Resisting the Highlander: A Scottish Romance Page 10

  There was no answer. Bridget felt an arm come around her throat and Margaret’s voice, harsh with the cunning of a depraved mind, hissed in her ear, “You won’t escape me this time, Bridget. You are through having everything your way while I have nothing.”

  Bridget couldn’t cry out because Margaret’s arm was so tight around her neck; she seemed to have the strength of a man. Struggling furiously on the narrow step, she managed to drag the arm away for a second and screamed, Aidan!”

  The arm tightened across her neck again. As she began losing consciousness, Bridget thought she heard footsteps running down the stairs.

  Aidan was already on his way down to the ladies when Bridget screamed. He flew down the staircase and found Margaret yelling like a mad woman. Aidan grabbed her arms and pulled her away from Bridget. Margaret raised her knee and thrust it into Bridget’s back causing her to lose balance and fall headfirst. She hit her head on a stone step as she fell and rolled to the bottom of the long stair way where she lay still.

  Aidan’s face darkened with anger. He yelled, “Sandy come and hold this mad woman, I’ve got to see what’s happened to Bridget!” Sandy must have heard the commotion because he was suddenly right behind him. As soon as he put his hands on Margaret, she quietened down and smiled.

  Aidan took two steps at a time as he rushed to the bottom of the stairs. A feeling of fear and panic engulfed him when he saw the still form stretched out on the cold stone floor.

  He whispered, “My God, Bridget.” Kneeling quickly beside her, he put his ear to her breast, listening for a heartbeat. He heard it, normal and steady. He breathed a sigh of relief and then passed his hands over her body, feeling for possible broken bones. He sighed and thanked God that nothing appeared broken, but was worried she could have a concussion.

  “Sandy,” he yelled, “bring that woman down here and lock her in the storeroom. We’ve got to find out what happened to her. She must have gone insane. Can you manage her?”

  “Aye, I’ve got her and can handle her easily. She seems docile enough now.”

  The presence of Sandy had a quieting effect on Margaret. She smiled at him as he locked her in the storeroom, seeming to think it was some kind of game.

  Aidan said, “Run quickly to the house now, and tell Mr. MacDonald what has happened. Ask him to bring a blanket. We must insulate Bridget against the cold of this floor. Doesn’t seem to be anything broken, but I don’t want to move her until the doctor gets here. After you tell Mr. MacDonald, run down the hill for Dr. Thompson. He is the closest, and for God’s sake tell him to hurry.”

  Sandy was off in a flash.

  NINE

  “What do you think, doctor?” Robert asked, face white and drawn with anxiety.

  “Well, Robert, just as Aidan said, there doesn’t seem to be anything broken, and that is a miracle in itself after falling that far, but possibly she rolled most of the way down. However, I would like to examine the young lady more thoroughly at the house. Let’s get her back there now. I’ll come here later and see the one responsible for this terrible thing.”

  “I’ll carry the lassie, sir, she’s not very heavy,” said Aidan as he bent down and picked Bridget up off the floor. In spite of the seriousness of the situation, his heart pounded furiously as he felt her body against his own, head lolling against his chest like a sleeping baby.

  At the castle, Bridget was placed on Robert’s bed, so she wouldn’t have to be carried upstairs. Besse was called in to undress her so the doctor could perform a more intensive examination.

  “Well, doctor?” Robert asked again in a hushed voice when he had finished.

  Dr. Thompson rubbed his chin with his hand before answering. “There are no broken bones, just as we thought. There are many bruises all over her body, but that is not serious and will clear up quickly. What I am concerned about is that nasty blow on her forehead. I’m quite sure it is not fatal but could cause temporary amnesia.”

  Besse’s hand flew to her mouth. “Amnesia? You mean she might not remember the accident?”

  The doctor smiled kindly. “She might not remember anything for a while. This has been a terrific shock to her system, and it may take another shock of some kind to restore her memory, if she has lost it. All we can do is wait until she wakes up and see.”

