Katie pulled a chair up next to Anna's bed and sat down. "It is all right to cry, you know. We are family now and I will not blame you."
When the door opened, Katie slipped out of the chair, and just before she left her brother alone with his wife, she touched his arm and whispered, "The bleeding has stopped; she will live."
He hardly knew what to say, so he just watched her for a moment. Parts of her hair had been clipped so near her scalp, it was a wonder she wasn't cut. Her eyes were closed and he thought she was asleep, so he quietly sat down in the chair and covered her hand with his. Her skin was much warmer now, but when she pulled away, he knew she was awake. "I am sorry we were not there in time to protect you."
She lifted her head a little. "You could not protect me."
"Who did this to you?"
She didn't answer.
"Did you see their faces?"
Again, she didn't answer.
"Tell me!" He hadn't meant to raise his voice and when he saw her tense, he instantly regretted it. In a much softer tone, he said, "Anna, you are surrounded by lads who will give their lives to protect you. You are safe now and you need not fret."
"They cannot protect me."
"Aye, but they can. You are new to the Highlands and you do not yet understand our strength. You will see; we can protect you." He walked to the door and when he looked back, her eyes were closed.