Page 70 of Wedded to the Devilish Highlander
“I want to come with ye,” Eileen said.
“Ye dinnae want to stay with yer braither?”
She rubbed her eyes. “There’s nothin’ I can do for him now, and the healer is here with him. I want to ken who did this to me braither.”
Archer’s body tensed a little as he thought about it.
“As the future lady of the castle, I deserve to ken,” Eileen insisted.
She heard a sigh from behind her. “Aye, ye do deserve to ken.”
Eileen couldn’t see his face, but he must have looked to Calum for confirmation.
“Aye,” Calum said with a nod.
Eileen pushed herself up, stretching her arms above her head. Archer got up with a grunt after being beneath her for some time. She wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but it was still dark outside.
“Dinnae worry, I’ll take care of him,” the healer reassured, lifting her head from her book.
Eileen turned around to look at Archer. “Thank ye.”
“Somethin’ tells me ye wouldnae take nay for an answer.” Archer’s lips quirked.
Eileen smiled, and it turned more serious when he offered his hand. She took it without question, feeling some comfort in his grip.
He doesnae need to do this, now that Reid is back and bein’ treated.
She appreciated the gesture nonetheless.
They walked hand in hand toward the council chambers, with Calum trailing behind them.
“We should make it quick,” Calum said. “We dinnae want any council members walkin’ in unannounced. I have men stationed around to warn me, but if we can keep this under wraps, we gain some momentum.”
“Where are we at with the men?” Archer asked.
“They willnae say a word to anyone,” Calum replied. “I trust them and believe them. I’ve sent them all off save for one scout—Bracken McLeod. Ye’ll hear what happened from his lips.”
“Good,” Archer uttered. “This is fine work, Calum, and would have been cause for celebration under different circumstances.”
“Thank ye, Calum,” Eileen added.
She wondered if she should inform him that Ivy was very taken by him. That could be a reward in itself. Unless Archer wouldn’t appreciate it.
“Ye’re welcome, Me Lady,” Calum said.
He knew about the sham betrothal as much as Eileen and Archer did, but none of them acted as if they did.
When they reached the council chambers, they found a man sitting at the long, oak table. He looked tired, but he sat straight-backed and alert, waiting for the Laird to arrive. When Archer entered the room, he rose from his chair.
“Please,” Archer said, waving his hand. “Ye and the other men did a fine job bringin’ Reid Kilmartin back here.”
“Thank ye, Me Laird,” Bracken said, sitting back down.
Eileen let go of Archer’s hand and rounded the table quickly to offer her hand to Bracken. “I cannae thank ye enough for bringin’ me braither home.”
Bracken looked surprised, but he took her hand and shook it firmly. “I’m glad I could be of service, Me Lady. Yer braither is a brave man. Ye should have seen him out there.” He smiled at the memory.
“What happened to him?” Archer asked.
