Page 56 of In Bed with a Highland Brute

“Nay. They could from the Douglas clan, sent tae cause us trouble.”

Eloise was not so certain. Those men had come for her. They’d grabbed her in the garden when they could have harmed anyone else at any point. She feared this could be something much more personal.

What if those men were hired by the likes of Stewart? Aye, it’s a mad idea, but is it nae possible?

The thought that she could be responsible for Murdoch being stabbed made her feel sick. She fought the bile that threatened to rise in her throat.

“Clyde!” she shouted for him. “It’s Murdoch. We need tae get him tae the healers.”

Clyde was already sprinting down the path toward her before she could finish her words. He hurried to her side and reached for Murdoch’s wound.

“Argh! Careful, brother,” Murdoch hissed at the pain.

“Ye’re bleeding, badly.”

“Then tighten the bloody tourniquet further,” Murdoch ordered.

“Hold on tight, brother,” Clyde urged.

Eloise reached for Murdoch’s hand, giving him something to hold onto as Clyde reached for the belt. He adjusted it then pulled it down harshly, in a way that Eloise had been too nervous to do. An almighty roar escaped Murdoch’s lips as he gripped Eloise’s hand.

“That’s better. Right, I am going tae lift ye,” Clyde urged. “Are ye ready fer this? Eloise, I’ll take him. Ye need tae look after that ankle.”

She nodded, feeling all of a sudden so useless when she wanted nothing more than to take this pain away from him.

Clyde shifted Murdoch’s good arm around his shoulders then lifted him from the ground. Fergus appeared, running toward the two of them, with fear in his eyes.

“Nay, nay. Me boy.” Fergus’ voice was tight with emotion.

Eloise went straight to him, taking Fergus’ hand.

“Wilson and Callie are the best ones tae help him now.” She fought her tears, determined to be strong despite the pain.

“Aye, aye. Ye are right.” Fergus sniffed, clearly trying to fight his own temptation to cry for his son as Murdoch was led away by Clyde. “Guards! Follow me! We are tae hunt the whole ground. If there’s any more of these men lying about, I wish tae find them. Follow me.”

For a brief second, Eloise glimpsed the younger warrior that Fergus had once been. He led his guards away, striding out fiercely in front of them all, his face flushed red.

Eloise hurried to chase after Clyde and Murdoch, struggling with her ankle to catch up with them both. She rounded the two hooded men on the ground that were surrounded by guards, wishing to keep as wide a berth of them as possible.

Why are they here?

She saw it all again so easily in her mind, how they had blocked her path and one had reached for her. She had fought against them but was not strong enough as they both tussled with her, trying to keep her still, then covering her mouth to silence her.

Eloise eventually caught up with Clyde and Murdoch as they left the gardens, heading toward the healer’s cottage by the river. Murdoch said nothing. He walked on silently, his body at a crooked angle as he leaned on his brother.

“Come on, Murdoch,” Clyde whispered repeatedly. “We’re almost there. Nearly there now.”

Eloise raced at their side, until they reached the cottage. Avery stood outside of the cottage, watching on as Callie and Wilson discussed the plants they had found in the river. All three heads turned to face Murdoch as they approached.

She hurried ahead, hobbling on her ankle to tell them of what had happened in fragmented and panicked sentences.

“He’s been stabbed. In the shoulder. Two men, he tried tae stop them from… He’s hurt.” She waved back at Murdoch.

“In here.” Wilson beckoned them all into the cottage.

The bed Eloise had been laid in before had now been changed. Clyde and Avery laid Murdoch down on the bed as Callie and Wilson discussed the best course of action.

“Take off his shirt,” Wilson urged. “We need tae get a good look at this wound.”