“I suppose I filled your ears with a lot of nonsense,” Garrett said, startling her. “I’ve seen people with fevers before. My father had one just before he died, as did my grandmother. It’s like listening to someone’s nightmare.”
She stared at him, wondering if he was well enough for her to ask him about Culloden. She quickly decided against it when he grimaced and his hand strayed to his bruised forehead. His memories were obviously painful, perhaps too painful to discuss right now. In a few days she would ask him, when he was more fully recovered.
“Ye did mumble a bit,” Madeleine allowed. “Well, it was more swearing, really.”
“Swearing?”
“Aye. Ye dinna have kind words to say for Gordon, or Celinda.”
Garrett seemed stunned for a moment then laughed softly, but Madeleine sensed there was no humor in it.
“Gordon, the earl of Kemsley, is my older brother,” he replied, his tone edged with bitterness. “It’s because of him I’m in the military. He bought a commission for me as a token of his high esteem and affection,” he added sarcastically.
“Ye were forced?” Madeleine asked, confused.
Garrett smiled wryly. “In a way. I could have turned it down, but our family honor demanded I accept. I’ve one year left, then I’m a free man.”
Madeleine’s mind raced. So Garrett was an aristocrat. That explained his gentlemanly ways and refined speech. She knew the English army was a common refuge for younger sons of the nobility, who usually possessed no estate of their own.
Perhaps the earl had been thinking of Garrett’s welfare and provided him with a profession, at least for a few years. Yet it was clear Garrett resented what had happened to him. Had he been forced to leave a woman behind, a mistress, a betrothed? Celinda?
Garrett’s fingers lightly touched her arm, dispelling her thoughts but not the twinge of jealousy that pricked her.
“Now I believe I should thank Gordon,” he said, staring at her intently. “This is the most pleasant assignment I’ve ever had, because I met you.” Madeleine’s eyes stared into his, and her skin tingled from his featherlight touch. Perplexed, she shifted uncomfortably in her chair and drew her arm away.
“And who is Celinda?” she asked, trying to keep her voice nonchalant. As Garrett looked at her curiously, she had the strangest feeling he could sense how furiously her heart was pounding.
“Celinda is Gordon’s wife,” he replied. “We courted for a time, but she opted for my brother’s title.”
“I’m—I’m sorry,” Madeleine stammered, surmising she had touched a raw nerve. No wonder he had cursed Celinda’s name. To be so slighted, and for his own brother! How terrible. Garrett must have truly loved Celinda to express such emotion in his delirium.
Discomforted by that thought, she rose from the chair. “Forgive me for prying, Garrett. Ye really should rest now.” She gasped as he caught her hand.
“Celinda was a youthful fancy, nothing more, Madeleine,” he said, stroking her trembling fingers with his thumb.
“Ye dinna have to explain—”
“There’s no one else,” he insisted, leaning up on his elbow.
Why was he telling her this? she wondered wildly, her pulse racing. She didn’t care, or did she?
“What of you, Maddie Fraser?” Garrett asked suddenly, causing her heart to skip a beat. “An enchanting woman like yourself—”
“Humph! Ah, excuse me, captain,” Sergeant Fletcher said loudly, clearing his throat as he pushed open the door. “I’ve brought you some more hot tea.”
Madeleine snatched her hand away as she felt her cheeks firing bright pink. She glanced from the grizzled soldier to Garrett. His eyes clearly showed his disappointment at the sudden interruption.
“Lie back with ye now,” she said briskly, attempting to mask her rampant emotions. She smoothed the tartan spread and stepped away from the bed, threading her fingers together nervously. “Ye must see that he gets some rest, Sergeant Fletcher,” she advised, passing by him as she walked quickly to the door. “If ye need anything, ye’ve only to ask.”
“Madeleine,” Garrett called out to her.
She leaned for an instant on the door frame and drew a steadying breath before she turned around. “Aye?”
“I owe you and Glenis my life. I’m grateful to you.”
She felt a dizzy rush of warmth as his eyes bored into hers, and her knees grew weak. Embarrassed by his sincerity, she flashed him a small smile, then fled the room.
Madeleine leaned against the wall just outside the room and closed her eyes. She could not deny that his words had pleased her.
