Page 16 of A Healer for the Ruthless Highlander
Brenda had left shortly after Kenneth under the pretext of overseeing the dinner preparations.
The two young women marched up the stairs and stepped into a wide hallway.
“I daenae,” Leana said, glancing sideways at Valerie.
The blonde-haired girl was holding a lantern, and the dim yellow light danced across her face with every step she took.
“That’s good.” Valerie smiled. “Because they tell all sorts of horrible stories about me cousin. But he’s nae that bad. He hasnae murdered half the people they say he has.”
“Glad to hear it,” Leana muttered, almost wincing.
That little speech didn’t make the Laird seem any less scary.
Nevertheless, Valerie continued obliviously, “And he didnae kill that healer last week. Well, he got very upset, though…”
“What? He killed a healer?” Leana asked, stopping mid-stride and looking at her in dismay.
But Valerie didn’t seem to notice. “No, he didnae kill him—ye didnae hear me? But he kicked him out of the castle. The man was clumsy.”
“I see…” Leana frowned.
She was sure that Valerie was just trying to defend her cousin’s good name, but the girl was making it worse.
“Aunt Brenda says that Kenneth can have a temper, but that’s only because he cares so much about us, ye ken.” Valerie looked at her and gave her a smile.
“That goes without sayin’,” Leana agreed with a grimace, thinking of Kenneth and her abduction.
Perhaps his way of doing things wasn’t the best, but she could tell that he took the welfare of his family very seriously.
“That’s why ye can rest assured that me cousin will treat ye with respect and that nay one in the castle will harm ye.”
“I appreciate that,” Leana said, mustering a small smile.
Valerie seemed to have good intentions, indeed.
So, after a moment, seeing her opportunity, Leana added, “I would like to send a letter to me family if it’s possible.”
“Oh, well… I suppose that can be done… I think,” Valerie murmured, looking a little hesitant.
But Leana was undeterred. “I was supposed to come home today, but I didnae. They must be very worried about me.”
“They probably are,” Valerie sighed. “All right, I daenae see any problem with that. But I’ll ask me cousin anyway. I’m sure he willnae object.”
“Thank ye,” Leana said sincerely, truly grateful for the young woman’s help.
But while Valerie’s intentions were good, they had left a bad taste in Leana’s mouth.
It bothered her to think that Kenneth might change his mind about her. So far, he had protected her, even though he had barely explained his situation to her, all because he needed herto care for someone ill. But what if she couldn’t do it? What if she failed and was thrown out of the castle as well?
The idea of regaining her freedom appealed to her, but not if it meant hurting someone or not being able to heal someone, for she took her profession very seriously, especially the welfare of her patients. Besides, she didn’t want to disappoint Kenneth.
“Anyway, ye daenae have to worry about anything. I’ll make sure ye’re well settled,” Valerie promised as she finally stopped before a door at the end of the corridor.
“I appreciate that. I really do,” Leana replied with a smile.
Valerie nodded. “These are yer quarters. Ye can take off those dirty clothes, as I will send one of the maids with hot water for a bath and a change of clothes. And then some supper, so ye can fill yer belly. Ye must be exhausted.”
“I am,” Leana admitted, holding back a yawn.
