"I'm not certain every woman feels that way. You might ask Nannag about it."

Jessie was too embarrassed to ask the healer about it now. Nannag always gave her that sweet, knowing smile every time Jessie and Torrin were together. Did Jessie really want her to know she and Torrin had been intimate? Nay. Jessie would just wait and see if she developed any of the symptoms Isobel talked about. But she was starting to fear she never would.

***

'Twas near noon and Torrin still lay in bed, thankful the pain was not as bad as it had been. The rest of his men and several others had visited during the morning, but Jessie had not yet returned. Though he would love to see her, he hoped she was having a good nap. Flora had just given him another half cup of the herbal tea for pain and fever when Dirk appeared at the open door.

"How are you feeling?" Dirk asked, entering the room.

"Better. I think you have the best healers in Scotland here at Dunnakeil."

Dirk gave a sharp nod and glanced at Flora. "I have to agree with you there."

Flora actually blushed, then executed a small curtsy. "I thank you both. Nannag is a skilled teacher. I'll just be in the corridor if you should need me." Flora exited and closed the door behind her.

"I must thank you for your hospitality these last few weeks," Torrin said. "I was not trying to impose. I wanted to protect Jessie from that knavish MacBain."

"Aye. She told me what an impressive job you did in rescuing her from MacBain in the attempted kidnapping, and when Haldane took you both hostage."

"'Twas the least I could do."

Dirk should know by now that Torrin would do anything to protect Jessie, even if it meant giving up his life for hers.

"I need to tell you something." Dirk appeared solemn, almost pained.

"I know what you're going to say. Haldane told me."

Dirk frowned. "About your brother?"

"Aye. I ken Nolan was an outlaw and deserved to die." Grief and regret sliced through Torrin again, despite all. "How did it happen?"

Dirk sat on the chair by the bed. "Well, he and the other outlaws attacked our camp in the middle of the night, about a day's ride south of Munrick. While I was fighting McMurdo at the front of our tent, Nolan cut into the back of the tent and abducted Isobel. He put her on a horse and rode away with her. I took out after them. There was no way in hell I was going to let him hurt my wife." Dirk's frown was fearsome, and Torrin could only imagine how furious the man had been. 'Twas the same rage he'd felt when both MacBain and Haldane had captured Jessie.

"'Tis what I would've done, too," Torrin said. In fact, he had killed Haldane for taking Jessie hostage.

"I caught up to Nolan and Isobel," Dirk continued. "We leapt off the horses and had a sword dual. 'Twas a fair and equal fight. I knocked his sword away and cut his throat. I didn't want to, but he gave me no choice." Anguish reflected in Dirk's pale blue eyes. "He was intent on raping and killing Isobel."

Torrin nodded, anger at his own brother twisting through him. He was ashamed of Nolan. "He would have if you hadn't stopped him."

"I had the men bury him in a small wood there," Dirk said solemnly. "And I brought his weapons and possessions to you. I have them downstairs in the armory."

Torrin cleared his throat, trying to shove away the constricting grief. "I thank you. You're a good man to do that."

"I hope you can forgive me, and that you and your clan won't hold it against me."

Torrin shook his head. "Naught to forgive. I'd say we're even, because I had no choice but to kill your brother."

"Since he was bent on killing me, I must thank you for that—sad as I am to say it. And of a certainty, I must thank you for saving Jessie's life."

"You don't need to thank me for that. Jessie is… my life," Torrin said, his chest aching with love for her.

Dirk's sharp gaze searched his, and a bit of friendly amusement quirked one corner of his mouth. "She would do well to marry you. Have you convinced her yet?"

"Nay." Disappointment weighed heavily upon him. "She won't agree to it yet."

"Why?"

"I probably shouldn't tell you this, but… she thinks she's barren. I don't believe it. But because I'm a chief who needs an heir, she won't allow me to make that sacrifice. I'd marry her either way."

"Well, that's between you and Jessie. I'll not interfere."

"I wish you would. As her brother and the chief, you could force her to marry me." Torrin allowed a small smile, halfway teasing.

Dirk snorted. "I don't think anyone can force Jessie to do anything she doesn't want to. She's lethal with a knife, you ken."

"She is, indeed. I've seen her in action."

Dirk raised a brow.

"With a knife," Torrin added, wondering if Dirk would force Jessie to marry him, or kill him, if he knew they'd shared a bed. Torrin probably shouldn't risk it. Besides, it would embarrass Jessie. And of a certainty, he didn't want to tell Dirk that Jessie had knocked him to the ground when he wasn't paying attention.

"I also want to thank you for rescuing Aiden," Dirk said. "Without doubt, Haldane would've killed him, too, given the opportunity."

"I was glad to help. Aiden is a good man, even if he is a wee bit naïve."

"He is that. He wants to believe, deep down, everyone is as kind-hearted as he is. We're going to have a brief funeral for Haldane out on the cliffs. Aiden wants to play the pipes as a final tribute."

Torrin nodded, imagining the clan out there with the wind off the North Sea whipping their plaids and carrying away the high skirl of the bagpipes. 'Twas far better than Haldane deserved, considering how horridly he'd treated his siblings and clan. But Torrin would do the same for his own brother, once he found his burial site.

"Since McMurdo and MacBain are still on the loose, I'm not allowing any of the ladies to attend the funeral," Dirk said.

"I'm glad."

"All the men will be heavily armed, except for Reverend MacMahon."

"Is Aiden angry with me for killing his brother?" Torrin asked.

"Nay. He knew someone would have to kill Haldane to stop him."

"What of the MacBains?" Torrin asked. Iain and his men had already told him Gregor MacBain was not among the dead on the beach, but he wondered if Dirk knew anything more about the knave.

"Eight of them died in the skirmish, and the rest fled over the hill. We found where they'd had their horses hidden in the trees and bushes in a small glen. They rode south. We also found Gil there, dead. One of the MacBains must have killed him."

"Haldane's archer?" Torrin asked, recalling how the lad had shot an arrow at him, then run away like a coward while Jessie hung off the cliff.

"Aye."

"I thought they were on the same side. Why would the MacBains kill him?"

"I have no inkling, unless they felt betrayed somehow."

Torrin shook his head. "I don't think I've seen the last of that Gregor MacBain bastard."

***

Three days later, Torrin was well enough to venture down to the great hall for the feast Dirk had ordered prepared. The servants had decorated the large room with heather, greenery and sweet-scented wildflowers. But his favorite part was sitting beside Jessie.

Though in horrible pain at times, as well as a bit lightheaded and queasy, Torrin had enjoyed spending time with Jessie during the last three days. Since he had improved quickly, she hadn't spent all night with him again. She'd brought him every meal, but he had insisted on feeding himself.