Page 16 of The Plight of a Scottish Lass
“Just after first light.”
“Her bruises are still in their early stage. I suspect she is sleeping from exhaustion and pain. Will you ask my husband to find some goat’s milk, please?”
Thane nodded and left.
Eli took advantage of the privacy to look at the girl’s body underneath her clothing by stripping her and dressing her in a clean night rail. The poor girl was bruised from her thighs to her face, and the worst was in her belly. Then she noticed something else.
She was bleeding rather heavily between her legs. Had she delivered a bairn recently or was it her regular courses? Probing that area brought the woman’s eyes open and she nearly screamed, but Eli caught her. “I’ll not hurt you. I’m a healer. Did you recently have a bairn?”
“Nay. I lost the bairn.”
That explained much. She was too weak was Eli’s guess. Between the blood loss and the pain, she would need time to heal. Some liquid, some food, and rest to heal her bruises would be a great start. “What’s your name?”
“Tamsin Garvie.”
“Who did this to you, Tamsin?”
She let out a deep sigh, then replied, “My husband. I burned his dinner.”
“Heartless fool. I’d like a few moments with him. Is he here with you?” Eli put the bold question to her because it wouldn’t be the first time someone lied about their identity.
“Nay. He returned to Ulva after leaving me on a rock in the sea to teach me a lesson.”
“Or mayhap his intention was for you to die? Have you considered that possibility? Was he angry with you?”
“Aye. I left the pottage over the fire for too long, and I gave him a daughter instead of a son. Can you tell me how to make sure the next one is a lad? I don’t know how to do that.”
“Neither do I. Neither does anyone. It’s God’s nature to decide and no one will know until the baby decides to be born. Your husband is a fool.” Eli leaned in to look closer at the beautiful lass. “Are your eyes different colors?”
“Aye, but I’m not a witch or anything. My sire had to pay extra to find me a husband.”
Eli sat back, a little shocked. “Your sire paid your husband?”
“Aye, double.”
“The husband is supposed to pay your father.”
Tamsin looked confused, her eyes misting.
“Never mind.” She patted Tamsin’s hand. “That is no concern of mine. Tell me where your pains are.”
“Other than the bruises, my left ankle hurts. I had trouble standing on it.”
Eli checked her leg and said, “I’ll put a wrap on it.”
“Many thanks to you. Will I live?”
Eli nodded just as the door opened and Thane returned with the goat’s milk, Brian and Alaric behind him.
Thane noticed immediately. “You are awake?”
“Aye. I am thirsty and tired. Many thanks for saving me, my lord.”
Eli helped her to drink the milk in sips.
Thane said, “We shall return in a couple of days. She can stay with you until then?”
Eli nodded. “Of course. She’ll need time before she can travel again.” Maitland and Derric had returned to the mainland, so it was just the three of them, but they hadn’t uncovered any threats yet.
