Page 39 of A Healer for the Ruthless Highlander
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself and focus on the procedure. She carefully removed the bandage, relieved to see that the wound was healing properly. It looked good, sojust cleaning it and changing the bandage to avoid an infection would be sufficient.
But even though she tried to be careful, Leana could soon tell that she was hurting Kenneth. His hands were clenched into fists, to the point where his knuckles had turned white.
“I’m sorry if I’m hurtin’ ye…” she whispered.
“Daenae worry. Ye’re nae hurtin’ me, lass,” he assured her.
Their eyes met, and Leana forgot his wound for a moment. She found herself getting lost in the powerful allure of his gaze, and she hated herself for it. She hated that he had so much power over her emotions and desires.
If Kenneth noticed anything, he didn’t say a word. So, she just nodded and continued cleaning his wound.
But then he surprised her by asking, “Yer sister… Is she really as good a shot as ye say she is?”
“Aye,” Leana replied in a neutral tone. “Ye willnae find a better archer than Joanna.”
Why this sudden interest in her sisters?
“Ye’re nae thinkin’ of kidnappin’ her, too, are ye?” she asked, feeling a little uneasy.
Joanna was not only an extremely talented young woman but also incredibly beautiful. Ever since she was a little girl, everyone had praised her for her beauty, to the point that Leana and Irene were very protective of her, as men always looked at her with desire.
What if that was also the case with Kenneth? So far, he had seemed immune to female charms, even though Leana had noticed that many of the young maids at the castle were beautiful. But Joanna might be different. He might want to kidnap her because she was a good archer and end up falling for her.
Her heart started pounding in her chest all of a sudden.
Kenneth seemed to read the fear, the warning in her eyes, for he reached up and gently took her hand as if to calm her.
“I am nae after yer sisters, lass. I was only interested in yer services as a healer. And I am more than satisfied with yer performance.”
Leana heaved a sigh of relief, and her heart rate slowed. “I hope so,” she said, her voice hoarse with emotion. “Because I willnae tolerate ye or anyone else layin’ a finger on them.”
“Aye.” Kenneth nodded, not quite letting go of her hand. “Ye have me word, lass. I daenae want to hurt them… or ye. Besides, I understand what it’s like to be protective of yer siblings.”
“I ken,” Leana sighed again.
A brief silence fell between them. A silence that Kenneth quickly broke.
“I’m sorry, lass, for the way I’ve treated ye so far.”
“Ye’re sorry, are ye?” She raised an eyebrow. “I thought ye didnae ken the meaning of that word.”
Her dig was meant to annoy him, but he just gave her a small smile.
“I ken it, though I daenae use it much. But I owe ye an apology.”
“Well, I…” She was suddenly discomfited. The truth was, she hadn’t expected an apology from him. “I guess, in a way, I understand ye. I’m nae justifyin’ yer behavior,” she hastened to add. “But I understand what it’s like to feel concern for a sibling.”
“Aye. When it comes to Hunter, I’d do anything for him. I daenae measure meself when his life or health is at risk.”
“I understand,” Leana said, her voice softer, “because I’d do anything for me sisters, too.”
It was strange to have that kind of complicity with him. Strange to come to an understanding.
An unexpected situation, but a satisfying one.
Her hand still clasped in his, Leana watched him, trying to analyze the situation—to decipher his words and the change in his behavior.
But maybe it wasn’t worth it. Not if she could let go of some of her anger and forgive him.
