Presently, Eliza gave a soft moan, her eyes fluttered open and looked into his.
“Duncan,” she whispered, then tried to look around her, struggling in his arms, but he tightened them around her, holding her safely in his strong embrace.
“I’m cold,” Eliza whispered. Indeed, she was shivering, but Duncan wrapped his woollen cloak around her and kissed her forehead.
“Hold on, my love,” he murmured. “You will be home soon, and then I will put you in a warm bed beside the fire and sit by your side till you are better, even if it takes days. I will never leave you again.”
Suddenly, Eliza’s eyes darkened with fear. “Those men—” she began, but Duncan stopped her speaking.
“Shhh…” he said. “They will not be bothering us ever again, Eliza. Do not worry about them.”
“Are you sure?” she asked anxiously.
“Quite sure,” he replied.
He had no wish to elaborate on why the would-be murderers were no longer a threat, since he thought it might distress her.
“They were cowards, they obviously did not like the look of me.”
Eliza asked no more questions, but the corners of her mouth twitched into a faint smile before she closed her eyes again.
Duncan wanted to close the distance between them and the castle by urging his horse into a gallop, but restrained himself by a great force of will. He was almost sure that Eliza would recover, but he was not a healer and his knowledge was inadequate.
When he saw Lennoxburn Castle in the distance, he breathed a deep sigh of relief and urged his horse into a faster trot.
“Not long now, my love,” he murmured.
20
As soon as Duncan passed through the gates he sprang into action, calling guards to help him lift Eliza from the horse, then he took her limp form to the sick room.
“She has been poisoned,” Duncan announced to the healer. “I have given her the antidote, and I think it has worked, but I need you to confirm it and tell me what can be done for her.”
“Put her down on the bed, M’Laird,” the young woman said.
Even though she was only in her early thirties, she had worked in the castle for ten years, learning from an older experienced mentor, and was greatly respected. Duncan had great confidence in her, and her presence soothed his anxiety somewhat as he looked at Eliza’s closed eyes.
She felt Eliza’s pulse and checked her temperature by putting a hand on her forehead.
“There’s nae fever,” she told him. “The poison has been purged fae her body, M’Laird, but we will need tae keep an eye on her. Gie her this—” She handed him a bottle full of liquid that looked a little like tea. “See that she drinks this when she wakes up. It would be best if somebody could sit wi’ her till then tae keep an eye on her, an’ call me if she needs anythin’.”
Duncan nodded, slipped the bottle into a pouch that hung from his belt, then picked Eliza up. He felt a hint of unease as he thought of giving Eliza the tonic, since he had begun to mistrust anything that came out of a bottle, but it could not be helped; he would do anything for her.
The healer looked astonished as she opened the door for him and watched him carrying Eliza upstairs; this was not really acceptable behaviour for a man of his status.
Other servants watched in amazement as Duncan carried Eliza to her chamber. When he arrived in the bedroom, he tenderly laid her down on her bed and kissed her softly.
“I will go nowhere until you wake, my love,” he whispered. He laid his hand on hers and settled down on a chair by her side to wait until Eliza opened her eyes again.
However, the events of the day had sapped his energy severely, and after a couple of hours, Duncan fell asleep with his head pillowed on Eliza’s lap on the bed.
After a short while, Eliza opened her eyes and looked around her. The last thing she remembered was the two thugs forcing her to drink the poison, and after that, nothing. However, now she was in a warm cosy bed with Duncan resting his head on her fast asleep.
She took the chance to run her hand over his beautiful dark red hair, loving its smooth, silky feel under her palms. She was safe.
Presently, Duncan stirred and then sat up suddenly, alarmed. He turned his head to look at her, and when he saw that she was awake, he let out a great sigh of relief.
“Thank god,” he breathed, smiling. “I was so afraid you were going to leave me, Eliza.”
