Did he expect a response? She could barely think, let alone speak, as he turned his attention to her other leg. Her eyelids fluttered closed, and she bit her lower lip to keep from begging him for more. Ali slowly lifted her lids when he removed the other stocking. From the look he gave her, she could tel he had watched her the entire time, had seen the play of emotions on her face, and knew what she wanted from him. And al he’d done was see to her needs with gentleness and consid
eration. She felt the color rush to her cheeks. How stupid could she be?
He stood, abruptly turning away from her. “I’l send Mrs.
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Mac to see to you. Mari needs time to heal before resumin’
her duties.”
Ali blinked, startled by the underlying anger she heard in his voice. “Of course, I didn’t expect her—” She might as wel have saved her breath. Her words ricocheted off the barrier of the oak door he slammed between them. Ali pressed her fingers to her temples. She had to leave Dunvegan before she made a bigger fool of herself than she already had. Not that her powerful attraction to their laird—an attraction that wasn’t returned—was her only reason for finding the flag—far from it. She wanted to go home. To the life she left behind. The man destroyed her equilibrium, her common sense. He was every woman’s ideal of a dream lover, and that was the problem. She was living a dream, or as today had proven—a nightmare. The fairy flag was her only way out, away from Rory and the pain of wanting more from him than he was wil ing to give. She rose to her feet and grimaced.
“Och, now, sit yerself down,” Mrs. Mac said as she bus
tled into the room, linens draped over one arm, a pail of steaming water looped over the other. She set the pail onto the slate floor and water sloshed over the rim. “So what did you do to put the laird in such a temper?”
Ali shrugged. “Nothing.” She hadn’t. It wasn’t like she’d asked him to make love to her. And now that she thought about it, she doubted he even knew what his heated touch had done to her. Mrs. Mac gave her a considering look. “’Tis probably his wound botherin’ him. Iain spoke of it earlier.”
“He never said anything.” He’d been in pain and now she’d made it worse. Ali shot a nervous glance at the ad joining door. “I should check on him.” She pushed off the bed and rose on her heels to protect her sore feet.
“Nay.” Mrs. Mac gave her a gentle nudge, forcing her to 100
sit back down. “Iain has already suggested he let you tend him, but he refused.”
“Oh.” Once again she felt the heat rise to her face. He didn’t want her anywhere near him. Aware of what he could do to her with just a look, a touch, she thought maybe it was for the best.
“Och, now, doona’ fash yerself, lass. He doesna’ doubt yer abilities. ’Tis on account he doesna’ like to be fussed over is al .”
Ali returned her attention to Mrs. Mac and waved off her explanation. “That’s fine. I understand how he feels.”
She raised a brow to make her point.
“Och, yer two of a kind.” She held out the linens to Ali.
“If you doona’ need me I’l see to Mari.”
“Why? What’s happened?” Gingerly, Ali hopped off the bed.
Mrs. Mac shook her head. Steel gray curls bounced as she pointed to Ali’s feet. “If you doona’ stay off those fer a while, they’l never heal. As fer Mari, there’s nothin’ time and a little kindness wil na’ cure.”
“Of course, I’l do whatever I can. I stil can’t believe what they did to her. I don’t think it’s something I’l ever forget.”
She shuddered. Mari was the one reason she’d de
layed her search for the flag. She had to be sure her maid would be al right before she left.
“I’m thinkin’ we should be a mite careful with the type of kindness we give her from now on.”
Ali’s gaze narrowed on Mrs. Mac, certain the woman held something back. “What do you mean?”
Mrs. Mac released a weary sigh. “I’m hearin’ the lasses turned her over to the priest on account of the yel ow gown. They thought she was reachin’ above her station and were a wee bit jealous.”
Ali pressed a hand to her mouth to stifle her cry of dismay. “It’s my fault. Everything she suffered was because LORD OF THE ISLES
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of me.” Remembering the scene in the courtyard, bile rose in Ali’s throat. She felt dizzy, overcome with guilt. “My God, look at what I’ve done. I can’t stay here any longer, Mrs. Mac. Please, you have to help me,” she pleaded. The older woman patted her shoulder. “Hush now. You ken I canna’ do that, Lady Aileanna.”
“Lady!” Her voice rose to a hysterical pitch. “I’m no lady. You know who I am. I don’t belong here. I never know what to do, what to say, and now look—someone almost died be
cause of it.” Mari. Sweet, innocent Mari had nearly died because of her. The connecting door flew open and Rory stood framed within it, fil ing the entryway with his broad shoulders.
“What the bloody hel is goin’ on in here?”
Mrs. Mac quickly placed herself between the two of them. “There’s nothin’ goin’ on, my laird. Lady Aileanna is a mite overwrought is al .” She waved him off. “No need to trouble yerself. I’l see to her.” Mrs. Mac sent a plead ing
