Kevin was distraught. "A red fox spooked her horse and he threw her. She is injured."

"Where? Does she hurt inside?"

"I do not know, she is knocked completely out. Her arms and legs do not appear to be broken."

Blair examined her with his eyes. A bruise on her cheekbone had already begun to darken her eye. Her hair was covered by a scarf, but he saw no blood, nor did he see any on her clothing. He did, however notice how beautiful she was and he had to make himself concentrate on more important things. "I will not let her die."

"Good."

"How do we change her plaid?"

"I will do it; Charlet is like a daughter to me. I will need you to hold her up, however."

Blair got off his horse and untied a bundle. He pulled out a Cameron plaid, laid it on his horse and tied the bundle back up. Then he took the woman out of Kevin's arms. As tenderly as he could, he lowered her feet to the ground, turned her, put his big hands on her waist from behind and held her up. Charlet's body was limp and her chin rested on her chest, but there was little he could do about that. Her clothes were wet and he noticed Kevin's were too. They swam the moat, he guessed. "You know how to pleat a lass' plaid?"

Kevin smiled and dismounted. "You will learn it as well when you take a wife. They are sometimes too...irritated to do it themselves. A wise man waits until she is less irritated, takes her in his arms, holds her, kisses her lips, and then helps her with the plaid."

"I see." He didn't really see and realized he had a lot to learn. He should have had sisters, but it was a little late for that now.

Kevin encouraged Blair to move his hands higher, then untied her leather belt and let the MacGreagor plaid slip to the ground. He noticed the young man divert his eyes and wondered if that was for his benefit or if Blair was somehow embarrassed. "She has agreed to use the name, Bridget."

"Bridget," Blair repeated. "'Tis a good name."

Kevin worked quickly and soon had Charlet's plaid changed and noticed relief in Blair's eyes when he finally finished. Kevin scooped Charlet up into his arms and waited for the younger man to mount his horse. Just as he had the first time he held her, he kissed her cheek. "We love you wee one, come back to us." He put her into Blair's strong arms and then looked him in the eye. "I now trust you with a gift given to me by the King of England. You will tell no one and you will protect her with your life."




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