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failed. He walked over to his brother and knelt down in front of him. “Know that I shall take better care to leave you only with those I trust.”
    Gavin chewed on his lower lip. ‘’Are you going away?“
    Lachlan pulled his brother into his arms. He had chosen his words poorly and knew firsthand the emotions his brother felt at the idea of being left behind. Lachlan drew back and looked at Gavin. “Battles will have to come to me, for I will not be leaving Urquhart. When you are old enough to wield a sword, we shall leave together.” He looked at Amber again. “You risked much by your interfering.”
    She smiled. “It’s an old habit of mine.”
    A cool breeze drifted in off the Highlands, bringing the fresh scent of heather. He stood and gazed at the woman he had saved from Loch Ness. Once she set her path to defend his brother, she had never wavered.
    Lachlan guided Gavin toward the entrance of the Great Hall. He tousled the boy’s hair. “I will have Marcail tend your wounds.”
    “Shouldn’t you take him to the hospital, or have a doctor look at him?” It was apparent to him she doubted his ability to care for his own.
    “I would trust Gavin to no other. I have no doubts as to her abilities.” Marcail was a physician. She had once held dreams to heal all those who came her way. The Black Death had made her realize her abilities were limited. It had defeated her.
    Out of the corner of his eye he saw Amber struggling to keep pace with them as he and Gavin reached the entrance. She kept stepping on the hem of her gown. He would have to ask Una to see to new clothes.
    As she approached, she glanced quickly at his brother. “I’m worried Gavin’s back will become infected. Are you sure we shouldn’t think about taking him to town to see a doctor? Those cuts look deep. I think he needs stitches.”
    This woman was right to interfere with Bartholomew; however, Marcail was the only physician his kin needed. He suspected Amber would not discourage easily and, thankfully, he had an answer for her. “Marcail has the gift of healing.”
    He could hear her muttering behind him as he pushed open the double doors and knew the answer was not to her liking. But she would have to be satisfied with it.
    A fire blazed in the hearth in the Great Hall. His men were busy about their meal as Una walked toward him, wiping her hands on her apron. “There you are, Gavin. I sent Angus and his men in search of you when you missed the evening meal.” She brushed his hair off his forehead. “Where have you been, lad?”
    Gavin looked at Lachlan.
    Una’s forehead wrinkled. “I knew something was amiss when I saw you leave.”
    He put his arm around Una’s shoulder. “I shall explain at length later. As for now I would have Marcail tend the boy.”
    “I never did like that man, with all his English ways. Always so full of his own imagined importance.” Una motioned to Gavin. “Come lad. I have a sweet for you in the cookroom and then we will find the Lady Marcail.”
    Lachlan nodded toward his brother. It was a sound plan. Una could mother Gavin. Right now that is what he suspected the boy needed. More than likely, his back had already begun to heal.
    Una took the boy’s hand and disappeared around the corner. He should probably tell their mother what had happened. The muscles in his shoulders tightened. He dismissed the idea. If she understood at all it would upset her; if she couldn’t remember who Gavin was it would distress her all the more. He shook the dark thoughts from his mind and glanced over at Amber. She was staring in the direction Una had taken Gavin. “You need not worry. My bother will be well cared for.”
    Lachlan watched Amber hesitate before she picked up her skirts and walked toward a long table heaped with steaming platters of food. A few of his men noticed her enter and then looked over at him. It was an easy task to decipher their thoughts. A man could lose all sense of time in the watching of