  Taking a small bottle from his case, he unscrewed the stopper and held it under Bridget’s nose. He gently moved it back and forth. In a few moments, she started moving her head from side to side as if trying to get away from the strong odor of the smelling salts.

  She started coughing and at last opened her eyes. They had a blank look in them.

  “Ah, Bridget, my girl,” said Robert, “you’re awake again.” She looked at him uncomprehendingly and closed her eyes.

  The doctor closely watched her movements before saying to Robert, “She is in no immediate danger and has youth on her side. I don’t believe there is any threat of a blood clot, but we will have to watch her closely.” He shifted his attention to Aidan. “I want you to keep putting cold compresses on her forehead. That will help to bring down the swelling.” He stood up. “That’s about all I can do for now but will come back again tonight to see her. Now let’s take a look at the one who is responsible for this near tragedy.”

  Robert looked at Aidan, whose face was pale. “Lad, take Dr. Thompson to see Margaret. Then go tell Bridget’s mother what has happened. Her father is away to the Highlands with the fishing fleet now and maybe that’s just as well. He would be out of his mind if he saw his Bridget like this.”

  “Right, sir,” answered Aidan, and accompanied the doctor back to the lighthouse.

  As Aidan went off to do his bidding, Robert sat down on a chair by the bedside. Resting his elbows upon it wearily, he leaned his head on his hands. He was not a praying man, but now an anguished plea sprang from his heart, “Oh, God, if it be Thy will, spare our lassie.”

  “Now, Alice, don’t go into hysterics,” Robert said to his daughter. “Dr. Thompson has assured me that Bridget is in good shape and it will just be a matter of time before she is her usual self again, but it may take a little while for her to get over this.”

  “Can I take her home, Father?”

  “Oh, lass, I know how you must feel. This is your bairn, but don’t you think she will be better here? She has gotten to love this place, and if she has lost her memory for a while, she might be better with the things she has got to used to in the past few months. You can come and spend some time with her every day, and I’ll get a nurse if it is necessary. Besides, I don’t think the doctor will allow her to be moved at this time.”

  Alice was crying softly as she looked at her daughter’s pale face and the swelling above her right eye.

  Besse came into the bedroom carrying a tea tray. “Here, Mrs. Campbell, have a cup of hot tea and you’ll feel better. We are all so broken up about the poor lamb. She is such a good girl, and I’ve come to love her like she was my own.”

  “I know, Besse, and she liked you, too. I’m grateful for your kindness to her,” Alice said, wiping her eyes.

  Besse’s face reddened momentarily, but she managed to keep hold of herself. “I don’t see how anyone could be anything but nice to her, she’s a wee angel,” she said, and off she went, weeping and berating the one responsible for this terrible thing.

  Bridget’s mother quickly took things in hand. She said to her father, “If I can’t take her home, I’m going to stay her for a few days and care for her. I would have no peace of mind otherwise wondering about her. Aileen and Bethia can go stay with their uncle’s family while I’m here. I wish James was home.”

  She looked at her father, wondering how he would react to what she had just told him, but whether he liked it or not, she was determined to stay near her injured daughter.

  “That’s fine, lass. It will be better for you to be here for a time. I’m quite sure she is going to be all right, but it will be a relief for me to know you are here.”

  “All
right then, Father. Will you sit with her until I come back? Then, I will take over. She will probably sleep for a while with the morphine tablet the doctor gave her. I want to be here when she wakes up. Poor lassie, I imagine her body will be very sore from all those bumps and bruises she has on her.”

  For a small, quiet woman, Alice was showing her authority, and at the moment nothing mattered to her but her child’s welfare. Secretly, Robert was relieved.

  Shortly after she had left, Aidan came to give Robert the news from Dr. Thompson about Margaret. Her mind seemed to have snapped, partly because of jealousy of Bridget but likely it would have happened eventually, he’d said. He had ordered her to be hospitalized for tests and observation.

