Page 67 of Wedded to the Devilish Highlander
“They’re tears of joy,” she said. “I thought he might be dead. I tried nae to fear the worst, but it’s hard nae to.”
“He’s safe now.” Archer didn’t exactly know that. He only knew that Reid was in the castle.
“I need to find him.” Eileen looked around wildly, turning in circles. “I need to speak with him.”
“Maybe ye should put on some clothes first,” Archer suggested. “We could both do that, and I’ll take ye to him. He’s with the healer. But we need to be quiet as we go to him.”
Eileen stopped spinning around, and her expression turned serious and grim. “‘Cause there’s a traitor still and ye didnae want him leakin’ information to O’Gunn.”
“Aye,” Archer confirmed. “Ye’re a smart lass, Eileen.”
“Come on, we have nay time to waste,” Eileen urged. She turned around, looking for her clothes.
“Let me help ye.”
Archer finally got off the bed and helped her search for her clothes, most of which were strewn across the floor. He helped her into her dress before he himself got dressed.
They both left the room barefoot, moving silently down the dark hallway.
Archer felt something brush his arm as he walked, and then Eileen slipped her hand into his and gave it a squeeze.
Once they were down the stairs and away from the main bedrooms, he said, “I dinnae ken what state he’s in, but he’s been gone a long time and only just shown up—we daenae ken much, but I want ye to be forewarned that yer braither might be in a bad shape.”
“I dinnae care,” Eileen said. “I only care that he’s back to me.”
And I want to ken what happened to him and whether O’Gunn did kidnap him.
They slowed down when they reached the healer’s chambers. Eileen had seen the healer not so long ago, and the healer had helped her. Would the same hold with her brother?
Archer didn’t knock when he got to the door, pushing it open gently. He looked around."
"We cannae have people see us goin’ in together like this or they might wonder who we’re vistin’. If anyone asks, ye tell them that ye had a relapse after yer episode."
Eileen nodded.
Archer slipped quietly inside with Eileen.
The healer turned to them. “Good, ye’re both here.”
“How’s he doin’?” Archer asked.
“I’ll be honest,” the healer began, before looking at Eileen. “Yer braither is strong, there’s nay doubt about it, but he was wounded pretty badly. He hasnae been properly treated until he got back here, so he’s a little sickly.”
Eileen gripped Archer’s hand tightly. “I need to see him.”
“I dinnae think that’s a good—” the healer cautioned.
“She’ll see her braither,” Archer cut in. “I’ll be with her.”
“Aye, all right, but just dinnae agitate him or anythin’ like that. He needs his rest.”
“I only want to see him breathin’, that’s all,” Eileen insisted.
The healer pursed her lips, then moved out of the way.
Eileen and Archer approached the bed together. The room was dim, lit only with one candle near the door, so only minimal light was cast on the bed and the man sleeping on it.
Reid Kilmartin was indeed in bad shape. His face was twisted in a grimace as he slept, as if in pain. The blankets were pulled down to cover only his legs, despite the slight chill in the room. Bandages were wound around his chest, covering most of his torso, stained black and red.
