calm voice. “She means much to me and as such, she will remain a permanent fixture here, so see that your goodwill toward her continues and moreover, ensure that others regard her in the same manner as you now regard her. I’ll not have any further patience or tolerance for any slight against her whatsoever.”
Nora nodded and bobbed a curtsy. “Thank you, Laird. I’ll not disappoint you or the lass.”
Graeme waved her away and then glanced down at Eveline’s tousled hair and the peaceful expression on her face. Her eyelashes rested delicately on her cheeks, and her lips were slightly parted as she breathed through her mouth.
He couldn’t resist touching her. He reached down, angling his arm so his fingers brushed over the softness of her cheek. He pushed back the golden strands of hair behind her ear and softly stroked.
“I love you, Eveline,” he whispered, though he knew she could not hear him. “Somehow, I’ll make you hear me and you’ll know that I love you as fiercely as it’s possible for a man to love a woman.”
CHAPTER 40
When Eveline awakened, she was completely confused. It took her several long moments to collect herself and realize that she was abed with Graeme. And she was starving.
She pushed upward, her entire body protesting the movement. She turned to squint toward the window as sunlight bathed her entire face. It had to be midday at the very least.
When she turned back to Graeme, intent on tending his wound, she found him awake and regarding her with a probing stare.
Her hand went to his shoulder, but he caught her palm and slid his fingers over hers, curling them around her hand. He moved it to his chest, holding it there for a long moment.
“Are you …” She cleared her throat, coughed, and then started again. Her throat wasn’t as sore, but the words still felt blocked and rusty. “Are you well?” she asked. “Are you in pain? Should I fetch Nigel?”
Graeme pulled her to him so she was sprawled against his chest, her face just inches from his.
“The question is how are you feeling?” he said. “Do you hurt still? Are you still fatigued? Perhaps you should rest awhile more.”
She frowned and shook her head. “How long have I been sleeping?”
His lips quirked upward. “Two days.”
“Two days!” she shrieked.
He winced, but nodded.
She yanked away from him and then wrung her hands in agitation. “Two days? ’Tis disgraceful. Who has tended to you for the last two days?”
He put his finger over her lips. “You were exhausted and hurting. I’m furious with you over the risks you took. You could have been killed or far more seriously injured. You needed to rest and you needed to eat.”
“And you? Is your wound healing?” she asked anxiously. “Is your fever gone?”
“I’m in far better condition than you are,” he said. “Now come here. I want to hold you.”
Shocked by the sudden demonstration of affection, she didn’t argue as he pulled her tightly into his arms. He tucked her beneath his uninjured shoulder and wrapped his arm around her until she could barely breathe.
He kissed her forehead and smoothed the hair from her brow. Calm descended. She sighed in contentment and burrowed into his big body. ’Twas nice to lie here in the middle of the day and rest in her husband’s arms.
She had nearly drifted back into sleep when he lifted her away from him, but held her so that they were still close. He’d positioned her so she could see his mouth.
“There are things we must discuss, Eveline.”
Her mouth turned down and she lowered her gaze. Bowen and Teague would have told him what she’d seen.
He nudged her chin upward with his fingers. “You know I must investigate whether this threat came from your clan.”
She nodded reluctantly.
“Eveline, I will do all I can to avoid conflict with your family. But you have to understand that I cannot allow this to go unanswered.”
“I know it,” she whispered back, her heart aching at what must come.
“Come here and lie against me. For now, we’ll not think on unpleasant things.”
She snuggled back into his arms, closing her eyes in the sweetness of the moment. There were no guarantees of what tomorrow would bring, but today she would savor a brief respite in her husband’s embrace and pretend that something so simple as love could bridge the gap made wider by decades of hatred.
After eating a light repast with Graeme in the comfort of their bed, Eveline was itching to rise. Her hunger sated, she was ready to turn her attention to other important matters such as a bath and walking enough to ease the stiffness and soreness from her muscles.
She was considering how to put the matter to her husband, who was insistent on her remaining abed, when she saw Graeme frown and then tell someone outside the door to remain so until Eveline was decent.