Merida held another tray of food and drink. She set it down near the first one and turned to study Ella. “Sleep terrors?”

Ella shook her head. Actually, she had slept quite well, with none of the usual dreams of hiding Jamie and herself.

“Well, she is a warrior,” Hannah said, signaling for Ella to sit. As soon as Ella lowered, Hannah gently pulled her hair back and started to comb through the mess of curls. “Let us get these snags smoothed out.”

Merida bent to look closer at the line across Ella’s throat and nodded. “A shallow cut. It may even heal without a scar.” She glanced at Jamie. “Although the boy will likely have one to boast over.”

“Has anyone seen to Florie Sutherland?” Ella asked, her hands fisting in her lap.

“Aye, she is well enough after being filled with whisky and tied up,” Merida said. “An achy head, troubled stomach, and rope burns will heal quick enough, especially now that she knows ye are well.” Merida held out a small clay jar of ointment. “Use this on the cut. I sent some to your lady last eve for the burns.”

Thank goodness. Sweet Florie would have no defense against such wickedness. “Did Kenneth take it?” Ella asked.

A glance passed between Merida and Hannah before Hannah smiled weakly. “Nay. Your steward remained here through the night.”

Ella twisted in her seat, catching Hannah’s arm. “Is he well?”

She nodded. “My brothers…well…Cain needed to question him.”

Ella’s eyes widened. Did Cain know Kenneth brought the poison for her to use? “Where is Kenneth now?” Another glance passed between them. “Stop that,” Ella said louder than she’d intended, but Jamie didn’t rouse from his exhaustion. “Just tell me,” she whispered.

Merida folded her hands before her, her face serious. “He spent the night in the dungeon for admitting that he brought the poison for ye to use on Cain.”

Ella’s heart hammered against her breastbone, and she swallowed, shaking her head slowly. “I was not going to use it,” she said, her gaze meeting Merida’s with truth. “On any of you. Kenneth does not know you like I do now. To him, Sinclairs are all monsters bent on rape and killing.”

Merida’s lips were pinched tight, but she nodded. “There have been many untruths believed between our clans.”

Ella stood. “I need to tell Cain.”

Merida gently pushed her back into the chair. “He is not here right now, and I believe that your steward already told him as much.”

Merida stood before Ella while Hannah worked quietly on her hair. “And Cain must have decided that he acted to save ye, or Kenneth would still be locked up in the dungeon,” Hannah said. “Which he is not.”