Free April Holthaus - The MacKinnon Clan 01 by The Honor of a Highlander Page B

eyes, he lifted up one of her hands and held it in his. He leaned forward and placed soft kisses on the back of her hand and whispered, “Dinna leave me, lass.”
     

Chapter 8
                  Annella woke from a shot of pain searing from her chest. She looked around and saw Rory looking down at her and could see the tenderness in his eyes. She had been laying her head on his lap like a pillow. Knowing that this was completely inappropriate, she tried to move away.
    “Nay dinna move. It will only hurt worse.”
    He took his hand and placed it on the top of her head and gently glided his thumb across her forehead. 
    “Ye had me worried, lass. I was no’ sure ye would make it through the night. I ken ye are in pain. I’m no’ sure what I can do for ye out here. We dinna have a healer or maid here to help ye. We will ride back to Dunstan as quickly as we can. My mother will be there to help ye. She is a healer.” He bent over and picked up a small jug. “I have brought ye some water to drink.” He held the container up to her lips to allow her to drink. Spilling some water down her chin, he used the sleeve of this leine shirt and patted her face and neck dry.
    She took a few more sips and looked away so that Rory could not see the tears rolling down her cheeks. She felt humiliated and angry. She did not want Rory to see her like this and she did not know how to tell him that Stewart forced her to marry him.
    What made matters worse was she needed some private time and she knew that he was going to have to help her. For a man to help a woman to the privy was unheard of but she had to swallow her pride and ask for the assistance she needed.
    With a shallow breath she opened her mouth but nothing came out. Rory gave her a puzzled look.
    “What is it, my lady?”
    “I need some privacy,” she faintly said.
    “Ah.” Rory looked around not sure what else to say. Normally a maid would help a lady in these matters but there was no one around. “I can bring ye, my lady.” He stood up from the makeshift pallet and as gently as he could he picked her up.
    She coughed several times, moaned out and grabbed her chest. “I think my rib is broken. The coughing makes the pain worse.”
    “We will have to bandage it up. It will feel better once it is.”
    They walked out of the tent to see the men breaking their fast.
    “Good morning, my laird. I have a plate of cheese and bread for ye and some warm broth for Lady Annella,” Angus said.
    “Thank ye, Angus. I am taking Lady Annella out for some privacy. Make sure nay one of ye leaves the camp.”
    “Aye, my laird.”
    In Rory’s arms, he carried her over to a small brook and carefully sat her down on a rock. “I can turn around if ye like but I will no’ be leaving ye here alone. I dinna ken this area and dinna want to take my chances of someone coming upon ye.”
    Not wanting to argue because Rory did have a sound point, she nodded with agreement. She slowly unraveled the plaid from around her shoulders and tried to lift up the skirt from her torn chemise but she was too sore. “My laird, I can no’…”
    Rory turned around and saw her struggling.
    “Here my lady, I will help ye but I promise I will look away.” He turned his head and felt for the seam of the bottom of her skirt. He held it up so that she could relieve herself.
    This has to be the most embarrassing thing e’er. “I am finished,” she said feeling completely humiliated.
    Rory dropped her skirt and picked up the plaid from the ground and wrapped her up in it again and lifted her into his arms. As much as she felt embarrassed by needing to depend on him like this, she enjoyed being held by him. They walked back to the tent in silence.
    “I will be back, my lady. I need to get ye some bandages for yer ribs and I will get ye yer broth that Angus made for ye.”
    “Thank ye, my laird,” she whispered faintly.
    “Call me Rory, my lady.”
    He smiled. She felt her breaths quicken. Not