Chapter 25
Claire pulled away from the hands that held her down, and a scream strained to be released but caught in her throat as panic filled her from head to toe. There was only panic and pain, and the pain was everywhere. It was the agony that slowed her movements and forced her to look at the attacker.
“Claire, please, child, see me,” Neala said. “You are safe now, ‘tis Neala by your side.”
The nightmare faded slowly as the room came into focus. Neala. She was with Neala and not in the forest. Where am I?
Claire looked around with the only eye that seemed to work and saw the familiar walls of her chamber. The dim light from the small window showed the first light of a new day. Relief flooded through her as her hands moved freely to touch the side of her face. She winced as she explored the swelling and then sighed with relief as Neala placed a cool, scented cloth against the injury.
“Shhhh, child. There are fine herbs mixed with the cool water, and the swelling should ease in a few days.” Neala reached to take a cup from the bedside table. “Here now, drink this. There are other healing herbs mixed in the water. It will dull the pain and help you rest.”
She took small sips of the drink. “Thank you, but it tastes horrible.” The energy expended to rise up enough to drink then sink back to the pillows left her drained. She fought the wave of dizziness and nausea that accompanied the herculean task and suddenly remembered what had happened. “Hagan. Where’s Hagan?”
“Dinna fash yourself, child. Hagan is safely tucked in his chamber with Aliana by his side. His wounds have been cleaned and stitched with no sign of fever. He will be fine.”
Claire closed her eyes, comforted by the words. Her attempt to shift into a more comfortable position was stopped by the pain in her left hand. The bandage that covered her hand left her stunned.
“That has been stitched as well. And you have no sign of fever, either. With rest, child, you should heal.” Neala touched the fingertips on the bandaged hand. “Can you feel this?” Neala smiled as Claire nodded. “‘Tis fine. You will bear a scar but should still have use of the hand. As for the rest of you, all your wounds have been cleaned and bandaged. None other required stitching, just simple care.” Neala stepped away from the bedside to ask someone in the corridor to bring in some food.
“Thank you, Neala. I’m sure you did a great job.” Claire felt a surge of panic. “The child, Neala, did I lose the baby?” It had been for the baby that she had found the strength to fight. “My stomach hurts.”
“For now the bairn is safe. You have been through a verra large ordeal. I dinna ken if you . . .” Claire looked away as Neala faltered in her statement. “You have been through much. With rest and care, hopefully all will be fine.” Neala sat on the bedside. “Child, forgive the question, I simply need to be aware if you require more care. Did they hurt you?”
Claire immediately knew what Neala asked. “No, Neala. I know what you’re asking and Nolen did not . . . I was able to stop him.”
It was close, too close. Even now she could feel him, smell him.
“I want a bath, Neala.”
Chastising her request, Neala said, “Nay yet. Your wounds need a bit more time to heal. Soon, I promise.” Again Neala reached to touch her cheek. “Forgive me, child. I did nay mean to bring foul thoughts to mind.”
Lifting the blankets to peer at her battered parts, she was relieved to find no dirt or mud. “You’ve already cleaned me up.” Claire’s mind recognized this would keep infection away, yet was somewhat embarrassed at being so meticulously cared for in her sleep.
Neala’s reply was matter-of-fact. “Aye, we did. ‘Tis the best manner to prevent fever.”
She was never going to ask how many people “we” represented. “I’d like something to wear please, Neala.” The idea of lying in bed, naked and dependent, left her too vulnerable. There were cuts and bruises she did not want to see. With care, the shift found its way over her head. Claire sat back against the pillows and waited for the spinning and the pain to stop. Relief came again as a fresh cloth was placed over her swollen face.
Neala turned to call out entry to the knock at the door.
Aware that her now blind side prevented any view of who was entering her chamber, she gave a small smile as Finella stood at the foot of the bed. It touched her deeply that Finella came to see her. The concern was clear in the old woman’s gaze and the kiss to her forehead. “I’ll be fine, Finella, but I don’t think I can eat all of that.”
Finella simply said, “Eat, Claire.” She left as quickly as she had entered.
“I’m not really hungry.”
Armed with a spoon full of broth, Neala spoke, “It has been two days, child. You need to eat.”
As Claire’s mouth opened to gape and question the statement, the spoon found its entry.
“What do you mean two days? It’s early morning.”
“‘Tis early morning, child. You did nay wake at all the day before this one. For two nights you have slept. Dinna fret this. The sleep was needed for you to begin healing. In truth, it allowed us to tend your wounds without you being aware of the task. ‘Tis a blessing.”
Claire grumbled. “Somehow I don’t feel blessed, Neala.” She winced as the sip of broth brought discomfort.
“I believe you, child.” Neala continued to help her eat and then offered her some goat’s milk to mask the herbs mixed within.
“I can still taste them, Neala.”
“Forgive the flavor, but they are needed.”
