Free Branded by a Warrior by Andrea Thorne Page B

trying times. She told Elisabeth, warrior or not, tears were not weakness and to let them flow. They had bonded within the walls of Broderick’s room.
    As each day passed, her fatigue lessened and slowly her strength started to return . Rhona made sure Elisabeth didn’t push herself during the day; taking small steps and making the lass take small walks around the room each day with her help.
    Each evening Broderick would come to check on her and dine with her in the privacy of his room As soon as he was done outside, he would spend the evenings talking of their families, they had never lacked for discussion .
    Broderick had taken to sleeping in the chair by the fire the past week; she hadn’t pushed the issue of obtaining her own room as she truly enjoyed his company. She was afraid if she had her own room, she’d be overly lonely. She looked forward for her evenings with Broderick. Although she knew she couldn’t continue living in his room forever, she would have to approach the subject eventually. Assuming he was waiting for her heal enough to be alone through the night she figured he was simply waiting until she was ready.
    Near a fortnight after awaking from her coma, she awoke with cheerful determination . Waking before Broderick, she padded across the room quietly as to not wake Broderick who slept in the leather chair. Walking over to his wardrobe , she quickly donned an ivory gown quietly in the corner. P ulling a green tunic overtop that was embroidered with Celtic knots along the bottom . Old Rhona had shown her the plethora of lovely fresh cl othing for her earlier this week that hung in Broderick’s wardrobe . She was overly thankful to finally have clothing to wear instead of being in a chemise when Broderick came back each night.
    Slipping on the new leather boots Rhona had made her, she brushed her hair as she thought over the words she would say to Broderick. Since she had begun to start walking again, he had made it a point to leave the room before she woke. She was starting to begin to think he was avoiding her.
    With her long coppery locks flowing over her left shoulder she plaited her hair as she thought over her words. Lifting her left arm a tad too high, she swore under her breath as pain lanced through her entire chest.
    Broderick woke to the sound of Elisabeth cursing ; opening his eyes slowly he looked over his shoulder to see her standing fully dressed in a beautifu lly fitting gown across the room . Her long silky red hair fell over her shoulder down to her waist in a single plait . The gown hid her injury from view and hugged her frame perfectly. S he looked like the picture of perfect health, she looked irresistible, there was no way to avoid saying no.
    He knew the day had come.
    “Good morrow Elisabeth, you look lovely this morning. Are ye going somewhere lass?” he asked as he slowly sat up, his neck sore from sleeping in the chair. Standing up he saw his two wolfhou nds sitting at Elisabeth’s feet by the door.
    “I was hoping you could give me a tour of the castle if you were free this morning . I’m feeling much stronger; I need to stretch my legs . Even a small walk outside these four walls, surely you understand Broderick, it has been weeks, ” she asked sweetly, smiling at him .
    Standing up , he stretched out his sore muscles and nodded and grinned , “Aye lass, I do. Would you like to walk with me to take the hounds outside for their morning run?” he asked as he walked over to his wardrobe and placed his dirk in his belt , and then walked over to the mantle to get his broadsword.
    Smiling brightly, “Aye , I would love that!”
    “Come on here lass, we need to discuss a few things first,” he crooked his finger.
    Walking gracefully over to the fireplace, she stood so closely her soft skirt brushed against his legs, “Yes Laird MacMillan?” she teased politely. S he had grown to know him quite well these past ten days; she was pleased to know he knew how to laugh