Page 58 of Wedded to the Devilish Highlander
The fastest way to get her out of the room was just on the opposite side of where they stood. He swayed her to the music for a beat, turning her again to assess the other entryway. Even more people.
The thought had been in the back of his mind since the engagement. If the culprit wanted to really hurt him, they would go for his betrothed. With so many people in the Great Hall, it would be easy to get to her without anyone seeing or hearing exactly what happened.
I dinnae think I invited this many people tonight. I need to get her out of here…
“Look, lass. I’m nae sayin’ the right things. Follow me.”
He gripped her hand and guided her through the crowd toward the less crowded entryway.
“Me Laird. Lady Eileen. Congratulations,” Fergus offered, placing a hand on his heart and bowing.
“Fergus is on the council. And his wife, Moira,” Archer explained.
Eileen dipped her head with a smile. “A pleasure to meet ye both, and thank ye. We are quite happy.”
We are?
Fergus bowed his head and guided his wife away, sensing Archer’s eagerness to leave.
But then they were accosted by Dugal and Henry, and their wives, Catriona and Kenna. Last in the way, almost intentionally, was Mack.
“Me Laird. Lady Eileen. Joyful news, indeed,” he said.
Archer felt Eileen’s grip tighten on his hand.
“Where’s yer bride, Mack?” he asked, thinking that’s what she wished to know.
“Ach! Mairi is…” Mack looked around. “She’s standing just over there, near the post.”
Eileen’s grip tightened even more as she looked over her shoulder at the tall, thin woman with wild, inky black hair.
“Nae that we all didnae already ken that, since ye’ve gone and told us at the meetin’!” Mack continued, laughing boisterously.
Archer felt Eileen leaning into his side at that moment. Not understanding her reaction, he made their excuses and led her out of the Great Hall and into the adjacent library.
“What is it?” he asked, the hair at the back of his neck standing on end.
The door suddenly creaked open, and Calum slid inside, the noise causing Eileen to jump.
Archer put his hands on her small shoulders to steady her. “Eileen?”
Her eyes found his. “I dinnae feel well,” she said, her head lolling to the side. She quickly righted it before nearly collapsing right in front of him.
“I got ye, lass.” Archer scooped her up into his arms.
He was moving before he could think twice about it, taking the back staircase up to his chambers two steps at a time. Calum followed after them.
When they arrived, he opened the door, and Archer flew inside to lay her on his bed. The heavy door closed behind him, and he knew his man-at-arms stood guard just outside.
“Eileen? What’s happened? Are ye hot? Cold?”
She opened her eyes weakly. “Aye, perhaps I—” She inhaled sharply and winced as if she had been stabbed in the ribs.
Archer’s hands were frantically moving over her body, searching for an injury.
She opened her mouth, but no words came out at first. Her pulse was fluttering visibly at her neck, and a sweat broke out along her brow.
The room spun around him.
