“Follow me.” They hurried to his quarters and collected a spool of thread and a needle. “Take these to Duncan. I’ll grab whisky on the way.”
She nodded and as she was on her way, she remembered something else and stopped. “I’ll need a flame, too.”
Honey dipped his head in acknowledgement and said, “I’ll be right there.”
In the galley, Duncan was sitting on the floor, slumped against the wall. She ran over and knelt beside him. “I’m here.” Loud footsteps behind her let her know that Honey was there, too.
“Here’s the whisky.”
She took the flask from him and handed it to Duncan. “Here, take a long swallow. Ye’re going to need it.”
While he did as he was told, Seonag took hold of his hand in her lap and gently unwrapped the blood-soaked cloth. She looked at Honey, “Can you hold the needle over the flame until it’s verra hot?”
He nodded. She took the flask of whisky from Duncan and poured a splash over the wound.
“Argh!” He ground out from the pain.
“I’m verra sorry.”
“Here’s the needle.” Honey handed her the long piece of steel.
“Thank ye.” she said, then took the flask again, and poured a wee bit over the needle to ensure it was clean, then handed the flask back to Duncan. “Drink the rest of this.”
Then she went to work. Gently as she could, with the needle threaded, with one hand, she brought the skin together and started stitching. With each pierce of his skin, Duncan bit out a curse. She flinched with each one, but couldn’t blame him. Her stitches were crude, but they would suffice to staunch the bleeding. She was used to stitching needlepoint, not skin.
“Can ye pass me a square of linen? She asked Honey. “Tear another one into strips, please.”
She wrapped Duncan’s finger tightly and tied it in place with the strips Honey passed to her. “Ye should rest up.”
He struggled to his feet. “I’m fine. I’ve got food to prepare.”
“Ye’re a bit pale, Duncan,” Honey admitted. “It may be best for ye to take a bit of time to gather yer wits.”
“The men need to eat,” he said quietly, as he slumped against the wall for balance.
“I’ll take care of the preparations and getting the men fed. No one will miss their meal.”
Both men narrowed their eyes at her, their mouths set into thin lines.
“The lad’s right, Duncan. Go rest.”
“Cap’n, I—”
“Now!” Honey boomed. “That’s an order. Sean will finish the meal.”
Chapter Nine
Colin helped Duncanregain his balance and walked with him back to the sleeping quarters. If he didn’t take him there himself, he had no doubt Duncan would find something else to do.
While on the way there, Colin couldn’t help but think about how Sean took charge of the situation. He handled it with the ease and the poise of someone much older. And his skill with a needle and thread left him with more questions than answers. He was definitely impressed.
After handing Duncan the refilled flask of whisky, and watching as he climbed into one of the cots swinging from the rafters, Colin left him to go check in with Sean.
He found the lad still in the galley, looking over a large pot of something boiling over the fire.
“Where did ye learn how to mend wounds like that?”
Sean jumped and squealed in surprise.
