Chapter 63

Izzy sighed and let the warmth around her slowly bring her awake. It was rare, she realized, for her bath to be so warm and deep. Normally by the time she and Mary got it filled, it was only just warm enough not to feel cold.

English ladies spoke in soft whispers all around her and she could smell lavender. Was she bathing in Fraser? Her eyes shot open to see half a dozen women rushing about the room. Gasping, she grasped at the linen on the side of the tub and pulled it to cover herself.

“M’lady!” Izzy turned toward the familiar voice and saw Mary rushing forward. “I’m so glad yer awake! They were nay sure that ye would. I told them ye were too strong and stubborn to let a bit of water and a cool breeze rob ye of yer life!”

“Gair? Ellie?”

All the women stared at her in silence for a moment and then hurried off. She felt tears burning her eyes. Had they both died because of her choice to move Ellie? “What has happened, Mary? I demand that ye tell me!”

“Lady MacDonald has some bruises