Page 52 of Highlander’s Sweet Poison

“But he died instead.”

“Aye, and everyone blamed me. Even I blamed me. I wished so hard for his death that I thought for sure it was my fault. He’d been drinking before he went out that night. I’m certain that’s what did him in.”

They reached the keep, and Jillian was quiet as they walked through and climbed the stairs. A fire had already been lit in their chamber, and Graeme kissed her on the top of her head. “Undress and get ready for bed. Ye must be starving, so I am going to get a tray from the kitchens. I wilnae be long.”

It felt a little strange to be doted on, but Jillian was grateful as she undressed. Her stomach rumbled fiercely at the mention of food, and she realized she was starving. They were all right to send her back. She needed to keep herself strong.

When he returned, she was pulling out the chair to the small table in the room. “Nay, into bed with ye,” Graeme ordered as he set the tray down. “Ye will eat and then sleep.”

Crawling into bed, she leaned against the pillows. “It feels a little decadent to be eating in bed.”

“No decadence tonight, but I will keep that in mind of the future. ‘Tis just bread and cheese and meat.”

Jillian was aware of his gaze on her, so she began to eat while he undressed. When he slipped into bed next to her, she rested her head on his shoulder while she ate and offered him some of the food.

“Tell me of Art.”

His voice was tight, but she felt no anger in it. Rather, she suspected he was opening up the conversation so he could learn more and not become angry in the future. “There isnae much to tell. Art was one of a handful of men who was friends with me during my marriage, and never acted inappropriately. Clyde as well. And ye.”

“I wanted ye,” Graeme admitted huskily. “But Fulton was my cousin, and I wouldnae betray him like that.”

“Even after his death, men still propositioned me. They’d call me witch in one breath and ask me for a kiss in the next. It was nauseating, but never Art or Clyde. Or ye, but then, ye hated me. Ye dinnae have to deny it. We both know ‘tis true and is behind us now. I have no interest in Art or anyone else. I would not betray ye, Graeme. Ye have sacrificed much to keep me safe, and I know of no other man who affects me as ye do.”

She loved her husband desperately, but now was not the time to tell him.

“I regret all that I have done that hurt ye, but ye know that. Tell me of the children. Be honest. Will our niece survive?”

Our. Her heart broke at that. Just when she was gaining a family, something threatened to take it away. “In most cases, as long as the antidote is administered in time, the patient recovers. Their young age worries me. Children and the elderly are more susceptible to the poison. If the men return tomorrow with the leaves I need, then I can have an antidote ready as soon as tomorrow night, which will be well within the acceptable timeframe.”

“But until then...” Graeme said heavily.

“Aye, until then, we wait. This is the first time I truly wished that the rumors were true and I did know of magic. I would do whatever it took to make the children safe. They are so innocent—and our future.”

“Ye are a wonder, Jillian MacSeaver, and ye are mine.”

Closing her eyes, she fell asleep with his arms around her, keeping her safe and warm.

26

The men returned to the border, but they were not alone. Understandably nervous, the guards refused to let the men in until Graeme arrived, and when he did, he stared at the face of the man who had every reason to raze his villages to the ground.

“Creighton Armstrong,” Graeme greeted with some apprehension, “I had not expected a visit so soon after my uncle’s funeral.”

“Nor did I expect a group of yer guards at my border.”

“Only one guard,” Graeme said carefully. “And I trust they explained what they were doing there?”

“Leaves from the marl tree, which I have here in my satchel. Once I have determined that they are telling the truth, then I will be happy to release them.”

So that was the deal. He was going to hold the leaves hostage to make certain that he hadn’t sent spies. It was on the tip of his tongue to tell him to go to hell or to take the leaves by force. Surprisingly, Creighton traveled with little in the way of guards. It would be easy to overtake him, but they needed those leaves, and more importantly, he needed Creighton Armstrong to trust him.

“Then, by all means, hurry. The sooner we get the leaves to my wife, the better.” He gestured to his guards to allow them in.

“Have any died?” One of the fathers asked, fear trembling in his voice.

“Nay. All the children are holding on,” he told them. “But we must hurry.”

“The Alderaan berry,” Creighton said conversationally as he rode alongside Graeme. “Nasty berry. Didnae know any grew here.”