They rode through the town, stopping next to a small dress shop, one that Jeane had looked into the day before.
“Ye can buy whatever ye want,” Fergus said easily.
Jeane looked at him. “I cannae pay for it. I havenae received my salary yet.”
“I’ll make sure to fix that,” Fergus assured her. “For now, I’ll take care of ye, lass.”
Jeane felt a thrill go up her spine. She had practically been bred to be a wife, but she’d always thought it a chore. She’d never thought of it as something to look forward to. Having someone to take care of her…
It was an intoxicating thought.
Jeane tried on only one dress before she started to feel nauseous, her head still pounding from the ale. She placed three dresses of the same style in different colors into Fergus’ hands and exited through the back, worried she would vomit.
She did not, in the end, and Fergus came out of the back shaking his head.
“Cannae handle yer ale, lass?”
She did not respond, and he took her hand, leading her back to the stables and placing the knapsack full of supplies and now, her dresses over the horse before helping her up.
The ride back to the castle was rough on Jeane’s unstable stomach, and she was so grateful they were back when they arrived that she could have kissed the ground.
She fought a groan as she finally got off the horse and prayed she would not have to ride for a few days.
Fergus left his horse with the stable boy and led Jeane to her chambers, right next to Lottie’s.
Jeane walked into the room, seeing the large four-poster bed and the furs lining it. It was just guest quarters, but it was huge, bigger than her bedroom back at McKay Castle.
“If ye need any help undressin’, Molly will help ye,” Fergus told her. “Simply call for her.”
“I can manage meself,” Jeane said quickly.
“I’m sure ye can.” He turned to leave, but Jeane called his name. She did not want him to go. She wanted him to see her. Wanted him to want her.
He turned to face her.
“Thank ye for comin’ up with that name for me.” The words came out before she knew precisely what she was going to say. She just wanted him near, but she was indeed grateful for his discretion.
“I have a stake in keepin’ yer secret now. If yer father finds out where ye are, he will take ye, and I need ye around.”
“To heal yer sister.”
Fergus looked down at her intently for a moment.
She thought maybe he would say something further. Shehopedhe might say something further. About maybe how he wanted her, needed her, just as much as she feared she wanted and needed him. But why would he say that? He only wanted her for her healing prowess, nothing further.
“Aye,” he answered simply.
Jeane huffed out a breath. “And I get nay say in the matter?”
“Nay,” he said with a little smirk.
“I have a condition, then.”
Jeane was angry, and she was not quite sure why. She supposed it was because she had been taken, used, and gotten little in return but some harsh words. She wanted… more.
“Did I nae make meself clear, lass? Ye’ll stay in this castle and heal me sister, conditions or nae.”
Jeane tilted up her chin.
