Page 25 of To Charm a Highlander

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Callum and Donella were clinging to each other’s hands when she finished her story.Both Haydon’s information and Dorathia’s.

“Ye did a fine job of telling the tale, sweetheart.I doona want to push ye for more, since I can see this has caused ye a great deal of distress.”

“Aye, but every time I speak of it, the telling gets easier.”She shook her head.“I’m no’ sure I want to ken more of it.”She sighed and looked Callum in the eye.“Are ye sure ye still wish to speak with Haydon about courting me?”

He raised his hand and cupped her cheek.“Lass, I want to court ye more than ever.Ye are a strong woman and if the horror of what ye suffered should return, I want to be the mon who helps ye through it.”

A small tear slid down her cheek.He wiped it with his thumb.She felt a sense of relief at Callum’s words.

“Now that ye had yer broth and tea, I have something here Dorathia gave me to help ye sleep again so yer body can heal.”Donella reached behind her to the table alongside the bed.

“I will take it, Donella, but no more after this.I’m a warrior and canno’ be lying about in bed like an old woman.”

“All right, I will let Dorathia ken ye want no more.”She reached out and touched his forehead.“Ye are getting a tad warm again.”

He took the cup of liquid Donella held out to him.“Ach, lass, ‘tis no’thing.In the morning I will be up and back on the lists.”

Donella sat with him until he fell asleep, then made her way quietly out of the room.Ainslee was just about to enter the room when Donella left.

“How is he doing?”Ainslee asked.

“His fever is back, but the stubborn mon insists he will return to the lists in the morning.”

Ainslee joined arms with Donella and moved them forward.“Ach, sister, ye might as well learn that men doona feel their worth unless they are waving their sword around.”

Apparently on her way to Haydon’s solar, Donella stopped them as they reached the door.“Can I ask ye something?”

“Of course.What is it ye want to ken?”

Donella sighed and looked away.“Callum plans to speak with Haydon about courting me.”

She wasn’t sure what she expected, but when Ainslee said nothing for a few moments, Donella looked at her with anxiety.“What is it?”

Ainslee smiled.“Ach, doona fash yerself, lass.‘Twill be no surprise to yer brother.We have both noticed the attachment ye both seemed to form almost from the time Callum caught ye in his arms as ye flew down the stairs like a bird.”

“I had a conversation with Haydon and Dorathia about what happened to me all those years ago.”

Ainslee nodded.

“Then I dinna want to remember what had been missing from the story.”She looked at Ainslee.“Does that make me a weak woman?”

Ainslee hugged her.“Nay.Ye are a strong woman, and if the memory comes back to ye, I ken ye will overcome it now that ye have many who love ye.”

“Thank ye, sister.I want more than anything to have a normal life.I doona remember how I was before the fall, but from what I’ve been told and how I’ve been treated, I will fight with all my mind and body to keep from becoming that person again.”

“I have faith in ye, Donella.”Ainslee opened the door to Haydon’s solar and Donella continued downstairs.

* * *

After only a fewhours on the List, Callum was exhausted, but refused to give up.Until Malcolm walked up to him as he was bent over, trying his best to keep from collapsing on the ground like an old woman.

“So ye think yer in good e’ough shape to defend the castle, lad?”

Callum was afraid to shake his head in denial since he kenned that was all he needed to finish his humiliation and either pass out or bring up his last meal at Malcolm’s feet.

“Nay, but I canna lie around in bed like some weak lass.”