13
When they dismounted, Abi came running up and threw herself into Fraser’s arms. He crushed her to his body, and they stood in silence for a while, enjoying the happiness of being together.
“I am sorry, Abigail,” Fraser whispered. “If I had been a better father this would never have happened. I promise to do better in the future. Say you forgive me.”
“I forgive you,” she sighed, and snuggled further against him. “I love you more than anyone else in the world. I would forgive you for anything, and you must forgive me for running away.”
“I drove you away,” he said sadly. “When I think of all the times I screamed at you for no reason at all—and I love you so much—I went mad thinking about how they might be treating you.”
“I know Father,” she said lovingly, standing on tiptoe to kiss him. “I was so worried I would never see you again, especially since we parted with such harsh words. Now we will consider it forgotten, do you agree? But you know, I would not be here without Leana. She is a wonderful woman, Father. She protected me and fought for me. I cannot tell you how much I admire and love her.”
Fraser smiled. “I have never met anyone like her,” he said admiringly.
Leana was absolutely exhausted, so she made no objection when Fraser swept her up in his arms and carried her upstairs. She sighed and leaned her head on his shoulder, then closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation of being rocked like a baby in its cradle, sheltered against Fraser’s broad chest. She had thought that she would always feel vulnerable after the attack, always looking over her shoulder, but she was safe in his arms.
He laid her down gently on a big four-poster bed then sat down beside her and looked into her bright eyes.
“I will send a maid to wash you, then you must eat,” he told her sternly. “I am the Laird here and I give the orders!”
“Yes, M’Laird,” she said obediently. “I am very hungry.”
“One more thing. Abigail asked if she could sleep with you. What shall I tell her?”
“Tell her the bed is big enough for two,” Leana laughed. But I wish it was you instead.
Just then the chambermaid came in with clean hot water and towels, and it was only then that Leana realized how dirty she was. Fraser stood up, blowing her a kiss as he left.
The maid was a youngster named Carrie. She was brisk, cheerful, and efficient, and soon Leana was washed and clad in a spotless white nightgown, then a breakfast of scrambled eggs, bannocks, cheese, and porridge was brought in. Leana made short work of it, since she had eaten almost nothing in the past few hours.
Then, as she was about to turn over and go to sleep, Abi came in, grinning.
“You look wonderful!” she breathed, as she bounced into the bed. Leana put an arm around her shoulder and they lay back, savoring the quiet and the softness of the mattress.
“Ye’re no sae bad yersel’!” Leana laughed.
Abi cuddled into Leana’s shoulder and they lay silent for a while. “Is this not lovely?” she whispered. “But would you not rather have my father lying next to you? I saw you kissing at the camp.”
Leana blushed, and shook her head. “We were a’ a bit het up then. Naebody was thinkin’ straight an’ neither were we. It wis...”
“A moment of madness?” Abi suggested.
“Aye, that,” Leana agreed, relieved.
“I will take your word for it,” Abi agreed mischievously.
“Go to sleep!” Leana laughed.
Abi yawned and closed her eyes, falling instantly asleep, but Leana lay awake for awhile, thinking how wonderful it had been to be carried in Fraser’s arms. Abi was right. She would give her eye teeth to have his big, masculine presence lying beside her so that she could turn over and feel, not a soft slim body like her own, but a hard-muscled chest under her palm and rasping whiskers against her face.
Presently, she drifted off to sleep, but it was troubled and restless as she imagined herself back amongst the savages again.
She did not realize that she had dozed off till she woke up and found herself lying between the cool sheets of the big four-poster bed. Abi had gone, and she had no clean clothes to wear. She wondered what she should do next when she noticed that there was a bell pull beside the bed. She tugged on it, expecting a maid, and was startled when Fraser came in, smartly dressed and looking as though the sun was shining out of him.
“How are you feeling?” he asked. “I was worried about you.”
“I am weel enough,” she replied, gazing longingly at him.
He sat on a chair beside the bed.
