Page 14 of The Plight of a Scottish Lass
Thane spun away quickly, shocked to see the bruises on Tamsin’s body. He whipped his head back around as if he’d been burned. He’d seen men beaten that badly, but never a female. What the hell kind of man was Raghnall Garvie?
Doiron rustled again, then said, “You may turn around. Icannot help her.”
Thane didn’t have a healer, so he was more than confused. “Why not?”
Lennox said, “Truly, Doiron. You must be able to help her in some way.”
“I cannot. She’s been beaten worse than any man I’ve ever seen. I fix broken bones and stitch up wounds. I deliver bairns. I cannot help someone with no wound and no broken bone. You’ll just have to leave her be and see if she comes out of it.”
“There’s naught we can do?” Thane scanned the hut, vials and tinctures everywhere. Surely there was something here that could help Tamsin heal.
Doiron shrugged. “Mayhap one other possibility.”
“What? I’ll do what I can,” Thane said, unsure why he wished to see this through. Perhaps he should leave her here and return to his clan.
“I’m not sure, but there may be a different healer who could help this type of sickness.”
He couldn’t just leave her here, an odd force driving him to help her. “Tell me, please.”
“I hear the new ones at Duart Castle are from Clan Ramsay. Lady Brenna Ramsay is the finest healer in all the mainland. I think one of the lasses is her granddaughter. It might be worth a try to see if she can help in any way.”
“Have any of you visited yet?”
Lennox explained, “Nay, but my men have observed them. Only five are there and they do not appear hostile.”
Thane thought for a moment. Surely, they would not attack a man searching for help. He had to do what he could. “All right. I’ll take her there. Many thanks for your assistance.”
“I’m sorry I could not help,” Doiron said. “But I’d sure like to meet the nasty brute who did that to her.”
Lennox, Sloan, and Thane all turned to look at her,surprised she was so vocal about it. “Why?” Lennox asked.
“Because I’d take him to the Ramsay archers. I’m hoping one of the two Ramsay women at Duart Castle is an archer.”
“Why?” Sloan asked, pursing his lips.
Doiron wore a smug smirk and crossed her arms. “If they are, surely you’ve heard of their reputation.”
All three shook their heads. Thane had no idea what she spoke of.
Doiron chuckled. “The last man who messed with a Ramsay archer lass got an arrow straight to his bollocks. And she’s not the first to do it. Her grandmother taught her. I heard he was fool enough to try to steal one of their young archers for a bride. It didn’t end well for him. The lass’s husband held him while she shot an arrow from afar.” She pointed to an area of Thane’s. “Got him right in his favorite parts. He did not survive. The others who came with him couldn’t run away fast enough.” Then she let out a hearty laugh. “How I wish I could have been a witness to that.”
Lennox swallowed hard, Sloan moved behind Lennox, and Thane said, “He must have deserved it. I hope she’s on Mull and she finds Garvie. It would be a pleasure to watch.”
Thane moved over and lifted Tamsin from the pallet, but she made no sound and didn’t move.
“Godspeed with ye, laddie, and with yer lassie.” Doiron gave him a small pat on his shoulder as he made his way through the door.
He called back over his shoulder to her, “She’s not my lass.”
Doiron chuckled and tipped her head. “Are you sure about that?”
Thane frowned but couldn’t think of an appropriate response. He’d never been more confused by anyone than he was by Tamsin Garvie. And since he viewed most women as useless, he couldn’t reconcile what drew him to her.
He couldn’t explain anything at the moment.
Chapter Ten
Eli and Alaric
