Duncan could say none of that. The older man was right. His obligation was not to her alone. With difficulty, he laid her back, wiping the corners of her lips. He was here under the laird’s command; it was his duty.
“’Tis good that ye found her when ye did. Her wound isnae deep but she must have fainted from the shock. I will clean an’ treat it an’ she will be taken tae yer tent. Ye shall find her there.”
Numbly, Duncan nodded.
“Ye’re certain about her?” He asked once Duncan was set to move.
“I am,” he said in a strong voice.
“It doesnae strike ye as odd, her pale complexion upon her arrival. The manner she came intae yer life…”
“Nae. Heal her,” Duncan said through clenched teeth. “Please.”
“Of course, as a healer it is me duty, nay matter what.”
Duncan nodded and stormed off to count his losses and send his warriors home.
“I was just comin’ fer ye,” Craig said, sidling up to him. “Why did ye run like the devil was after ye?”
They walked toward the pyre together. “Jo,” Duncan spat.
“That’s right. I havenae seen her.”
Duncan glanced at his right-hand man. His clothes hung on for dear life. His hair was plastered to his head. His face spotted purplish bruises. He wasn’t moving his formerly broken hands freely anymore.
Yet, there was an insistent, victorious smile on his lips.
“Ye seem happy. Were ye nae here?”
Craig’s smile widened, “Aye. I was. If it werenae fer ye, we would have been smothered in our sleep. As it happens, we only lost four men.”
Duncan paused, his throat tightening. “Four?”
Craig shook his head. “’Tis nae yer fault Duncan, we did the best we could. I checked, and the healer says the wounded can be cured. Ye should celebrate. Ye saved us.”
Duncan looked down at his feet, his lips pressed into a straight, tight line. “Naethin’ tae celebrate. We still have tae inform their families...” He strode toward the erected pyres. He did not wait to share drinks with the men as he normally would have. Instead, he hurried to leave with Craig fast on his heels.
Then he swiveled. Craig hastened his steps to follow. “Ye always drink tae their honor. What has happened?”
“Jo.”
Craig finally heard. His steps faltered. “Gods. What has happened tae her??”
“She had a bad fall,” Duncan said.
“D-Duncan,” Grace muttered.
A rasping voice answered, “I’m here.”
“Hold me,” she murmured.
“I am.”
“Tighter, I’m falling.”
“I am.”
Warmth flooded Grace. Her eyes shot open, the nonsense she’d been mumbling dying on her lips. She could not see anything. Her vision was completely blocked by a hard body. Arms like boulders were wrapped around her. She had a splitting ache at the side of her head.