  Aidan looked with concern at Robert’s pale face. “How’s our lassie now, sir?”

  “Just the same, son. Still asleep from whatever it was the doctor gave her. Oh, laddie, this has been a bad day for us all. Maybe I did wrong in bringing her here, and if my selfishness is to cause her some permanent damage, I’ll never get over it.”

  Aidan put his hand on the older man’s shoulder. “Don’t feel so badly about it, sir. The doctor seems to hold out great hope for her, but I am the one who should be feeling guilty. I should never have left her alone on the steps with her cousin, but how was I to know that Margaret would try anything like that?”

  He now looked at Bridget, lying so pale and quiet on the bed before him, his heart and body aching for her. He longed to hold her close and shelter her from any additional harm but that was impossible.

  It was just before supper of the same day when Bridget showed signs of life, tossing her head from side to side and moaning softly. Alice stroked her forehead, talking quietly to her. “It’s all right darlin, your mum is here. You’ll be safe enough now.”

  The gentle voice seemed to quieten Bridget. She grasped her mother’s hand tightly, but when she opened her eyes there was no recognition in them.

  “Don’t you know me, Bridget?” Alice asked. Bridget silently looked around with a blank stare. Her gaze settled on her grandfather. She held out her hand to him. When he took it in his own she held on to him tightly as if frightened.

  With tears in her eyes, Alice said, “She doesn’t know who I am. Oh, Bridget, my lassie.”

  At about the same moment, Dr. Thompson arrived to see his patient.

  “Well, Bridget, how are we tonight? You are looking much better than the last time I saw you.”

  As he bent over her, a frightened look came into Bridget’s face and she clung to Robert’s hand.

  “There now, Bridget, my girl,” said Robert, “it’s all right, no one is going to hurt you. This is Dr. Thompson.” She relaxed somewhat then, but still clung to Robert’s hand and remained silent.

  When he had finished his examination the doctor said, “Physically she is fine, but just as I thought she apparently has a temporary memory loss. She seems to recognize you, Robert, that’s why she clings to you in her bewilderment.”

  “Her mother wants to take her home, doctor.”

  “No, no, Mrs. Campbell,” the doctor said emphatically, shaking his head side to side. “That would be the worst thing you could do right now. She would feel completely lost away from the surroundings she has gotten used to, but you could stay here with her if you can.”

  Wiping away her tears, Alice answered, “I was planning on staying ’till she’s up and around again. How long do you think that will be?”

  “I would like her to stay in bed at least three, maybe four days and to rest completely. Don’t try to force her to eat too much either. Just thin broth or beef tea, and maybe an occasional piece of toast. Rest is the best thing for her now. I’ll leave these mild tablets with you but just give her one at night to make sure she gets her sleep. I will look in again tomorrow, but there isn’t much any of us can do. Rest, love, and understanding are the only things that will bring her back. It will take an awful lot of patience.”

  “We will do all we can, doctor,” said Alice, “and thank you very much for your help and concern.”

  That night, Alice insisted on sleeping with Bridget, but Robert was the only one from whom she would accept the sleeping tablet.

  The next morning, Aidan left the house early for another work day and in passing the room where the two women were sleeping, noticed the door was slightly ajar. He pushed it wider, thinking Alice might be in need of help. They were both asleep, Bridget cradled in her mother’s arms, head resting against her bosom.

  Motherless as a small lad, Aidan had never experienced such a love. He quietly closed the door, feeling a choking sensation in his chest as he walked down the hall.

  TEN

  As the doctor had said, youth was definitely on Bridget’s side, and in less than a week nothing could keep her in bed. Robert was the only one she seemed to recall. She wanted to be with him constantly.

  She’d moved back into her own bedroom, saying it seemed familiar and comfortable. As Robert, Alice, and Bridget sat together there, Robert told his granddaughter, “Look now, lassie, this is your mother who loves you very much and wants to help you just like I do. Don’t you remember?”

