Page 20 of A Healer for the Ruthless Highlander
Not one to waste time, she began to search the drawers and bookshelves for the supplies she needed to treat Kenneth’s wound.
She packed everything into a wooden box, making a mental list as she went, and then ordered the maid to take it to Kenneth’s chambers.
“T-the Laird must be in his study,” the maid stammered nervously.
“In his study then, or wherever he is, but take me to him. I must see him at once.”
“Aye, Ma’am,” the maid replied, before turning on her heels and leading the way.
Leana mentally rehearsed the steps necessary to remove the arrow from Kenneth’s shoulder and treat the wound, hoping all the while that he would not complain too much.
But as soon as they reached his study, all her thoughts flew out the window.
“Close the door and come here,” Kenneth ordered, as soon as the maid left.
Taking a deep breath, Leana stepped further into the study. His back was turned to her, his gaze fixed on the fire.
When their eyes met, she realized that he was upset. But she didn’t care. She steeled herself, as she had so many times before, and watched as he took a step toward her.
“This will be the last time ye disobey me. Especially in front of me servants,” he warned.
“Nay,” Leana replied, lifting her chin proudly.
It was about time she made the rules clear.
Of course, her refusal only caused the silver in Kenneth’s eye to darken to the color of storm clouds.
“Are ye challengin’ me, lass?”
“It isyewho daenae ken who I am,” she countered, taking a step toward him. “But from now on, ye will treat me with respect and let me do me job as I see fit.”
“Ye cannae order me around,” Kenneth declared, his voice as hard as iron.
“When it comes to medical matters, I can, and I will. I am nae yer faithful dog,Laird MacReid.” The formality stoked his temper. “Nor am I yer servant. I am the healer ye forced to come here to serve ye. And if ye want me to do me job well, ye will let me do it without the constant pressure of yer demands!”
The words tumbled past her lips with far more seriousness and emotion than she had intended.
For a moment, she thought that he would throw her out of the castle for her insolence, but she didn’t care. Or so she forced herself to believe.
For beyond any feelings she might have for this stubborn, headstrong man, she had a job to do, and she would do it on her own terms.
“Woman, ye are tryin’ me patience,” Kenneth gritted out.
“And what are ye goin’ to do about it? Oust me like the previous healer?” she scoffed.
She had intended to challenge him, but his lips curled into a small, almost imperceptible smile.
He sighed as he raised his hand and annoyingly massaged his forehead. “Probably nae. Ye’re better to me alive than dead,” he muttered. “But ye and I will have to come to an agreement, lass. Ye cannae defy or disobey me in front of me servants. I have a reputation to uphold.”
“Good. Then keep it. But do it away from me.”
Leana quickly closed the distance between them, knocking into his good shoulder. The impact forced Kenneth to sit down, and he found himself staring up at her alluring figure.
The look on his face caused heat to well up inside her and coil in her belly—she felt exposed. But she kept her composure, eventhough it was difficult. Especially when Kenneth grabbed her wrist and pulled her a little closer to him.
“Will ye stop challengin’ me if I let ye do yer job?” he asked in a thick, rumbling voice.
“Probably nae,” Leana admitted. “But I’ll make sure I only do it when nobody’s watchin’.”
