Page 39 of Bride of the Wicked Laird
Everard walked away from his chamber, a smile still on his lips. There was no doubt in his mind that Davina was a most pleasant diversion from his everyday duties and the endless concerns that dogged him as laird.
He was eagerly awaiting further news from Hugo, who would be nearing the coast of France by now, if he was not already there. It would take him some days, if not weeks, to scour the docks in search of the information he required about MacDougall’s shipping. Until word came, Everard would have to curb his impatience. Something that never sat well with him.
He sauntered down to the slipway in search of Ranald Dunbar. He was expecting one of his birlinns to arrive soon with cargo from the islands. Not least of it was a consignment of whisky he’d been promised from his friends in Jura. Although there was a supply of whisky available to him from the distillers on Barra, to his taste, the whisky from Jura was peerless.
Dunbar emerged from his cottage above the slipway and hastened to greet him. “Good day, me laird.”
Together the two men inspected the repairs he’d previously ordered. While good progress had been made on the sails, the timber had not yet been replaced.
Dunbar was apologetic. “Slow progress I’m afraid. The weather has been against us.”
Everard frowned. “God’s blood, Dunbar.” He ran his fingers through his hair, and huffed. “Ye ken we need all our boats tae be seaworthy.”
Dunbar gave a conciliatory nod. “Aye. I’ll lean harder on the men.”
They left unspoken the ever-present concern that dogged them. The possibility of raiders or an attack from an enemy from across the sea. Something they could never foresee but which depended on their ships’ being watchful.
“I dinnae like tae see so many of our boats tied up fer repairs, lad. It leaves us vulnerable.”
This brought a glum nod from his gockman, but it also brought Everard’s thoughts full circle. He could not discount the possibility of Davina’s pursuers coming after her to Kiessimul.
Until he had knowledge of Davina’s past, he could not settle his mind to contemplate her future. She was charming and delightful to look upon and had wheedled her way into his thoughts in a way that left him astonished. When he was with her, he couldn’t help being gentler than he thought possible. The wee kitten and the wee lass had wrapped themselves around his heart.
Yet, she was surrounded by danger. Two ruffians had been seeking her on the Island of Mull and it was clear they meant her harm. She was running from the nunnery after having been taken there against her will as a child, yet he believed her to be of noble birth.
The question bedeviled him. Why would a nobleman discard his daughter in such a way?
“I thank ye, Dunbar. I will come again tomorrow tae review the progress.”
He left Ranald Dunbar and returned to the castle. On his way, he determined to call in to visit Healer Broderick, curious as to what the lad thought of Davina.
He found him attending to one of the castle maids who was seated on a stool, moaning in pain while Broderick bandaged her ankle. He and the lass both looked up as Everard entered the infirmary.
“Dinnae mind me, lad. I’m only here tae have a wee word wi’ ye. I’m happy tae wait while ye attend tae yer doctoring.”
He wandered outside, chuckling to himself as he noted the large puddle that still remained by the herb garden and the damage the goat had wrought to the sprouting herbs.
The maid hobbled past him aided by a stout stick. As she passed him, she bobbed her head. “The healer is free now, me laird.”
He went back inside the infirmary, looking around at the sparsely stocked shelves.
“I see ye can dae wi’ a few more jars and bottles to fill yer racks.”
Broderick wiped his hands on his apron and nodded. “Aye. Yet now Davina is working wi’ me I ken there will be more.” He gestured toward a collection of jars. “She brought me many valuable salves and creams after her visit wi’ the tinker. I owe ye me thanks, me laird.”
“I should dae more tae help ye, Broderick. Yer work is necessary and greatly valued. It is imperative that yer stocks should not diminish. Now that ye have an assistant, ye will have more time tae visit the village and ensure ye have all that is needed here.”
Broderick nodded. “I am grateful fer Davina’s skills. She has been taught well and has much experience with many ailments.” He offered a wry grin. “Although, I fear she kens little about the midwife’s trade.”
“I daresay there wasnae a great deal of call fer a midwife in the Priory.”
After speaking with him for a few more minutes, Everard left the infirmary resolving to ask Mildred to ensure that sufficient blankets and pillows were provided to Broderick. From his brief inspection, it seemed there was nothing for the sick or wounded to rest upon other than a harsh wooden frame that would do little to aid in recovery.
He was pleased to hear that his healer valued Davina’s skills and felt a small curl of pride in his chest on her behalf. Not only was she sweet and beautiful, she was a learned and skillful healer. Except for…
Of course, the lass kent aught about childbirth. Just as she would ken naught about what took place between a man and a woman in the making of such an event.
Not for the first time, he cursed his lust. He took a deep breath, filling his lungs and breathing out slowly. To his shame he couldn’t look upon the lass without a stirring of lust. Yet, there were times when he’d glimpsed a darkening in those golden eyes of hers when she’d looked into his.
