Page 43 of Claimed Highland Brides

21

HEALING AND REPAIR

D elwyn sat up in bed, determined to make it to breakfast this morning. Every time he’d tried it in the past week, Jamesina had beaten him to it by bringing up a tray of food and settling it across him in a very determined manner. He found that he missed the rest of the family. Although they made a point to drop in and see him at some point during the day, he was mostly stuck, with a mountain of books and an attentive wife.

Not that I’m complaining .

As much as he begged Jamesina not to exert herself, she insisted on doing things for him. After Aifric had sewn him up, they had fashioned a bed for him in the back of a wagon and brought him home. For the first three days, all he did was sleep, and for the next two, it was all he could do to turn over in bed. But it had been three weeks now and all he felt was a persistent and maddening itch. His fever had passed and his wound was closed. He wanted out of the bed.

Jamesina would not let him.

He quickly shuffled to the side of the bed, snatching up his breeches and a sark and putting them on as fast as he could. He picked up his cane and made his way to the door, opening it to find Jamesina right outside.

They both yelled in surprise.

“Delwyn!”

“Jamesina!”

“Ye scairt me!”

“What were you doing outside the door?”

“I was…debating.” Her cheeks pinkened becomingly and he just watched her in fascination, ready to patiently wait until she found the words she was searching for. “I ken ye’re tired of staying in yer chambers and I thought I would come and escort ye tae breakfast.”

“That’s a sterling idea!” He raised his cane. “I was just on the way down myself.”

“But then if’n ye go doon to breakfast, ye’ll likely be tired afterwards and I thought we might…” Her blush deepened and her lashes swept downward, hiding her eyes.

“Might…?” He was going to make her say it.

“Might…indulge in some croodling...” Her cheeks were literally flaming and he took pity on her.

“We can do both. I promise. I am never too tired for that.”

Her brow furrowed. “Are ye sure?”

“Yes, I am. Come.” He held out his arm. “Escort me to the dining hall. We shall walk as slowly as possible and make many stops to rest. It shall be fine.”

She sighed but did as he asked.

There was a shout of welcome as they entered the dining room, where they found the rest of the family already seated. Aileen pulled out the chair next to her and Delwyn took the seat while Jamesina sat on his other side. He smiled at everyone, glad to see them all again.

“How are ye feeling this morning, mo charaid ?” Daividh asked in lieu of good morning.

“I am quite hale and hearty, good sir.”

“Tha’s guid. Ye can stop sleeping yer days away and get back tae work.” He grinned at Delwyn cheekily as, during the last week, the invalid had insisted on reading and answering correspondence from his bed.

He picked up the plate of bannocks, passing it to Jamesina as Mrs. Fitz poured him a bowl of parritch. Jamesina said the bannocks settled her stomach so that she did not feel so nauseous although more often than not, she lost that battle in the mornings.

“Did you already…?” He whispered in her ear and she nodded.

“I drank some water earlier so as to get it oot o’ the way.”

“Very wise, my dear. Here, have my oatmeal porridge. I shall get another bowl for myself.”

“No ye shallnae!” Jamesina snapped. “Ye’ll sit right there and eat yer food.”

Before she could finish her tirade, Mrs. Fitz placed a bowl of parritch in front of her as well, effectively cutting short the argument.

Fenella sniggered, looking from Delwyn and Jamesina to Daividh and Fiona, who were holding hands beneath the table. She sighed. “’Tis unfortunate tha’ Maisie and I have decided tae be spinsters forever because ye both look vera happy together.”

Fiona gaped at her. “When did ye decide tha’ and why?”

Maisie regarded her in disbelief. “Are ye blind? Did ye no see how much trouble it took for both o’ ye to be married. And Maegan? She ran away in the night ower tha’ good-for-nothing man.”

Delwyn shifted uneasily. “We will find her.”

“She doesnae want to be found. Wha’ did she say in her note? I have gone seeking the adventure we promised ourselves we would find. Dinnae look for me. Ye wilnae find me. Enjoy yer staid and boring life,” Fenella quoted from memory adding of course some humour to brighten things.

“She was upset.”

In truth, Delwyn was deeply embarrassed and hurt by his sister’s actions but he recognized that he had done all he could. He could not force her to live a life she did not want.

“Aye, she was, ower a man. That is why Maisie and me are never falling in love.”

Jamesina laughed. “Famous last words, my loves!”