She still could not quite believe it. Her mood kept swinging between gutted and blind rage.
Adjusting Eda’s dress, the physician rose from the bed and turned to Candace. ‘Never seen anything like it. The skin is completely intact. I doubt there will be a scar to show for it.’
‘What?’ Blake said, opening her sister’s dress and looking for herself. While the ten marks were confronting at a glance, the physician was right. They were welts, not wounds.
‘The defender who did this clearly was not trying to leave a lasting impression.’ The physician chuckled lightly to himself. ‘That is a lashing for show if I have ever seen one.’ He picked up his bag. ‘Not suggesting it did not hurt.’ He patted Eda’s head. ‘But it could have been far worse.’ He stepped past Candace towards the door. ‘A bowl of soup and a good night’s sleep should do the trick.’
Candace brought a hand to her chest as she followed him to the door, her relief palpable. ‘I appreciate you coming.’
Lyndal was staring at Blake from where she sat on the bed opposite. Blake knew exactly what she was thinking.
‘Don’t say it. It doesn’t change anything. He still whipped her.’
Lyndal raised her hands in innocence. ‘I didn’t say a word.’ There was a pause. ‘However—’
‘Here we go,’ Blake mumbled, straightening Eda’s dress.
‘He volunteered in order to protect her from any actual harm, and he risked a lot doing that—including your feelings for him.’
‘If by feelings you mean a relentless urge to break his nose…’ Blake crouched beside her sister, stroking her hair back from her face. ‘What the hell were you thinking taking that chicken?’
Lyndal laughed. ‘Now you’re angry ather?’
‘Well, this is all her fault.’
Eda brought a hand up to sign.I’m sorry. I saw an opportunity—
‘While I was unconscious? We were supposed to stay together. Not only do you refuse to talk, but you refuse to listen.’
Lyndal rose. ‘How about we let her rest?’
‘She’s lucky she’s already hurt, or I might have been tempted to belt her myself,’ Blake said as Lyndal dragged her from the room.
Once outside, Lyndal turned to Blake. ‘You’re angry. I get it. But I think Eda deserves some reprieve, don’t you?’
Blake closed her eyes. ‘I shouldn’t have said that.’ When she went to re-enter the bedroom, Lyndal caught her arm.
‘Give yourself some time to calm down and her some time to reflect. You know I love that girl, but she’s out of control at times. You’re right, but that doesn’t mean you have to point it out when she’s already feeling miserable.’ She walked over to stir the soup. ‘Perhaps it’s time you stopped indulging her wild side.’
‘I don’t indulge her.’
Lyndal cast a knowing glance in her direction as she ladled watery soup into a bowl. ‘I’m not arguing with you today, not after hearing the things you said to Commander Wright.’
Blake swallowed. ‘You heard that?’
‘I’d be surprised if the warden himself didn’t hear it.’ She stepped past Blake, heading for the bedroom. ‘The last thing I’ll say about all this is that you have a very small window of opportunity to make things right with the commander before you lose the respect of the only man brave enough to care for you.’
Blake crossed her arms. ‘If he’s that easily deterred, then he’s not that brave.’
‘Easily deterred? You threatened to strangle him.’
Blake followed her into the bedroom. ‘Hewhippedher. Now I’m supposed to thank him?’
‘You're supposed to show some understanding,’ Lyndal replied. She turned and handed the bowl to Blake. ‘Feed your sister. I need to check on Mother.’
Blake looked down at Eda, who was now sitting up, watching her.
You wouldn’t wake up, Eda signed.And it was my fault.She brushed a tear away.I thought if I could make you some real soup…Her hands fell to her lap.
