Page 42 of Only a Highlander Will Do

Gwendolyn smiled. “They are all recovering well. Mrs Bagley has been helping Mrs Honey in the kitchen. The two of them are like sisters they never knew they had. In fact, the two of them came up with a new assortment of spices and herbs with which to flavour this broth, hoping it would help you regain your strength and ease your pain.”

“It worked.” She did feel less pain now. “And Higgins? Ginny?”

“Your Higgins had a broken leg. Tormod sent for the barber in Kilmuir. The barber set the bone and your steward is doing much better though he must remain in bed for a while until the bone sets.” Gwendolyn offered a reassuring smile. “Ginny was hit on the head by a falling piece of stone. She is working through her nausea and dizziness, but is expected to make a full recovery.”

Fiona breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m so grateful for all the MacLeods have done to help them.”

Gwendolyn’s expression turned solemn. “You, Mrs Bagley, Higgins, and Ginny are all MacLeods now. We will do anything for family.”

Though Fiona had been trying not to think about him, her thoughts instantly returned to her father. “Did anyone find my father after the battle at Ulster?”

“Not yet. There are a few warriors still there who are looking through the rubble at Tormod’s request.”

“Alex MacDonald said he killed him.”

Gwendolyn frowned. “The MacDonalds say a lot of things that aren’t necessarily true. What does your gut tell you? Is he alive or dead?”

Fiona pursed her lips. She and her father had been so disconnected for years, she wondered if she could feel anything but pain when thinking of the man. Nothing came to her. No feelings either way. “I honestly don’t know.”

Gwendolyn gently touched Fiona’s hand. “We will find the truth eventually. In the meanwhile, you must stop worrying. It will only set back your recovery. Focus on getting well. We saw the MacKinnon clan approaching a short time ago. They will be here within the hour.” She tucked a strand of red hair behind Fiona’s ear. “When you feel strong enough to take a bath, let me know and I will have water brought up for you. Until then, you should try to get some sleep.”

Fiona nodded and settled into the pillows at her back as Gwendolyn stood to leave. “Thank you, Gwendolyn, for everything.”

“You are welcome. Now rest.” She moved to the door and after a final look back, left Fiona alone.

Taking Gwendolyn’s advice, Fiona closed her eyes, but all she could see was Alex MacDonald’s hard, cruel eyes staring back at her. There was no kindness in the dark depths, only a desperate need for revenge. The man was determined to do anything he could to get back at the MacLeods. What had the vile man done to Rowena since he’d had her in his grasp?

Fiona bit down on her lip to keep from crying out. It was her actions that had led to Rowena’s capture. Was it up to her to fix the situation? If so, how? She was but one woman. She had no fairy magic on her side.

Fiona paused in thought. Or did she?

Her gaze shifted to her feet hidden below the covers. She tossed the coverlet back and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw whoever had changed her from her gown earlier had left her stockings on. The pebble from the Fairy Cave and the Grey Lady’s strand of hair were still safely tucked inside.

No sooner had the thought occurred to Fiona than an icy chill whispered through her bedchamber, followed by a frothy grey mist that moved across the floorboards before gathering into the visible shape of the Grey Lady. I am glad you came back to Dunvegan, to Tormod.

Fiona heard the words in her mind as the mist surrounding the spectre lessened and her image became more solid. “I wish I’d never been forced to leave. I wish Rowena was still here with all of you and safe from Alex MacDonald.”

As terrible as this situation is, I know my sons will see Rowena returns soon. The Grey Lady’s features pinched with anxiety but her voice was smooth, revealing no distress.

How could the Grey Lady be so calm about Rowena’s capture? Did she not know what horrors Alex MacDonald was capable of unleashing on her daughter? “Why are you not unsettled by this? And why are you being nice to me? I am the reason Rowena is gone. I am the one who added more fuel to an already overbright fire of animosity between the MacDonalds and the MacLeods. You should despise me.”

None of this is your fault. You might have helped the situation come to a head a little faster, but Alex would have eventually found a way to strike back at Tormod and all my sons with or without your help. The Grey Lady floated a little closer and a genuine smile came to her lips. Were you able to save your home?

Fiona dropped her gaze to her feet. “The castle was destroyed by the MacDonalds, but I was able to save—” Her voice faltered. “I saved . . . my servants.”

Homes can be rebuilt. People are what truly matter. Besides, your home is here now, with your husband and the people who care about you.

Care about you. Fiona’s throat tightened. Someone else caring about her was more than she’d had in a long while. “I appreciate your support, Lady Janet, but why have you come to me when your children need you more right now?”

You are one of my children. I’ve been checking on you all night to make certain you would return to us.

Fiona brought her fingers up to gently touch the bruised flesh at her throat. Her skin was tender to the touch, but it no longer throbbed, then she touched the lump on the right side of her head. “I will heal in time.”

The Grey Lady’s gaze moved from Fiona’s head and throat to the stockings on her feet. You must still possess the hair I gave you and the pebble from the Fairy Cave in order to still be with us in this world.

Fiona wiggled her toes, feeling the pebble rub against them. “They are safe. What am I supposed to do with them now? Keep them on me always?”

The hair you can return to me to avoid slipping into the afterworld. The pebble must be returned to the Fairy Cave. Then you will be free of the magic of that world as well.