“Thank ye,” she said. “Now leave us, I will rest my eyes for a bit.”
Miran curtsied and left the chamber.
Yawning, Helen laid her head on the mattress beside Jamie’s arm. She said a silent prayer before she started to fade.
“Helen?”
Jamie!“I am here,” she said, opening her eyes and sitting up.
“W-what am I doing in bed?” he asked.
“Thank God ye are awake.” She raised his hand to her lips and kissed it over and over again. “Do ye remember anything?” The healer had said he might suffer some memory loss.
“I remember everything!” he growled, throwing the furs off and trying to stand.
“Nay,” she cried. “Doona get out of bed yet. Let me get the healer…”
“I can handle the pain in my skull, Helen.” He refused to listen and staggered to his feet, his eyes surprisingly clear. “Where are my clothes? My weapon belt?”
He was naked and glorious, ever the warrior.
“In the trunk. Yer weapon belt is hanging by the door.”
“Get my tartan and a fresh shirt.”
She rushed to do his bidding and helped him get dressed. “Please, Jamie. What are ye going to do?”
“Kill every fooking Munroe left alive.”
“No more killing,” she said with conviction, standing in front of him. “Laird Munroe has paid the ultimate price for his sins. And so have a dozen of his men. The rest are locked in the cells.”
“Then I will ride to Dunrobin Castle and beat yer bloody sire into submission, for he did this, I know he did.”
Helen stared at the floor. She dinna want to believe it, but Laird Munroe had been with the earl before he rode toSands Airgid.“Laird Munroe mentioned my father, Jamie. But I canna say with certainty that my sire would send him to kill ye.”
“Maybe not directly, but he dinna stop Munroe from coming. And someone told him ye were here. And when I find the culprit, he will die.”
“If my father is guilty, I will be the first to condemn him, to never speak to him again.”
Jamie cupped her cheek. “I love ye, Helen. And I never want to feel the way I did when I saw ye with that dirk at yer throat. If anything would have happened to ye, I would have died.” He winced in pain.
“Jamie—come back to bed.”
“I willna lie-abed like some old, weak woman. I want to see Kuresh. And I want answers from ye. Ye will accompany me belowstairs.”
Dragging her feet like a chastised lass, Helen followed her husband to the great hall. Kuresh and the other captains occupied the high table, and the lower tables were filled with men and women and children. When they saw Jamie and Helen, all went quiet.
Kuresh stood up. “You are a sight for sore eyes.”
Jamie smiled. “And ye make my eyes sore.”
His friend and right hand chuckled. “The blow to your head did not improve your attitude.”
“Nay, I’m in a foul mood and have the worst headache.” He addressed one of the maids. “Fetch me some ale and food.” Jamie turned to Helen and took her hand. “All will be well, sweet wife.”
After eating and drinking a cup of much-needed wine, Helen waited to see what Jamie would do. As a new laird, she understood he must make an example of anyone who disobeyed him, including her. And with the number of people in the hall, he must demonstrate his leadership even more, for whatever he did, word would spread quickly.
“Kuresh,” Jamie said.
