“He did. Aye, the DeVeaux might want to use me to avenge themselves upon my family but they also need me dead. As guardian I nay only control the lads but the land.” After pushing the last few words out, Arianna gave in to the darkness flooding her mind and escaped the pain wracking her body.
Brian felt her go limp in his arms and panicked. He pressed his fingers against her throat and used the steady throb of her pulse to push the fear away. She was better off being unconscious. The ride back to Dubheidland would prove to be a long time in agony for her otherwise.
“She will heal,” Sigimor said as he stood up.
“Ye sound verra sure of that.” Brian got to his feet, holding Arianna in his arms and trying not to jostle her too much.
“Bones are nay broken, there isnae any bad bleeding from open wounds and, although verra colorful, the bruising didnae have the look of the ones caused by something bleeding inside her.” He started toward the others who had brought the horses to them. “Jolene and the women can give her a closer look but I think we reached her in time.”
“She shouldnae have fallen into the bastard’s hands at all,” said Brian, fury at himself a bitter taste on his tongue. “If I hadnae left her ...”
“Then they would have found ye, too, and there wouldnae have been anyone to come and get help for her. Aye, ye are a good fighter, but I think e’en ye would have had a wee bit of trouble fighting off so many men. Ye had to be certain the path was clear, that ye wouldnae be riding into a trap. Ye are a clever lad. I suspicion ye will understand that soon enough if ye think on it a while.”
Brian doubted his guilt would ease much until he was certain that Arianna would heal. “What do ye think happened to the people who lived in this wee cottage?”
“They ran when they saw armed men coming,” replied Sigimor, holding his arms out for Arianna when they reached the horses.
“Ye are certain of that?” Brian asked as he mounted his horse and then took Arianna back into his arms.
“Aye. Brice found their trail. They will return as soon as they ken that the men are gone.”
A quick glance around was proof enough that Sigimor had reason to be confident of that. The two bodies were gone, taken away from the little home and left for the carrion. Since Brian saw no sign of any livestock, he knew the family had undoubtedly had some warning of the men’s approach. Isolated as the little house was, it was no surprise that the people living in it would always be alert for any sign of danger.
They started back to Dubheidland, and Brian adjusted his hold on Arianna. He hoped to save her from as much movement as possible. Since galloping all the way back to Dubheidland was out of the question, he prayed she stayed unconscious for a very long time. She would face enough suffering when they reached Sigimor’s keep and her wounds would be tended to.
“I sincerely hope you intend to kill that man,” said Jolene when she stepped out of the bedchamber where Brian had placed the wounded Arianna. “Slowly.”
“I intend to,” answered Brian. He straightened up from where he had been leaning against the wall and staring at the door to that bedchamber for the last two hours. “How is she?”
“She will heal. I think many of the bruises look far worse than they truly are. Her skin is much akin to mine. I have occasionally noticed a very vivid bruise yet have no memory of any serious injury. Cool cloths and some of the salve I left by the bed will quickly bring those bruises down. She is sleeping now. She will also need a few days of rest.”
“She will have it.”
“You are dealing with a madman, you know. She told me of his plots. To unleash your family’s worst enemy upon them? To murder two innocent boys and an equally innocent woman? To kill your own brother? To plot the deaths of what might be every male Lucette who could possibly inherit something? Aye, he is definitely a madman.”
“I ken it. I also intend to make certain the Lucettes realize how fortunate they are that Amiel and his allies didnae leave this land alive.” He watched as Jolene rubbed her lower back. “Go rest, lass. I can care for Arianna now. Salve and cool cloths.” He winked at her. “Have something to eat and then go rest ere that large husband of yours comes stomping up here looking for you.”