Page 33 of The Veiled Wish of a Highland Bride

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"How could ye have hurt yerself so?" Fitzhugh scolded as she pranced around the room that served as her workspace, looking for the best thing to give Mia for the pain.

"I promise it was nae intentional," Mia said to the healer.

Clyde chuckled.

The woman glanced at them disapprovingly and tutted.

"Ye're always coming here for one injury or the other," Fitzhugh said, placing her palm on Mia's cheek. "Ye forget that ye are a lady."

Mia almost rolled her eyes. She knew that Fitzhugh only meant well. She had been very much like a mother to Mia since she had come to the castle, albeit a mother she only saw when she sustained her very frequent injuries.

"I promise it does nae hurt as much anymore."

"Shush!" was all the reply that Mia got back, eliciting another chuckle from Clyde who stood waiting in the corner.

Fitzhugh immediately turned her wrath to him.

"And ye, young war chief, ye let the Lady of Murray castle get hurt? And yelaugh?"

"It was nae his fault," Mia whined. "We came across some brigands in the woods."

Fitzhugh eyed them disapprovingly before saying, "Well, it really is naething but a small sprain. A run-in with brigands could lead to something much worse. Ye’ll live, lass, but ye must stay in bed for a few days. Imust naesee ye out of bed. I'll come around to check on ye soon."

She signaled to Clyde to carry Mia to her room, leaving instructions that she should get plenty of rest.

"Thank ye, Fitzhugh,” Mia and Clyde said in unison, like two bairns who had just been given sweets.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

All it took was one worrisome thought to drive sleep away. Archibald had been tossing and turning on the hard bed for hours now, his mind occupied by one thing:Mia.

The woman had gone and gotten herself hurt, ridding him of the ability to get any sleep until he was sure that she was hail and healthy. He remembered how his heart was almost being torn out of his chest when she yelped in pain.

Damme brigands.

They were a crafty bunch. How had they so easily ambushed them? They were infamous in the southern Highlands especially, luring unsuspecting individuals into their traps and robbing them.

His thoughts were still drawn back to Mia. He almost hated himself for being so preoccupied with a woman, but he knew he hated the thought of anything bad happening to her even more. She had suspected a sprain, but what if it was more serious? Archibald had noticed the look Clyde had given him earlier in the hallways, which had stopped him from asking any questions about her. Clyde seemed kind enough, but he was still not of Archie’s clan.

He had to find out for himself if she truly was fine.

Archie paced the room, wondering how best to approach her. As he walked out of his chambers, he was hit hard by the recollection of what the council had said to him.

Bonnie Prince Charlie will be at the back gates of Castle Ledoch in seven days. Ye must be there to welcome him. Dinnae fail us.

That had been said six days ago. He had to leave Murray Castle this very day if he was to ensure he was home to welcome the Prince. It had been six days of planning and scheming with the Laird and informants. He could not fail them now.

Archibald groaned, edging towards his bed to rest his weary legs. He needed to decide how to hide the Prince from the inhabitants of Castle Ledoch. Even from his most trusted men.

It was no use. He could not focus.

Archibald needed to see Mia. He needed to first be sure she was fine. Nothing else was as important in that moment.

A strange feeling washed over him. Archibald didn't just want her for his pleasure. He wanted to know her forher, and care for her as he would care for himself. Maybe more. This feeling was not one he was a stranger to. He had felt this way before, several years ago before his brother had stolen his love away.

Archibald was inlovewith Mia.

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