Page 28 of In Bed with a Highland Brute

Oh, I am a fool. I am pretending tae faint in front of a healer.

It was too late to change tactic now though, and Eloise had to commit to the act. She laid perfectly still, making her breath shallow and reasonably fast. She felt Callie’s warm hand move to her cheek and her forehead, checking for a temperature, then she checked her breathing.

“Is it the liquor?” Ian asked. “We should move her.”

“Aye, it could be the liquor. How much did she have?” Callie asked in panic.

“God only kens how much I filled up her cup as ye two asked her an insatiable number of questions.”

“Us?” Aila asked with innocence. “Ye were the one tae fill up her cup, Ian.”

“She drank it.”

“What in God’s name is going on?” The sudden firm voice caught Eloise’s attention. She had to stop her body from flinching as she heard Murdoch’s deep tones.

Callie’s hand left her face and Murdoch replaced her, a large hand on her shoulder.

“Step back, Callie,” Murdoch pleaded.

“I am the healer among us.”

“And I am her betrothed.” Murdoch leaned down toward her, his face coming so near that his scent wafted toward her. He must have walked out in the garden near heavily pollinated flowers, as her nose began to tickle.

Oh nay. I cannae sneeze when I’m supposed tae be unconscious.

She held her breath, terrified she would be discovered at any moment.

“It could be the liquor,” Aila confessed in a hurry. “She drank quite a lot.”

“Then I shall get her tae our chamber tae sleep it off.” Murdoch’s hand reached for Eloise again.

“Wait… yer chamber? Ye said our chamber?” Avery’s voice was firm once more. “Dinnae tell me –”

“Oh, Avery, calm yerself,” Callie said dismissively. “If he is going tae marry yer sister, then he’ll be doing much more than just sharing her chamber.”

Everyone laughed apart from Avery and Murdoch. Eloise was rolled into Murdoch’s arms, but coming so near him, that tickling feeling under her nose only grew worse. She tried to keep herself as limp as possible as he lifted her from the floor. Her head rested against his shoulder, her arms loose, with one at her side and one curled in her lap. The fast-paced music started to fade, suggesting they were leaving the room.

Behind them, voices followed. Clearly, their friends were reluctant to let them go just yet.

“God’s blood, this is a mess,” Avery muttered.

“Husband, if ye are just going tae curse all night, go and have yerself a drink.” Callie attempt to dismiss him. “We need tae care fer Eloise at this time.”

“Ye think I am nae trying tae dae that?”

Ian abruptly launched into song.

“Oh, tae celebrate a wedding, a Scotsman’s wedding!

We’ll drink, we’ll dance, and a merry bunch we’ll be.”

The traditional tune filled the air as he laughed warmly. “Nae quite an accurate song, is it?”

“Ian!” Aila must have elbowed him once more for he ‘oomph-ed’ but a second later.

“If ye would excuse me, I am going tae get Eloise somewhere she can rest. She needs tae be alone,” Murdoch pleaded with them. “Avery, if ye wish tae be of use, find the castle healer.”

“I am a healer. I can look at her,” Callie insisted.