You gave me a fright when I couldna see you through the rain…
So he had said right after she had kissed the spot above his heart, so grateful that he had braved the raging thunderstorm to find her.
So grateful for the warmth of his body chasing away the chill of her own, the length of him hard and muscled while she snuggled naked in his arms, her shivering faded.
She had felt so safe and protected as drowsiness overcame her until he hugged her so fiercely that she started…though his tender kisses soon lulled her into a deep slumber.
Would a man who could not promise love have held her so close and caressed her to sleep?Lisette turned back from the window to find Aislinn studying her with a look of such kindness and understanding that fresh tears blurred her eyes.
“Give Conall some time, sister—we are sisters now to each other, after all.I told him what you’d said about trying to understand if he sought the comfort of other women, but that brought his most vehement response of all.He vowed to me that those wanton days were behind him, as God was his witness, and I believe him—”
“Frivolous dalliances…that’s what King Robert called them,” Lisette broke in softly, remembering the sternness in the man’s voice.“I felt then I had done a terrible thing to Conall to wed him when mayhap he prefers a life so much different than anything I could offer him.I saw at supper that night how the serving women shoved and pushed each other to get closer to him and fill his cup, his plate.If I hadn’t been there—”
“Youwerethere and you’re his wife now and owed all loyalty and respect,” Aislinn interjected, her blue eyes flashing fire.Lisette could not help thinking of the formidable sight her sister-in-law must make with a sword in hand, which made her pray fervently to be half so bold and brave.
“Have courage, Lisette!”Aislinn added as if she’d read her thoughts.“You must believe with all your heart that what Conall vowed is true…for any doubt and fear can only destroy your chance for happiness.Will you promise me that you’ll trust the honor in him?”
Lisette nodded, but that didn’t appear to be enough for Aislinn, who looked at her sternly.
“You must swear it, too—as Conall swore to God above.”
“Oui, I swear…as God is my witness.”
“Good, I’ve hope for you both now.”
Aislinn had only a moment to give her a hug before a sharp knock came at the door.Lisette glanced with her to see Sorcha standing behind a stout balding gentleman with a basket of vials slung over his arm…which reminded her of when she had first seen Conall.
He had carried such a basket, too, though he had been dressed in a friar’s habit.This man wore a plain woolen tunic and looked harried, his face sweaty and flushed as if he had lunged up the tower steps.
“Is aught amiss, Tobias?”Aislinn asked him, hastening across the room.
“Aye, Lady Campbell, word has come that villagers jumped into the swollen creek tae save some children who were playing on the bank.Two men were lost and a bairn only five years old.The laird is bringing three other wee ones for me tae tend in the infirmary that were dragged from the water just in time.Is the lady’s injury a serious one?”
“Non, not serious at all,” Lisette answered before Aislinn could say a word, though her sister-in-law quickly grabbed a roll of bandages from the basket.
“I will tend to her, Tobias.Do you have liniment?”
“Aye.”The healer rummaged in the basket and handed her a dark brown vial before moving to the door, clearly anxious to return to the infirmary.
“I’ll follow as soon as I’m done here,” Aislinn called after him, her expression somber as she turned back to Lisette.
“God help us, a terrible tragedy.Here I’ve been planning your marriage feast for this coming Saturday, which should be a joyous occasion—”
“Aislinn, wasna that our secret?”blurted Sorcha, who had been hovering near the door.She looked pale, Tobias’s news clearly distressing her, which made Aislinn open her arms as Sorcha rushed into her embrace.
“Shh, sweeting, it’s still our secret.Lisette doesn’t know everything we’ve arranged, do you?”
Lisette shook her head, though Sorcha had begun to sob.
“Those poor bairns…”
“Aye, we’ve some trying days ahead, but Tobias will help them—just as Lisette needs our help now.”
As if to distract the tenderhearted girl, Aislinn drew her to where Lisette still sat at the edge of the bed and pointed to her right ankle.
“I want you to open the liniment and pour some into your hands.Will you do that for me?”
Sorcha hiccoughed and nodded, and then sank to her knees as Aislinn quietly instructed her how to massage the oily liquid smelling of mint into Lisette’s ankle, her touch featherlight.