“I trust you.” That was the simple truth. Of all the people Claire had met and known, Neala was one she trusted completely. She realized she hadn’t asked for any details of what had happened, and a small burst of fear filled her heart. “I forgot to ask. What happened here? Did we come in time? Is everyone safe?”
“Shhhh now, child.” Neala answered the question, “All is well for the moment. Tavis is locked within a chamber, and his men are also under heavy guard. You arrived in time. No one here came to any harm.”
“That’s it?”
“There are matters that still need to be sorted out, child. Lachlan is trying to maintain some order in all of this.” Neala answered her confusion, “The Campbell Laird, I should say. He and his daughter, Dedre, arrived shortly after you left to bear witness to the marriage.”
Claire remembered Hagan had wanted to invite the local lairds for the wedding. She sighed as she thought about how long ago that all seemed, that morning by Ian’s side.
“‘Twas Lachlan who caught you in the hall as you collapsed. He carried you here so I could tend you. He kept Ian from killing Tavis and his men.” Neala smiled and patted her good hand. “Lachlan wishes to speak with you when you are ready. There are many questions on his mind.”
Claire knew what was not being said. “Lachlan does not believe what Hagan and I said in the hall, does he?” With everything they had gone through, she never dreamed anyone would doubt them.
“I believe he is just trying to be careful. Dinna fash yourself. All here have faith in what you and Hagan say.” Claire saw the woman’s smile as her eyes grew heavy. “More rest now, child. ‘Tis the best thing for you.”
In a voice slurring with coming sleep, she said, “Mairi had no part in this. Did we say that part? Does everyone know? Is Mairi safe?”
Neala’s voice became distant as the herbs worked within her. “Aye, child. Hagan spoke the same words last eve. Mairi is well and unharmed. I saw her last eve, and she prays for you.”
Barely aware that someone else had joined them, the light from the corridor was the only clue that the door had opened. Claire knew immediately that Ian had entered the chamber. Her good eye was too stubborn to open as she spoke. “I’m telling . . . the . . . truth. Tell Hagan . . . I’ll be . . . ready to . . . go . . .” Claire’s statement fell away as sleep took hold.
Ian had waited for her to awaken. He had left this chamber only three times in the two long nights that had passed, once to speak with Hagan when he woke, once to bathe per Neala’s command, and this last time to assist in the changing of Hagan’s bandages. He turned, prepared to bark that he had given orders to be fetched when Claire first opened her eyes. The reprimand left his tongue as his mind absorbed what she had spoken. Neala had heard them as well, and her face showed the shock he felt. He sat on her bed, afraid to touch any part of her, lest he cause her pain. What have I done to make her believe I would ever doubt any words she might speak? Closing his eyes, he knew what he had done.
“The child does nay mind if her cheek is touched,” Neala said.
Gently he traced the side of Claire’s face, the side not swollen. He had touched her like this too many times to count. He was used to her smile, even when touched in sleep, but now she only turned away from his touch. He placed a kiss on her forehead as his hand brushed the hair away from her face. “Did she speak, Neala?”
“Aye, we spoke briefly. She ate a wee bit, and the herbs put her back to sleep.” Neala studied his reaction. “Claire will heal, Ian. She is strong. I ken what you fear for her. I had the same thoughts. She said ‘nay.’ Nolen did nay rape her.”
Ian felt his head fall back, though be it from relief or shame, he could not tell. He was grateful that there was one less hurt to heal. Yet he was filled with guilt that he had put Claire on the path that led to this. So many wrongs had led to her being attacked. His mind could not grasp the action that could have prevented all.
“Did she say anything else?” He had no idea what he truly wished to hear.
“In truth, our talk was simple. I let her ken all here were safe. That was her true concern. There was talk of how she was cared for and how her wounds were treated. She ate a wee bit for me after Finella brought her tray. The herbs did their work and put her to sleep. Though I will add she was surprised their tale was doubted.”
“There is no doubt here, Neala. However, Lachlan is correct. We need hard proof before we kill another laird. Unfortunately ‘tis no simple matter. What happens will affect his clan and all those dependent on him.”
“I had never considered such matters. Ian, she will sleep the better part of the day. Mayhap now is a fine time for you to rest.” Neala kenned he had not slept since Claire and Hagan had come back. She had at least napped in the chair. “Both of them will need you to be strong as they recover.”
As usual, the women in his life were wise. The days ahead could prove to be long and difficult. Moving to the fire, he picked up a chair and placed it next to the bed. “I will sleep by her side. Go to your bed, Neala. You will hear from me if you are needed.” He took Claire’s uninjured hand in his own. “Thank you for your care of Claire and Hagan. ‘Tis my belief your hand is what has kept fever away.”
“They are two people I care for deeply. No care is too great for either. But I will take your offer of some sleep. The next few days could be long.”