“M’laird?”
Greer slowed to allow Bowie to catch up to him, but did not stop walking toward the castle. Nor did he look away from Alpin’s pale, sleeping face. If he was sleeping, he thought grimly. The lad had screamed his fool head off when Greer had carried him into the loch, and much like Saidh, Alpin had tried to climb him to get out. But the boy was half Saidh’s size. Greer had had little difficulty in keeping him from scratching his face off and holding him in the water. He’d kept the lad there until the boy had calmed and seemed to go to sleep, and then he’d pressed his cheek to his forehead to test his temperature. It was the only dry part of Greer by that point, but he hadn’t been able to tell if the soaking had done the lad any good. He supposed he’d have to wait and see on the matter.
At the moment, he was more concerned by how still and silent the boy had remained on the ride back to the castle. He was eager to get him stripped of his wet clothes and tucked up in bed, which was why he wasn’t stopping for his first to speak to him.
“The men reported just moments ago on seeing a traveling party approaching,” Bowie announced, hustling to keep up with him. “They think they carry the Buchanan banner, though the party is far enough away they are no’ sure yet.”
“What?” Greer stopped walking to turn on the man. “But ’tis no’ e’en the nooning yet. I did no’ expect them ere the nooning.”
Bowie shrugged helplessly. “Mayhap, ’tis no’ them. The men can no’ be sure at this distance.”
“Oh, it’s most like them,” Greer said grimly and turned to continue walking. “Warn Cook and tell him to make sure all is ready, then send someone to the chapel to let Father ken.”
“Aye, m’laird.” Bowie said and hurried away as Greer continued with his small burden.
“I came to check on Lady MacDonnell,” Saidh murmured when the lady’s maid responded to her knock on the woman’s chamber door.
“Oh, Saidh, that is so sweet.” Lady MacDonnell’s voice floated to them and her maid smiled and stepped back to allow her to enter.
She stepped into the room to find Lady MacDonnell sitting wrapped in furs by the fire, cupping a mug of something steaming in front of her face.
“ ’Tis one o’ Helen’s tinctures,” Lady MacDonnell said with an expression that was a cross between a grimace and amusement. “They taste vile, but work. I already feel better.”
“Well, that’s the important thing,” Saidh said firmly as she moved to settle in the chair across from the lady. “I’m glad to find ye feeling better. I was concerned. And I felt bad too fer no’ opening the door when ye came to check on me last night. I fear I . . .” She frowned and then said carefully, “In truth, I could no’ seem to get up. I felt as if a great weight were pinning me to the bed.”
“Oh dear,” Lady MacDonnell said with concern. “I do hope ye’re no’ coming down with what I ha’e. Mayhap Helen should make ye a tincture too.”
“Nay,” Saidh said quickly. She could smell the swill Lady MacDonnell seemed to be avoiding having to drink and was quite sure the smell alone was vile enough to scare a body into healing itself rather than be forced to swallow it. Forcing a smile, she assured her, “I feel much better this morn, although I gather Alpin has taken ill.”
“Greer’s little squire?” Lady MacDonnell asked with alarm. “Oh no, what a shame. He’s such a sweet lad.”
Saidh wrinkled her nose at the claim, thinking she wouldn’t exactly describe him that way.
“Helen, make a tincture for Alpin and we shall go check on him,” Lady MacDonnell instructed now.
“At once, m’lady,” the maid murmured and slipped from the room.
“Here, let me help.” Saidh jumped to her feet, reaching for Lady MacDonnell’s drink as she started to struggle to stand.
“Thank ye, dear,” Lady MacDonnell murmured, quickly shedding the furs she’d been bundled in to reveal that she was dressed underneath. Free of the furs, she then reached for her drink and when Saidh gave it up, turned and dumped it in the fire with a shudder. “Dreadful stuff. I’d rather be sick than drink that muck, but do no’ tell Helen. ’Twill hurt her feelings.”
A soft laugh burst from Saidh, but she nodded quickly. “Yer secret is safe with me, m’lady.”
“I knew it would be,” Lady MacDonnell smiled at her, then turned to lead the way to the door, saying, “I truly am feeling much better today, but Helen likes to fuss. And in truth, I did no’ feel sick last night, so much as just terribly tired, but that seems to have passed with a good night’s sleep.” Pausing at the door, she turned to inspect Saidh before shaking her head and opening the door. “I can see yer nightmares did ye little good last night, though. Yer looking a wee bit pale and tired this morning.”
“Oh.” Saidh flushed. “Well, I suppose I am a little tired.”
“Well, then I recommend a good night of uninterrupted sleep,” Lady MacDonnell said as she led her into the hall. “So, where is young Alpin? I hope Greer did no’ make him sleep on the cold great hall floor last night with him feeling poorly.”
“Nay. Greer sent him to sleep in his room on the foot o’ his bed,” Saidh assured her.
“Good, good,” Lady MacDonnell said, starting up the hall. “I always did like Greer. He seems rough and gruff on the outside, and no doubt he’s merciless in battle, but he’s a good heart and kind to children and animals, and that’s always a good sign.” She glanced to Saidh and added, “Ye could do worse than a man like Greer to husband.”