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her care, she
would be an outcast for sure. And did she wish to come to Fàrdach Castle each
day and subject herself to Gavin’s amorous attentions? He was a fine specimen
of a man, but his attentions made her very uncomfortable. She turned to search
Davina’s anxious face.
    “Please, Maidie. You must care for my brother. He will die
otherwise,” Davina pleaded.
    How could she refuse such a request? “I will care for the
chief, but only if Angus stays away from him. I can’t undo the harm if the
physician continues to drain the blood from the chief’s body, and give him
potions I dinna ken about.”
    Tears welled in Davina’s eyes. She reached for Maidie and
embraced her. On releasing Maidie, Davina smiled and swiped the tears away with
a hand. “Thank you ever so much. The entire clan will be in your debt, just
save our brother’s life.”
    “I’m covered with the filth of battle, but when I’m clean, I’ll
thank you properly.” Gavin’s broad smile twinkled in his eyes. She could
imagine he would be more than willing to fulfill that promise. He turned to
Davina. “Send Angus to me. I’m certain he’s with the wounded in the great hall.
He will need to help me get them home to their families.”
    “Thank you, Brother,” Davina said. “Come with me, Maidie. You
need to see Andrew.” The girl took Maidie’s hand and led her toward the castle.
With a nod and a smile, Gavin turned back to his companions.
    When Davina and Maidie entered the great hall of the keep,
Angus could not be seen. Servants fed the wounded oat gruel and gave them sips
of ale. Most sat up or leaned on an elbow. The scene looked much different from
the one she faced the day before. Her heart raced with gladness to see the
warriors on the mend, but they were tough lads and taught to suffer pain
without complaint. She felt gladness over being able to help so many. Never had
she been asked to care for the warriors before the day last.
    Davina stopped her. “Will you go to my brother while I find
Angus? Please dinna let Andrew die. My brothers are all I have in this world.”
    “I’ll do my best, Lady Davina, but I can make no promises.”
Maidie patted the hand of the distraught girl who then turned to walk away as
Maidie made her way to Andrew’s chamber.
    A movement on the far end of the passage caught her eye. The
form vanished in a second and she wondered if it were the same person she saw
the night before. Maybe the lady came back searching for Gavin and found him
gone. Maidie knocked. Andrew’s young servant opened the door. He looked dashing
dressed in full livery and bowed when she entered.
    Upon reaching the chief’s bedside, Maidie noticed a small
amount of color in his cheeks, and the scar looked redder, although the stubble
of his dark beard now hid most of it. She stretched forth a hand to his
forehead. It felt cooler to her touch. His eyelashes fluttered and a strong
hand reached to grasp hers. The grey eyes opened to stare at her. He tried to
speak and wet dry lips with his tongue. Maidie quickly removed her hand from
his and took the cup of water from the bedside table. She lifted his head and
helped him drink. He clasped her hand and the cup with both of his. ‘Twas a
good sign to be sure. Andrew had enough strength to drink. He needed water to
replenish his blood supply.
    He pushed her hand away, so she placed the cup on the table. “Thank
you,” he whispered.
    She smiled into his eyes before they closed. “You’re welcome,
M’Laird.”
    “Andrew,” came the faint answer.
    “You’re welcome, Andrew,” she whispered in his ear. The
corners of his mouth turned up before he drifted away.
    She didn’t say more, but watched while he sank into a restless
sleep and then rushed to her chamber to retrieve the small linen bag of willow
bark. Maidie wanted the Laird to drink white willow bark tea to further reduce
the fever.
    A faint war cry came from the direction of the training field.
Maidie knew she