  Bridget looked at her mother closely, touching her cheek with the backs of her fingers. “I–I seem to know you, but I can’t remember very well. When I try, my head hurts.” She turned away and held her head between her hands.

  Alice, sick at heart, said, “Don’t try too hard, love. The doctor says your memory will come back when you least expect it.” She decided it was time to return to her own home and the rest of her family, knowing in her heart there was nothing she could do to hurry Bridget’s recovery.

  She said to her father, “James will be home soon. Maybe Bridget will remember him?”

  Robert smiled weakly. “I hope so, lass, I hope so, but if not we will do as the doctor says and give her all the love and care we are capable of. We’ll pray that in some way her memory will return.”

  As the days passed, the swelling over Bridget’s eye went down but refused to subside completely. One day, she asked her grandfather what had caused it.

  “You had a bad fall, lass,” he answered her, “but don’t worry about it. The swelling will go away in time.”

  “My head feels funny, Robert. There is something I ought to know, but I just don’t know what it is.”

  Changing the subject, Robert said, “It’s a beautiful day, lassie, and we might not get many more of them. Let’s take a walk down to see the horses. Would you like that?”

  Without much interest she replied, “If you like, Grandfather.” She then said something that gave Robert a ray of hope. “Come on, Sarge, don’t you want to go with us?”

  The collie wagged his tail vigorously and came closer to have his head rubbed.“That’s a good fellow,” she said.

  Robert was hopeful that remembering the dog’s name was a sign that her memory was returning, but he didn’t say anything lest she feel pressured.

  The three of them set off across the grass, still wet from morning dew. They walked towards the fenced in area where the horses were let out every day to graze and exercise.

  The big stallion was in the training ring. Bridget’s eyes lit up with pleasure as she spied him, and before Robert could stop her, she quickly climbed to the top rail and seated herself, exclaiming, “Oh, Robert, that beautiful horse. Come on over here, boy, so I can see you better.”

  The huge animal whinnied as if in recognition and trotted over to the fence where she sat. She put her arms about his neck and rubbed his long face, talking softly to him all the while. “If only I had some sugar to give him, or an apple.”

  A masculine voice behind her said, “Here, Bridget, I’ve got sugar. Carry it with me all the time.”

  She turned towards the sound of the voice. She gazed into the man’s dark eyes as she held her hand out for the sugar.

  “This is Aidan, lassie,” said Robert.

  “Oh, then this must be your horse. Is it all right for me to pet
him?”

  “Anytime, Miss Bridget, he seems to like you, but don’t ever go into the ring with him,” he cautioned, “unless I’m here. He might get scared and hurt you unintentionally.”

  He smiled as he spoke. She liked his smile. Smiling back at him, she said softly, “I’ll remember, Aidan. Thank you for the sugar.” She turned back toward the stallion and fed him the sugar lumps. When he finished eating them, she hugged and petted him again before turning to leave.

  “Here, Bridget, let me help you down,” Aidan said, extending his arms towards her, “we don’t want you falling again.” He started to reach for her and then hesitated. She smiled encouragingly and he put his hands gently around her waist. She liked the feel of his hands as he lifted her to the ground.

  As Aidan set her down, she noticed two other horses with foals in the next enclosure. Several questions entered her mind. “Why aren’t the animals all in the same place, Aidan?”

  “Well, lassie, while the babies are so young, we have to keep them and their mothers away from the other mares who don’t have babies. Otherwise, they would try to steal the foals away.”

  “Would they really do that?” she questioned, looking from Aidan to Robert.

  “Oh aye, lassie, that they would, and with the fighting that would ensue, the babies could be badly injured or even killed.”

  “Well, I never,” said Bridget in disbelief, surprised at how she suddenly felt protective over the young foals. “I always thought horses were such gentle animals. You must tell me more about their habits sometime, Aidan. I find it most interesting. But I must go back to the house now. I feel a bit tired.”

  She smiled shyly at him and took her grandfather’s arm as they started to make their way back to the castle.