Page 41 of Highlander’s Claim

Using their axes, the men cut the ropes with the hooks. “To the oars!” Aulay roared.

And as thirty men sat at the oars and arrows began hitting their ship again, Aulay put all the power that he had into a single command.

“Row!”

CHAPTER 17

Hot water burned Aulay’s wound as he lowered himself into the bath, and he let out a sharp hiss. The tub was large and looked like an oversize wine barrel with three steps to climb inside. He had refused Bhatair treating him. Six of his warriors were wounded very badly and needed the physician more than he did. Out of thirty, five hadn’t come back home today. Five of his great men who wouldn’t hug and kiss their wives and mothers. Two more children would be fatherless.

Aulay leaned against the wall of the tub and closed his eyes, letting the guilt and the sadness take him. He didn’t think he would ever come to terms with the deaths of the men he led into battle. Aye, death was always the risk of a soldier’s life. But that didn’t make it any easier. He’d been desperate to know if the English had found the treasure ship, at the cost of being outnumbered three to one.

Blood oozed into the water from his shoulder wound. He’d get it treated once he was sure the men had been taken care of. He’d noticed Jennifer bringing Bhatair clean linens and water. And he’d seen genuine concern in her eyes. An enemy wouldn’t look worried for his men. Seeing her focused, efficient, and so caring made him feel better, breathe easier. Aulay regretted that he had spoken so harshly to her yesterday.

He didn’t believe the nonsense about time travel, but it was possible she was convinced she was telling the truth. Maybe in reality, she was a wee different…or had too wild an imagination…

Or what if she was right?

No. Mayhap it was his desire for her that clouded his mind. Even as they’d sailed, he’d kept thinking about her. He’d never wanted anyone like he wanted her. With Leitis, it had been an arranged marriage, and they had come to love each other deeply. It was never this burning, unyielding need to have her. It was almost like a sickness.

There was a knock at the door.

“Aye,” he said as he picked up a washcloth, wincing when a sharp pain pierced his shoulder.

He heard the door open and light steps came inside. “I just wanted to check on you…”

It was her voice, her sweet, melodic accent, and he turned his head to her. Her red hair stuck out of a wee headscarf with blood smudges on it. There were also bloodstains on Leitis’s dress, but her hands were clean.

Her gaze felt like the bubbles of a hot spring on his skin. Surprising himself, he felt nervous, something he hadn’t felt since he was an adolescent lad having his first encounter with a woman. He was naked in front a woman he desired.

And he felt another desire that was new and strange… He wanted her to like him.

“I heard you were wounded,” she said. “Did Bhatair treat you?”

“Dinna ye fash about me. If ye want to help, go and help my men instead.”

“They’re all patched up and are resting. May I see?”

He chuckled. “Lass, ye’re seeing everything already. I have nothing to hide.”

To his satisfaction, her face lit up red as a torch. “Show me your wound, I mean,” she said.

He nodded and leaned forward. She approached the tub. When she touched him around the wound, it felt like knives piercing him. “It’s not deep, but it needs cleaning and stitches and a dressing. Main thing is that it doesn’t get infected. Is it all right if I stitch it?”

“Can ye?”

“Yes of course, I’m a doctor…um…a healer.” She chuckled. “I borrowed some thread and a needle from Bhatair. I thought you might need them.”

He shook his head. “Lass, ye dinna give up, do ye?”

“No. I told you. I took an oath.”

As she worked on his shoulder, he clenched his teeth to stop from groaning and screaming. To distract himself from the pain, which felt like small teeth tearing his muscles apart, he rubbed the clean cloth over his body. Warm water helped to dull the pain. When she was finally finished, he sighed with relief.

“You should get out of the tub,” she said. “And I’ll dress the wound. You should keep the wound out of water for a few days after.”

He met her sparkling eyes, and without looking away from her, he stood up. All his previous hesitation melted away when her eyes slowly went down his body. They widened in surprise, and she bit her lip. When they dropped to his crotch, her mouth fell open.

Her chest rose and fell quicker, her eyes darkened, her lips were lush and red.