That was what he told himself…but the truth was, he needed to make sure he didn’t become attached to her, either.
He picked her up and carried her the rest of the way to the kitchens. At the door, he kicked it with his foot until it was opened. As he set Mari on a stool, the women all gasped and turned to glare at him.
“I deserve your ire and more,” he said. “I left my boots out on the floor and she tripped. Do you have some of that nasty tea that lessens the pain?” He was fine with their disregard, but he wanted them to help Mari if they could.
“We do,” Kenna said, her lips pressed together as she turned Mari’s face one way and the other to appraise the damage.
“Her ankle is swollen as well. I’m such a fool. Can ye help her, please?”
“Yes.” Kenna waved him to the door. “Go have your morning meal. We’ll take care of her.”
He waited there by the door despite his desire to flee their narrowed glares. “I want to help if I can.” There was no way he’d be able to eat anything with blame tearing up his belly.
“You can’t help, so just go away.” Kenna patted his shoulder and smiled.
“It’s fine. Go and have your meal,” Mari said, and he realized she was trying to hide her pain for his benefit. She was sparing him more distress by pretending she wasn’t hurting.
He blew out a breath. “I’ll be back to take you where you need to go. I don’t think you should walk with your ankle puffed up like that.”
She nodded, and he turned to the door.
“Promise you’ll wait for me to come back before you go anywhere.”
“I promise,” she said easily.
In the hall, he sat down, and a serving girl came rushing over with his meal. He waved her away. He was afraid to eat for fear it would come back up. The knots in his stomach only twisted tighter. He was supposed to be working with his men today, but at this rate he’d not be able to focus on his sword and would be sliced in two.
Nay. He’d not be good for anything until he confessed his sin.
…
“I truly did fall. Cameron didn’t do this on purpose,” Mari repeated. Again. She’d told the women the story as soon as her husband left.
They all looked at one another and nodded.
“Of course we know Cam didn’t do this,” Kenna said while stirring the foul-smelling brew. “He would never hurt a woman. He’s a wreck because you’re hurt and feels responsible, which he should—how careless to leave his boots lying about!—but he’s a man who would sooner die than cause his woman harm.”
Mari knew this in her heart, but the duke had also seemed peaceable in public though truly was not. Sometimes people acted one way when around others and another in private.
She’d only been in the kitchen a little while when Cameron stuck his head in again. “Are you well?”
“Yes. I feel better now that Kenna forced this sorry excuse for tea down my throat.” She and Kenna shared a smile.
“You’re not in pain.”
“Not much.” She thought her answer would appease him, but he frowned and rubbed his forehead. “Really, not at all,” she amended, hoping it would soothe the sorrowful look from his face. When it didn’t help, she gave him a smile.
From the strained look on his face, her smile must not have been all that reassuring. When she felt the trickle of blood from the opened wound, she understood. She was a mess.
“It’s not your fault,” she offered.
Espath harrumphed. “Mayhap next time you won’t leave your boots lying about so someone might fall over them,” she scolded him.
With a groan and another apology, he backed away and left the kitchen.
“I don’t know what he’s about. Normally he’s a very tidy man.” Kenna shook her head and went back to her ministrations with Mari’s ankle.
“You shouldn’t be working,” Mari said, watching the door. There would be trouble if Lachlan came in and saw Kenna bending over her ankle.
“You do remember I have two wee boys already who keep me moving all day? I’m glad for this small rest. I love them dearly, but all their energy… They get it by draining other people, I think.”
They laughed together.
“Try walking on it now,” Kenna ordered.
Mari took a step and then another. She nodded. “I wouldn’t want to walk for miles, but it’s not so bad now. Thank you.”
Kenna gave a pleased smile. “Good.”
“I’ll try my best not to limp in front of Cameron. I don’t want to pile more guilt upon him.”
Kenna’s eyes went wide. “Are ye mad? You’re in the perfect position to get whatever your heart desires. He’s so guilt-ridden he’d likely do anything for you.”
“Anything?” Mari wondered with a raised brow…though more to herself.
“Well, perhaps not that. Men have a funny idea that they will hurt you worse if they give in to their randy ways. They think us fragile and breakable.”
“Anyway, I wouldn’t want him to do…that…simply because he felt guilty.”
Kenna chuckled. “I’m sure it would be no hardship for him. You should give it a try.”
For the rest of the day, it seemed Cameron avoided her. Twice she’d seen him come into the hall, and both times as soon as he saw her he turned and left again.
Was he repulsed by her injuries? A shiver of fear went down her spine at the memory of her late husband looking on her with disgust. She swallowed down her unease.
Cameron was nothing like Endsmere. He was kind and gentle.
Thanks to Kenna’s suggestion, Mari had been thinking of the things she might ask for, now that Cameron was pliable to her wishes.
Things like kisses and touches. And other things that made her face heat.
Despite coming up with a number of good fantasies, she knew she’d be too frightened to ask Cameron for what she wanted. Though it wouldn’t make a difference if he stayed away from her until she healed.
She almost hoped he had gotten her letter. She thought about the words she’d written. How she’d told him she liked his kiss.
She was sitting in the corner of the hall working on her sister’s embroidery with her foot propped up per Kenna’s instructions when the young man, Liam, came in and handed her a letter.
“The war chief asked me to deliver this to you.”
“Thank you,” she said with a puzzled nod.