Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Without admitting it, Cree felt that he and Tiernan had come to an understanding that he intended Tiernan and his clan no harm.
“Tell me of your home, Lord Cree,” Tiernan said.
Cree saw the tension leave Tiernan’s shoulders, worry having been lifted off them, and Cree began to detail his clan, adding incidents concerning his children, especially Lizbeth, that had Tiernan laughing. It was an enjoyable discussion and Cree ended by saying, “You must come visit one day. You are always welcome in my home.”
Tiernan couldn’t hide his surprise. “I rarely leave my clan, but I do appreciate the invitation.”
Someone frantically shouting his name prevented Cree from responding and he and Tiernan hurried to the door. The shouts brought them to the Great Hall, where Cree stared in shock at his wife lying on the floor appearing lifeless, the healer cushioning her head in her lap.
“DAWN!” He rushed to her. “What happened?” he demanded of Lynall when he reached them and crouched down to see his wife’s pale face.
“I believe she fainted after standing too quickly. I managed to cushion her head before she hit the floor,” Lynall said. “We need to get her to her bedchamber.”
Cree nodded, and gently lifted his wife into his arms, his worry growing as he carried her to their bedchamber. He had seen men receive head wounds who appeared fine and then a few days later they slipped into a deep sleep and never woke again. His heart pounded in his chest and his every step grew heavier with fear.
Relief rushed over him only moments later when he felt Dawn stir in his arms and he silently thanked the heavens. “You are all right. I’ve got you, Dawn. You are safe.”
Dawn’s eyes fluttered open just as they entered the room and when he placed her gently on the bed, she turned a confused look at him.
Cree understood she was asking what happened. “You fainted.”
Dawn’s arm went to press at her side.
Lynall, seeing her reaction, stepped around Cree. “You felt a pain before fainting?”
Dawn nodded.
“You may have suffered another wound we are now just learning about. Would you permit me to take a look at your side where you felt the pain?”
Dawn nodded.
“If you would step outside the door, my lord, I will let you know when I am done examining your wife,” Lynall said.
Dawn cringed not from pain, but from what she knew her husband would say, and she feared he would frighten the healer.
“Listen well, woman.” Cree scowled and jabbed his finger toward Lynall. “I’m staying right here by my wife, and I will see for myself what ails her and do whatever it takes to see her well.”
“Aye, my lord,” Lynall said, paling.
Dawn thought to chastise her husband for frightening the healer, but he would only elaborate on what he said to the healer and frighten the woman even more, so she kept her hands quiet.
“I will help you slip your garments up,” Cree said before Lynall could offer and she stepped aside.
Slipping one arm under his wife, he lifted her up enough to shift her garments and expose the area she had felt the pain and cringed when he did. The side beneath her right breast was bruised and he feared what that might mean. He covered her with a blanket up to her waist once he laid her back down.
“A bruise,” he said, turning to Lynall.
The healer hurried over to have a look, her fingers gently probing the area. “I can feel the slight lump there. You must have hit something when you fell since this bruise is not fresh. When you stood so fast, you must have disturbed it, and it made itself known. I will prepare a compress for it that will help with the bruising and pain and a brew for you to take. I advise you to rest for the remainder of the day.”
“She will,” Cree commanded. “Will this delay our departure even more?”
“The fog will do that. When it gets this heavy, it usually takes a few days before it dissipates enough for safe travel. By then, I believe Lady Dawn will be well enough to take her leave as long as she takes care not to think she is fully healed just because she feels a bit better.”
Once again Cree sounded as if he commanded. “Dawn will follow your advice.”
“I will go prepare what is needed and show you how to administer the compresses to your wife’s wound,” Lynall said and turned to leave.
“Lynall!”
She turned, a bit startled by his powerful command.
“I appreciate how you have tended to my wife so wisely.”
Lynall smiled. “Thank you, my lord. It is kind of you to say so.”
Dawn gestured when Cree turned to her, the door closing softly behind Lynall.
“So, you think it was good of me to be nice to her after I wasn’t nice to her,” Cree said.