Fortunately, it took her a very short time to get ready, and by the time Hamish had exhausted his store of self-control she was fully dressed.
4
As they walked back into the camp, Amanda was not quite sure what would happen next. Would she be tied up again? Made to sleep bound to a tree for yet another night? She looked down at her wrists, still raw and bleeding. She was carrying the dandelions, but needed hot water for the poultice.
“I need hot water,” she told Hamish. “I cannot soften these flowers without it. I also need a knife to chop them up.”
Hamish tutted irritably, then reminded himself that Amanda was to be their healer—for as long as she would be there at least—so why not let her prove her skill by using her medicine on herself? At least that way, she could not do any harm to anyone else.
“You will not have a knife,” he said flatly, then he strode across to Fiona.
Of course not,Amanda thought angrily.Did you really expect him to give you a weapon, Amanda?
He went to speak to Fiona, who had been standing with her back to him talking to one of the other women. He tapped her shoulder and she turned around, her face brightening with a wide smile. However, when she saw Amanda, it was replacedwith a sullen scowl. He was speaking to her on Amanda’s behalf, she realised.
“Give the Sassenach some hot water to let her make some medicine for herself,” he ordered. “And she needs those flowers to be sliced up, but do that yourself and keep the knife away from her. I want to see how good a healer she is. And feed her. Don’t ever lose sight of her. If she makes a run for it and escapes, I will consider it your fault.”
“This nonsense again? It isnae fair,” Fiona cried indignantly. “Why should I have tae look after her? There are plenty o’ others here that could dae it.”
“And most of them are men.” Hamish’s deep voice was grim. “It needs a woman to take care of another woman, and you are the best one to do that. Now be quiet and do as you are told!”
He turned on his heel and marched over to speak to Amanda, leaving Fiona to stare after him angrily.
“Fiona will help you,” he said. He looked down at her wrists. “I will not bind you again, but you will be watched every minute, and if you try to run away you will be very sorry. Do you understand?”
Of course, I do, you idiot!she thought angrily.
She nodded stiffly in reply. Amanda had no idea quite what kind of punishment he had in mind for her if she tried to escape, but judging by the fierce scowl on his face, she knew it would be severe.
Fiona came over to her, bearing a dish of hot water and a knife to chop up the leaves. As instructed, she did this part herself with very bad grace, muttering under her breath as she worked, and then gave the flowers to Amanda.
As Amanda mixed the poultice, Fiona watched carefully, monitoring her every move. At least the Sassenach could be of some use!
When the poultice was ready, Amanda smeared the mixture on her wrists, feeling immediate relief as the soothing paste calmed down the stinging pain. She sighed, closing her eyes, and when she opened them a moment later it was to find Fiona holding out a bowl of porridge.
“Eat,” she commanded, pointing to a stool for Amanda to sit on.
Presently, Hamish came striding back to them, his sword strapped to his hip, looking very threatening, and so full of rampant masculinity that Amanda’s heart began to race. He speared Fiona with a glance that was full of meaning, as if some secret message were being passed between the two of them. Amanda wondered what was going on between them, since she looked furious.
“Where are you going?” Amanda asked, but before she received an answer, Fiona spoke up.
“He is goin’ tae look after his people. No’ that a Sassenach would understand that,” she replied scathingly. “He goes out every day tae see what he can dae for them. That bastard in the castle doesnae care a bit about them, but the real Laird does.”
“I expect you to behave properly when I am not here,” Hamish said sternly, pointing at Amanda. “If you try to run away, the guards will not be merciful!”
“What do you do for them?” Amanda asked curiously.
“Whatever they need,” he replied, but a telling expression of distress flitted across his face before it was quickly hidden.
He held her gaze for a moment longer, and Amanda’s eyes drifted down to his full, well-shaped lips, imagining what it would be like if he kissed her.
A moment later, however, he broke the spell as he turned to mount his horse and ride away. She shook herself out of her fantasy and saw that Fiona was looking at her up and down, her lip curled in derision.
Amanda was seething with rage inside but was determined not to give Fiona the satisfaction of seeing it. Slowly, she ate her food and then stood up and began to walk around, looking at the people in the camp.
The soldiers mostly ignored her, and Amanda had the distinct feeling that the novelty of having a Sassenach in the camp had worn off all too quickly. These were men hardened by a cruel Laird after all, no wonder they didn’t care too much about her nor her origins. Many of them were resting, having been out on patrol, and some were sharpening weapons, carrying buckets of water back from the burn and sawing logs for firewood.
Everyone looked clean, healthy and well-rested, despite having to spend their lives in tents. Amanda thought that there were many people in the world who would love to live like this.
