Page 46 of A Healer for the Ruthless Highlander
As she placed everything on a tray to take to Hunter’s room, Valerie spoke again.
“Anyway, I’m sure that even if he didnae like ye as much as I ken he does, he would be happy to have ye stay with us for a long time. For it is evident that Hunter is recoverin’.”
“The Laird has nay feelings for me, and his wishes are of nay concern to me,” Leana asserted. “I will leave as soon as Hunter fully recovers. It is me duty to care for anyone who needs me.”
“We need ye,” Valerie said, squeezing her hand affectionately as she gave her a lovely smile. “People get sick all the time, and it would be nice to have a healer nearby.”
“I’m sure when Hunter gets better and I’m gone, ye’ll be able to find someone suitable to serve in me stead.”
“Or… Or ye could stay and do it yerself,” Valerie suggested, giggling.
Leana rolled her eyes. “I cannae stay. Me family needs me…”
“Aye, aye. That’s too bad. But I’m sure ye could be very happy here, with us.”
Valerie dropped the subject soon after, for which Leana was grateful, and instead focused on Hunter’s health.
It was clear that the boy was feeling much better. Color had returned to his face, and his breathing had improved, as far as Leana could tell. He was in his room, with his mother and his nanny.
As soon as Leana and Valerie stepped into his room, Brenda beamed.
“Valerie!” Hunter exclaimed, running to his cousin. He hugged her tightly before greeting Leana effusively. “Have ye come to play pirates with me, Val?” he asked excitedly.
“Of course,” Valerie replied, ruffling his hair.
“Absolutely. But first, we have to give ye yer medicine.”
“Is it the one that tastes like onions and turnips?” Hunter frowned slightly.
Leana burst out laughing. “Nay. For now, ye’re just goin’ to have some honey and milk and inhale the vapors of some plants.”
“And that’s medicine?” Hunter asked.
Leana nodded. “It is. But to prove it, ye’ll have to trust me.”
She led him to a chair, and on the table in front of it, she placed a bowl filled with an infusion that made her eyes water. It smelled of mint and other things.
Hunter looked at it strangely. But since Leana’s treatments made him feel better, he meekly obeyed her instructions, with the attentive and curious glances of Valerie and Brenda in between, who also found her methods fascinating.
In the end, Hunter seemed to feel much better than earlier.
“That was bizarre, but it works.” He laughed.
Leana sighed in relief. “That’s good to ken,” she replied, stroking his hair.
“Aye, it is,” a much deeper and more confident voice said from the door. Kenneth’s voice.
Instantly, Leana’s heart rate quickened. When she saw him, she grew worried. The blush his mere presence elicited bloomed on her cheeks. But she knew how to control herself.
“If we keep this up, ye’ll soon be whole again,” she promised as a hopeful Brenda pulled her in a tight hug.
“Thank ye! Thank ye so much for everything ye’ve done for me son.”
“I’m just doin’ me job,” Leana assured, touched by her gratitude.
It was clear that Kenneth was moved as well, but she chose not to focus on him. Instead, she gathered her materials and prepared to leave before another embarrassing situation arose between them.
“Well, if anyone needs me, I’ll be in me chamber.”
