Page 32 of A Healer for the Ruthless Highlander
Unfortunately for him, Leana’s annoyance from that morning had not ebbed.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Ye never tire of tellin’ me what I’m here for, but let me remind ye. I’m the healer, and ye need to let me do me job,” she retorted.
“And I will let ye do it when ye stop pryin’ into the lives of the inhabitants of this castle.”
His voice was cold as ice, but she didn’t care. On the contrary, her blue eyes flashed with anger.
He treats me like I’m an old tattletale!
“Laird MacReid, I only ask these questions to determine the cause of yer braither’s illness, nae out of mere curiosity.”
“Then askme,” he insisted, stepping closer to her.
He was at least two heads taller than her, and she had to tilt her head up slightly to meet his eyes. But even that didn’t intimidate her. On the contrary, her shoulders seemed to rise proudly.
“I would, but ye speak so little that I fear ye will use up all the words ye have saved for the rest of yer life if I question ye.”
“That’s because ye ask too many questions.”
“Normal people do that. It’s called ‘conversation.’”
Her answer didn’t sit well with him, that much was obvious.
Kenneth clicked his tongue and turned his attention to his cousin, who was standing a few steps away from Leana. “Valerie, why daenae ye go up to Brenda’s room and bring her some tea? It’ll do her good.”
In other words, he just told his cousin to get out of the gardens.
Anyone else would have probably been intimidated by his character, but not Leana Beaton. She looked at him, crossed her arms over her chest, and sighed, just as Valerie did.
The blonde-haired girl did not seem to fear the Laird either.
“I will, but if ye bother Leana, ye’ll be in trouble. She’s me new friend, so treat her with respect, alright?” she pressed.
Kenneth’s eyes narrowed to thin slits in response.
At least I’m nae the only one standin’ up to him.
Valerie retreated soon after, leaving them alone.
Leana’s anger flared anew. A part of her, as much as she hated to admit it, could not forget that kiss. But that day, with all her demands, she felt she was overstepping her bounds.
“Ye and I have to draw the line,” she said.
Kenneth crossed his arms. “Aye. Ye’re goin’ to have to learn to behave.”
“I’m nae the one with the problem,” she huffed, before letting out a sarcastic laugh. “If it werenae for ye, Sir, everything would be done as I say.” She pointed a finger at his chest. “But ye’re goin’ to have to learn to respect me methods, Kenneth. Or find another healer and let me go home.”
“Nay. Ye will help me braither. Ye willnae leave before the appointed time.”
“Then let me be the one to decide on the best treatment for Hunter,” Leana said, turning to load the basket with some herbs she intended to use for future possible remedies. “And while we’re at it, let me write a letter to me faither and sisters—to explain me absence. And send one of yer maids to the village. I need plants and herbs that I cannae find in yer garden.”
“Ye are very demanding today,” Kenneth remarked, raising a haughty eyebrow at her.
But Leana was no slouch.
“And ye’re very bossy,” she shot back, glaring at him, her cheeks red with anger. “But for Hunter’s sake, we have to cooperate. Otherwise, he’ll never get better.”
Those words seemed to calm Kenneth, for he let his guard down for a moment. The anger in his gaze faded, and the tension left his arms and shoulders.
