“So we do.” His free hand reached for hers, and he intertwined his fingers with hers, causing a swell of affection in her chest.
“So, who goes first then?” she asked, nervous about what she wanted to tell him and how she was going to do it.
“Ladies first,” he said with a nod to her. She took a breath, turned her face toward their path and froze. “Bryce,” she said, pulling on his hand. “Look there! What is that?”
Bryce frowned, following her gaze, and dread sank low in her belly. It was a pile of maroon cloth, and it looked like a dress.
Nae, nae another body,she said to herself.
“Come with me, lass,” he said, and together, they hurried their steps toward the pile until Lorna stopped and screamed.
“Dear God,” she cried. “It’s Kyla!”
* * *
Bryce wondered if there was a dark force working against this village. Something like a curse which hung low over it all, sending down more damage each time the clan was able to scrabble together a modicum of peace. His heart pumping fast, Bryce leaned down to Kyla’s form, and with a trembling hand, he reached out to touch her face.
Lorna had already stopped, and she was kneeling too; pale and silent. He silently thanked God when he could feel Kyla’s breath against his hand.
“She lives, Lorna. Donnae worry.”
“Thank God,” she said grasping onto his arm and reaching out to touch Kyla’s shoulder.
“But wait,” he said, stopping her. “Donnae touch her.” He put a hand to Lorna’s face. “Donnae look, Lorna. Let me examine her. Make sure there is naething I can do tae help her.”
“I can help,” she said softly. “Ye donnae need tae push me away.” Her face was even paler, and her lower lip was trembling, but he could see the confidence and strength in her eyes.
He kissed her cheek. “I ken that ye are able, and if it was anyone else, I would let ye. But this is Kyla. Yer dear friend. Anyone, even meself, would nae be able tae take such a scene. Let me do this.”
She nodded, and turned away, giving Bryce the chance to kneel down and look over Kyla’s body. He searched for a stab wound or a cut, like the ones Conan and Mrs. Creech had endured, but he saw nothing. No blood either, at least not along her torso or legs. It was her face that was darkened and bruised, having been badly beaten.
“Bloody Hell,” he said softly. “Ye poor lass. Who could have done this tae ye?”
“Will she be all right?” Lorna called from behind him.
“Aye, lass, she is just hurt. Unconscious. I will need tae carry her back. Can ye pull the horses?”
“Aye, I can!” she called, sounding relieved that she could do something to help. Taking as much care as he could, Bryce slid his arms under Kyla’s body, and, protecting her head, he lifted her into his arms until her head lolled against his shoulder.
“Let’s go.” Together, they walked along the green toward the keep. Bryce’s muscles strained, but his jaw clenched in determination. He would do this and save her friend. Even though the current murders had caused lots of pain for many people, this one was even more personal. He couldn’t bear the thought of Lorna facing more pain, losing her dear friend.
It took half an hour to get to the keep, but as soon as Bryce called for the gates to open, he found a guard and said, “Get Tobias from the English fort. Tell him to come now. It is an emergency.”
“Aye,” the guard said, grabbing another and rushing off. Bryce burst through the doors to the main hall and found a long settee to place Kyla down upon. It was not lost upon him that it was the same place they had laid Mrs. Creech when they brought her body back.
“Lorna, ye should find a maid. I think we need hot water and cloth. Maybe a little brandy as well.”
Lorna had given the horses to another guard just outside the castle, and he could tell she was fretting, ready to do something more. “Aye, I will do that right away.”
He waited with Kyla for a little while until Lorna returned with a maid. She carried cloth and brandy while the maid carried a bowl of hot water. “Here we are,” the maid said, and Lorna thanked her and then let her take her leave.
“Are ye sure ye wish tae do this?” Bryce asked, stilling her hand with his as she reached for Kyla’s face.
“Aye, lad. I want tae do this. Kyla needs me.” She took a breath and then began to brush a warm cloth on Kyla’s face clearing away the dried blood from a few of the cuts. Bryce watched her lovingly clean Kyla until Kyla began to stir.
“Bryce,” Lorna said excitedly, and they watched with relief as Kyla groaned and tried to sit up. Lorna gently pushed down on her friend’s shoulders.
“Rest, Kyla. Just rest. Ye were hurt, but ye need tae relax now.”
