Page 77 of The Ruthless Laird's Virgin
Bran was the first to come bounding in as he headed straight for Eleanor and jumped up with his paws on her lap, nearly knocking her over.
“Down, boy,” Eleanor laughed as she received an onslaught of kisses.
How is Callum? Do I dare look for him?
Her heart ached a little, but Eleanor was glad that Bran had not been worse off. His front paw was bandaged, and he seemed to be bearing his weight well. Other than that, he was the picture of health.
“Down, ye silly beast.” Fiona shut the door behind her and came into the room carrying a tray. “It is good to see both of ye awake again.” She placed the tray on the table in the center of the room and reached for one of the glasses. Carrying the glass over to the bed, she handed it to Marion.
Marion accepted the glass, but frowned when she caught sight of the deep red liquid that was thick enough to coat the sides with a thin film. “And this, Fiona?” she asked with a worried note in her voice.
“Ye lost a lot of blood, lass. Ye will have to drink this mixture three times a day to replenish the blood that ye lost,” Fiona explained and walked back to the tray where she began to fiddle with pouches of herbs.
The concern in the young girl’s face only grew deeper as she eyed the glass warily. “But… but whose blood am I drinkin’?” She seemed a little nauseous as she spoke and held the glass at arm’s length.
Filling the chambers with peals of laughter, Fiona chortled to herself when she finally regained her composure. “So, ye think that I have bled someone else so that I may save yer life?” She shook her head in amusement.
Marion’s face grew slightly paler.
“Daenae fuss, lass, it isnae blood that I have ye drinkin’. It is a root from the spice traders. It comes from across the ocean. I cannae tell ye how it will help, but it will. Trust me and drink yer fill.” Fiona smiled to herself and muttered under her breath. “Imagine, me bleedin’ someone else just to save her life.”
Running her tongue over her lips once again, Marion swallowed before lifting the glass to her lips and taking a sip.
“And?” Fiona asked as she watched intently with her eyebrows raised.
It took Marion a moment to speak again, but when she did, her lips turned up in a pleasant smile. “It is sweet, a little earthy like dirt, but also sweet with a hint of somethin’ else.” She lifted the glass to her lips and took another long sip.
Fiona tapped the side of her nose with her finger and smiled. “That would be the spices that I added. The root, on its own, has a very earthy flavor despite its vibrant color. I added more herbs that will both please and heal ye in time.” She seemed pleased with herself before turning to Eleanor. “And ye, Mistress, ye need to return to yer chambers. There is a very important someone waitin’ to see ye.”
Eleanor’s heart leaped into her chest as she thought of Callum. Had he been waiting for her to return to her chambers all this time? She quickly got to her feet, feeling a rush of energy as she headed toward the door. She had been hurt that he had not come looking for her, but she now looked forward to seeing him again.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Eleanor raced toward her chambers, feeling her pulse race along with her feet. She had thought that Callum had forgotten about her, but he had come through in the end. She just knew that he would not have forgotten about her, not after everything that they had been through.
I think I care for him.
The thought both scared and invigorated her as she took the steps two at a time.
Her heart suddenly screamed as her lips spread into a smile. After everything that they had been through, she finally realized that she loved him more than life itself. There had been a moment when he lay so still on the ground that she had felt as if she had not been able to breathe. Yet it was only now that she longed to see him that she realized just how deep her feelings for the man truly went.
It has to mean that I love him, does it nae?
Life itself seemed pointless if she was not by his side. It seemed strange to her to admit it, but she needed him more than the air that she breathed.
Rounding a corner, Eleanor could see that her chamber doors were open. She wasted no time heading directly toward them and stepping inside. “Callum, I…” Her words froze along with her body as a pang of disappointment gnawed at her gut.
It isnae him.
Coming to his feet, Andrew smiled at her with a bandage tightly wrapped around his throat. “I am sorry, lass, but I am nae the Laird. I hope ye are nae too disappointed.” His same boyish smile lingered around his lips as he placed one hand on the table beside him for support.
Her knees felt too weak to move, but her disappointment was quickly replaced by relief as she hurried forward and embraced her brother, throwing her arms around his shoulders. “Andrew, it is so good to see ye.” She shut her eyes tightly and drew him closer, breathing in the scent of fresh herbs that had been used to dress his wound.
“Careful now, or Fiona might ruin us both if we destroy all of her hard work.” He laughed and gently pushed her away.
Taking a step back, Eleanor smiled at him. “I daenae care if she turns the world on its head, it feels like I have waited a long time to see me brother again.” She felt a mixture of sadness and relief when she noticed just how many bandages had been used to secure his neck.
He could have died.
