Page 34 of Kilted Hate

Katherine looked from one brother to the other, hesitating to leave. Eventually, however, she nodded before hurriedly heading into the castle.

As they watched her go, Magnus said, “What have ye done tae her?”

Domhnall turned and frowned at him. “I’ve done naething at all.”

A smile danced on the corner of Magnus’s mouth. “Well, ye must have done something, braither. That’s the first time I’ve ever seen her so concerned fer yer welfare. And believe me. She is worried.”

“I dinnae have tae read her mind tae see that,” Domhnall murmured, feeling slightly bewildered.

Magnus nodded. “And ye’re surprised.”

“Can ye blame me, after all the animosity between us?”

“Nae really,” Magnus said.

Maybe she was in shock because of what had happened. Perhaps she’d never been in such a terrifying situation before. Whatever it was, Domhnall was still reeling over her concern. They had got off on the wrong foot, and, until today, little had improved. But then, while they had been riding, he had opened up to her far more than he ordinarily would any other. They had shared their feelings and allowed themselves to be a little vulnerable. Was that the way forward?

“Now,” Magnus said, cutting into his thoughts, “let’s go inside and ye can tell me what happened.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Katherine found one of the MacLeod sisters in the great hall talking animatedly with one of the guards, while at the same time, pointing to something across the room. There had been much activity in the last week, and Katherine had heard that the Yule log would be arriving in the coming days. No doubt, the conversation had something to do with that.

As Katherine approached, Domhnall’s sister, whichever one of them it was, sensed someone behind her, and turning, she smiled broadly at Katherine.

“Katherine,” she said openly.

“Hello…” Katherine hesitated and looked uncertain, for she did not want to make the mistake of addressing the wrong sister with the wrong name.

“Enya,” the lass said, her smile widening even further. “I ken, it is nearly impossible tae tell me and Thora apart.”

Katherine nodded. Perhaps, if she wasn’t so shaken up, she might have looked at Enya’s hair to see if she could really see any difference in the shade, but at that moment, her body trembled a little as a result of what she had witnessed.

Enya frowned then as she took in Katherine’s expression.

“Whatever is the matter?” She reached out a hand, taking hold of Katherine’s shaking arm. “Yer face is ashen and ye look like ye’ve just seen a ghost.”

“We were attacked,” Katherine blurted.

With her mouth falling open, Enya gasped. “When? Where? Are ye all right?” Taking a step back, the woman scanned Katherine’s body with her eyes.

“I’m fine, truly. I am more worried about your brother. He took on five men, and though he tells me he isn’t injured, I struggle to believe it can possibly be true.”

Enya went to speak, and then halted, as though monitoring her own speech. Katherine found that a little strange, but Enya continued so quickly, she had little time to consider it.

“I’m sure Domhnall is just fine. Ye, however, look like ye need something fer the shock. Come. We’ll go and see Brianna.”

“Brianna?” Katherine said.

Enya linked her arm and they began walking side by side out of the great hall. “Aye. She’s the castle healer.”

“But I heard you were a healer.”

Enya smiled. “I am o’ sorts. But everything I ken, I learned from Brianna.”

They headed out of the castle and with Enya taking the lead, they moved across the cobblestones of the courtyard outside. Several minutes later, they rounded the corner of a small cottage, and Enya, smiling at Katherine, came to a stop and knocked on the door.

When the door opened, they were met with a surprised smile. A smile that was somewhat toothless, but that didn’t take away from the warmth in the old woman’s face. Katherine noted her dark eyes and white wayward hair before the door was opened even wider, bidding them entrance.

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