“Should have just shot him but he had his back to me. Suspicion that was planned as well.”
“Quite possibly. He would have taken the time to find out everything he could about you and yours.” She sighed. “I even wonder at times if our coming out here played right into his hands. Big, wild country. Perfect place to kill a few people and then sail on home. All he had to do is find us and my sister helped him with that. I am so sorry,” she said quietly, taking his hand in hers. “I should have let Mabel shoot him.”
“I understand why ye didnae. As I said, I thought about shooting him myself but could not bring myself to shoot a man in the back. Any of the locals get hurt?”
“Not badly. Albert was not interested in any of them and, as soon as he realized his grand plans had taken a wrong turn, he fled with his men, leaving the ones he had hired on to fight it out. Unfortunately, Albert got in one telling shot before he left. The one that skimmed across your skull. But even though he thought he had taken you down, six more men were shooting at him. So he ran. Matthew is certain he hit him once but he did not take him down, does not even know where or how bad the wound was.”
“But that could make him easier to track.”
Emily sighed. “Could do but, depending on how badly he was hurt, his men might take him to an actual town or city to find a skilled doctor. If he is too badly wounded, they may even consider taking him back home to England thinking that is where he is sure to want to be buried. I can imagine him leaving such orders with his closest men, the ones who came here with him. It would be nice if that is what is happening now.” She shook her head. “And just listen to me, wishing for a man’s death. My parents would be appalled.”
“He murdered them, took your sister and her husband from you, killed three other relatives I think you mentioned, and was doing his best to add ye and Neddy to that tally. Maybe then your grandfather. More than reason enough to wish for such a thing.”
“I suppose so but I do resent him for causing me to do so, as much as I detest him for what he has done. But you seem quite wide awake for a man out cold for three days. I suspect you would like a meal.”
“Aye. Have ye taken care of me all that time.” He smiled when she blushed.
“Matthew or one of the others came in to see to your, er, personal needs. I got some watery broth down you from time to time. Oh, and I cleaned your wound, which is healing very nicely. And I, well, I cleaned your teeth yesterday.”
He grinned despite the ache in his head. “Ye cleaned my teeth. Was my breath so foul then?”
“No. I have been ill a few times and slept for long periods and the one thing I hated the most about it all was the feeling in my mouth when I finally woke up.” She made a face and shuddered at the memory. “So I was just sitting here watching you breathe and decided I would rescue you from that particular horror.” She grinned. “You may thank me now.”
“Thank you. What has put ye in such a gay mood?” He frowned when her expression changed abruptly and a hint of fear revealed itself briefly on her face.
“I am just pleased that you finally decided to wake up.” She stood up and smoothed down her skirts, hoping he did not understand how true that statement was. “I will just go and see what we can put together for you and send Matthew up with a tray.”
Before Iain could say another word she was up and out the door. Once outside, she leaned back against the door and let the tears fall. It was foolish because he was obviously going to survive but she could not stop the tears; they were washing away the fears she had lived with for three days. When she was finally able to control them, she wiped her face with her skirts, straightened her posture, and went down the stairs.
* * *
Iain frowned at the door. The change of her mood was so quick it left his head spinning. She had seemed to be happy and joking and then sad. He was sure he had seen tears in her eyes. Emily had no true skill at hiding her emotions. He thought over what he had said and could see nothing that would have caused it.
Sighing, he closed his eyes. He was too weary and his head ached too much to try to figure out a woman’s moods. He smiled slightly. It was rather nice to even be faced with that small trouble.
Matthew strode in and stood next to his bed to stare at him. Iain looked up at his brother and frowned. After a moment of looking at each other, Iain began to get irritated.
“Are ye going to say anything or are ye just going to gawk?”
Matthew grinned. “So ye finally decided to wake from your wee nap, did ye?”
“Aye. And since ye are here, maybe ye can give me a hand to get to the damned chamber pot.”
Chuckling, Matthew helped him out of bed. Iain found that he was not yet ready to do much walking as Matthew steadied him. He hated this part of being an invalid, no matter how short the time one was stuck abed. Once done, Matthew led him back to bed and Iain nearly fell into it. Only Matthew’s strong hold made his settling in less abrupt.
“Jesu, I am as weak as a newly whelped lamb.”
“Weel, I think even one of them can walk about better than ye can right now.”
“Thank ye kindly. My head is aching badly and right now I cannae see too weel because of it. So ye are safe from my fists.”
“That will pass,” said Matthew with a grin.
“When did ye become a doctor?” grumbled Iain.
“Recall last year when I fell out of that tree?”
“Ah, aye, verra graceful. Ye landed on your head. Ye were out for a while, too. So how long did your head ache?”
