A Highland Pearl (Highland Treasures Book 1) by Brenda B. Taylor Read Free Book Online Page A

up to it if you change the dressing.” A good reason to
keep this angel and her tender touch close.
    “I’ll change the dressing, M’Laird.” She gently lifted his
head, and took a fresh towel from Colin. She wrapped the towel around his head,
rubbed the water out of his hair, then removed the wet towels from the pillows.
Maidie handed Colin the towels and bowl of rinse water. She removed the towel
from Andrew’s hair, took a comb from the table and began combing the tangles
from his hair. Never had his hair been given such fine treatment. A man could
get use to such service.
    When she finished combing, he caught her arm before she walked
away. “Thank you again, Maidie Munro. Never has my hair had such fine and
gentle handling. I think I remember asking you to call me Andrew.” He smiled at
her discomfort.
    “Aye, so you did.” She looked out of the window, clearly ill
at ease.
    “Why do you turn from me?” He pulled on her arm. “Look at me.”
    “I dinna turn from you, Andrew. I only feel uneasy calling our
chief by his given name.” She looked into his eyes again. Hers grew dark. “I-I-It
seems too familiar for our relationship. I hardly ken you.”
    “You saved my life. That’s a very intimate relationship. Now,
I owe you a life for the one you saved.”
    “You owe me naught, M’Laird. I am a healer, and I tend the
wounds of any who need me.”
    “But you will call me Andrew?” He pressed the fair arm.
    “If you request it. I will.” She pulled her arm free and
backed from the bed.
    Andrew could converse with the woman no more. His throbbing
head and belly allowed no more conversation. His eyes closed for a moment’s
rest. What was happening on the other side of his chamber door? Had Gavin been
in to see about him? He needed to see his brother and hear a report on the
injured and the outcome of the battle. Andrew opened his eyes and searched the
chamber. The woman was gone. Colin stood quietly beside the bed.
    “Colin, help me up from this bed. I need to see about the clan’s
business.” He turned with excruciating pain and put his feet on the floor.
    The young servant hurried to assist him. Andrew put his arm
around the gille’s neck and tried to stand. Colin bent under the weight.
Andrew fell back onto the bed.
    “Saint’s blood, help me stand, mon,” he grumbled.
    “Yes, M’Laird, but you’re heavier than I can hold.”
    “Then go get some help. I must get out of this bed now,” he
yelled at the lad, then felt ashamed. Colin didn’t cause his wound. In a
quieter voice, he said, “Go get help, Colin. See if you can find my brother.”
    “Yes, M’Laird.” The lad backed away from him, turned and
rushed out of the chamber.
    Andrew lay back on the bed, and looked down at the bandaged
wound. A fresh spot of blood stained the bandage. He had no covering on the
lower part of his body. A fine scene he made for the lady if she should return.
He would frighten her away for sure. She seemed afraid of him and his
coarseness, he could tell.
    This was not the time to be thinking of a woman’s beauty.
Besides, he made a promise to himself to forget about any binding relationship
with a woman. He didn’t need the pain. Andrew pulled the sheet over his exposed
body and waited for Colin.

 
 
 
    Chapter Five

 
    The bedchamber door opened and Gavin
entered, followed by Colin. His brother rushed to the bedside. Gavin looked
freshly washed and shaven. Andrew smelled the fragrance of chamomile.
    “What are you doing, Brother? Trying to aid the Camerons in
their quest to rid this clan of our chief?” Gavin asked with disgust in his
voice.
    “I’m trying to get out of this bed, is what I’m doing, and I
want you to help me.” Why did he have to expend energy to answer such foolish
questions?
    “I’ll help you get back into it, but no’ out of it. Look, you’ve
started the wound to bleeding once more. Maidie will be put out to see fresh
blood on the bandage.”
    “Ah, so ‘tis