Page 26 of A Healer for the Ruthless Highlander
When have ye ever claimed that duty?
“Well, as a matter of fact, I have noticed that some plants and medicines are missin’ from the surgery, so I would very much like to go to the forest and gather some herbs.”
“Great, we’ll go as soon as we finish eatin’. I’ll guide ye personally,” Valerie assured, looking very proud of the task she had set herself.
“Take a guard with ye,” Kenneth ordered at once, proving that he was listening to the conversation even though he pretended not to.
Brenda’s smile curled at the edges, a knowing glint flickering in her eyes as she tilted her head, watching him. The weight of his words hung between them, but she caught something beneath them—a subtle shift in his tone, a hesitation too fleeting to name. Whatever it was, she had seen it, and her expression said she understood more than he might have intended.
Of course, it would have been easier if Leana hadn’t felt the need to contradict him all the time.
“Why? So nay one snatches me away like ye did?” she asked in a calm tone, but the message was clear.
Under the table, Kenneth clenched his left hand into a fist.
She has to contradict every word I say…
“The forest can be dangerous. There are wild animals,” he argued.
“I ken. And kidnappers too,” Leana drawled.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, Kenneth almost lost his temper. He was about to stand up, take her by the arm, and drag her to his study to punish her.
Hadn’t they agreed that she would not disobey him in front of his servants and family? But of course, the healer seemed unable to control the sharpness of her tongue, so he had no trouble reminding her of what other use he could have for it.
However, before he could utter a word, she added, “I will gather the herbs after I have tended to yer wounds, Laird MacReid. We need to change the bandages on yer shoulder.”
“Me shoulder is fine,” Kenneth grunted. “Go get yer herbs. Make sure ye bring enough to treat Hunter. One of me men will go with ye.”
“I would prefer to take care of those bandages first,” Leana insisted.
Kenneth could see her clenching her hands into fists, as if she, too, was trying to control her temper.
Well, at least I’m nae the only one frustrated by this exchange.
“Go to the forest first. Valerie and one of me men will accompany ye,” Kenneth repeated, his tone brooking nor argument.
The order did not please Leana, who frowned slightly. She opened her mouth to retort, but the arrival of the maid silenced her.
Under different circumstances, the arrival of a maid would not have bothered him. But the woman was Hunter’s nanny, and many years ago, she had also been Kenneth’s nanny.
Eliza, a kind woman of fifty years, came running, her chubby cheeks flushed. When Kenneth noticed her worried expression, he stood up quickly, his hands clenching the edge of the table.
“What is it?” he asked, noticing that Brenda was also standing up and that Leana was tense.
“It’s Master Hunter, me Laird…”
“Is he awake? So early?” Brenda asked, looking anxiously at the nanny.
Eliza nodded once. “Aye, me Laird, me Lady. And I fear he isnae well.”
“Och, me bairn!” Brenda gasped, scrambling back from the table.
Only Leana seemed to keep her composure amid the tense exchange.
“What is wrong with him?” she asked in a much calmer voice.
“I daenae ken. He willnae stop coughin’, and he’s very pale. Please, ye have to check him right away,” Eliza begged.
