Page 22 of Married to her Kilted Enemy

“She has a bump on her head too, and I’m nae taking’ any chances. I want her checked out.”

Maddison rolled her eyes. “See what I mean? I did bump me head, ’tis true, but nae so bad as him. Can ye see the lump on his forehead?” she asked Alana.

“Aye, I can,” the healer answered, looking dubiously at the large swelling. “I need tae look at that. Ye could have a concussion.”

“All right, but will ye check Maddison out first?”

“Of course. Let me see, Maddy. Come over by the lamp.” Maddison obediently followed her and stood patiently while Alana gently probed the bump on her head.

“It hardly even hurts anymore,” Maddison told her, glaring at Odhrán.

“Hmm, ’tis nae too bad. There’s nae blood. I reckon a cold compress should help.” She went and fetched some wadding, which she steeped in cold water before returning to Maddison and pressing it to the bump. “Now, hold that there and have a seat while I check the laird over.”

“Thank ye, Alana, that feels better already,” Maddison said, going to sit down, ready to hear the result of the healer’s examination of Odhrán. Alana pulled out another chair and gestured to Odhrán to sit down.

“Yell have tae sit down, me laird. I cannae reach ye while yer standin’ up,” she said.

“There’s nae need,” he remonstrated. “’Tis barely a scratch.”

“Ye’d best dae as Alana says,” Maddison put in, since there’s blood runnin’ down yer face.”

“Is there?” he asked, raising a hand to his head and looking surprised when it came back bloody.

“Aye, so I think I’d best take a look,” the healer said firmly. With a heavy sigh, Odhrán sat down, making the chair creak perilously.

“Now we’ll see who has the concussion,” he muttered, folding his arms and returning Maddison’s glare.

While Alana examined the lump on his forehead carefully and swabbed away the blood, Maddison found herself looking at her husband closely. As if they had a mind of her own, her eyes strayed over his tall frame and his long muscular legs as they stretched out in front of him. His powerful arms, packed with muscle, gripped the arms of the chair, and when she observed his face, she could not help thinking how ruggedly handsome he looked with his dark locks falling over his shoulders. A strange warm feeling stirred in her belly as the memory of their kiss popped into her head. She shook it away.

Stop it! What are ye doin’, ye fool?! First, ye’re worryin’ about his head, and then ye cannae keep yer eyes off him. Ye’re lettin’ him get under yer skin. It willnae dae!

“Well, I’m sorry tae say, me laird, that ye could well have a concussion. That is a nasty gash, all right. I’m gonnae put some salve on it tae reduce the swellin’, and I’ll place a wee bandage over it tae keep it clean. I’ll give ye some salve tae take with ye, and a tonic tae drink too, tae help strengthen ye and help keep ye awake.” She turned to Maddison. “Ye’ll need tae make sure ye keep him awake as long as ye can, and give him the tonic frequently before he sleeps.

“A bandage? Ach, that’s all I need. That’ll impress the council,” Odhrán complained bitterly.

“That as may be,” Maddison told him, unable to stop grinning. “’Tis better than getting’ an infection.”

“Ach, ye’re enjoyin’ every minute of this, are ye nae?” he said, getting up. Alana and Maddison exchanged a look behind his back.

“He’s just grumpy because he hates me bein’ right, after he dragged me here fer nae good reason,” Maddison explained.

“I told ye, I’m nae takin’ any chances,” Odhrán stubbornly insisted.

“Well, Maddy, ye ken the laird meant well, even if he acted a bit like an overbearin’ faither,” Alana joked as she packed up the tonic and salve in a cloth bag for Maddison to take away. Odhrán huffed in disgust.

“That’s one way of describin’ it, I suppose,” Maddison said, taking the bag and slinging it over her shoulder. “Thank ye for everythin’, Alana. Ye can get some sleep now, and I’ll see ye tomorrow.”

They bid each other goodnight, and Maddison and Odhrán went out into the darkness together once again.

“Can ye walk slower, please,” she asked, “ye’re makin’ me run tae keep up with ye.”

“Sorry,” he muttered and wobbled a little on his feet. Alarmed, Maddison caught his arm. “Och, I went a wee bit dizzy then,” he added, regaining his balance.

“Lean against me,” she told him, putting her arm around his waist and supporting his large frame as best she could. He put his arm around her shoulders as they went forward more slowly.

“I dinnae want tae put all me weight on ye,” he said, but he did not remove his arm.

“I’m stronger than ye think,” she assured him, feeling a strange warmth in the region of her heart that had nothing to do with the heat coming through his clothing. As they came up to the keep doors and the guards opened them and stood aside for them to enter, Maddison tried to suppress the warm sensation blossoming in her chest. But it refused to be squashed.