Page 51 of A Healer for the Ruthless Highlander
But she couldn’t help wanting him or thinking about him. Reason and desire warred within her as she practically ran down the corridor.
And one way or another, Leana knew which would win the war.
She only dreaded the outcome.
CHAPTER 17
“Last winter,the crops suffered, and our grain reserves were depleted. How are we to ensure that our people have enough to survive and that discontent doesnae spread?” one of the councilmen sitting to Kenneth’s left asked.
Murmurs rippled through the room, and though he should have, Kenneth paid no attention to the conversation.
His gaze remained fixed on the window to his left, while all around him, at the great table in front of the fire, his advisors were still talking.
“We could trade with the neighborin’ fief, though that might mean openin’ routes in dangerous lands.”
“And risk our men in such uncertain times?” Lady Isobel scoffed in indignation, rising to her feet. “Perhaps we could impose a special tax on the peasants to bolster our reserves?”
“Lady Isobel, we cannae add more burdens to those who are already strugglin’ to make ends meet. We need a solution that will ensure their loyalty, nae their betrayal.”
The debate went on and on, and yet Kenneth was unable to tune in. Not when Leana had him completely under her spell.
He saw her on the other side of the window, wearing a dark rose dress that matched the shade of her lips. Next to her were Valerie and Hunter, running through the meadow, playing hide-and-seek.
She seemed unaware of her beauty. Her hair was loose and thick, floating in the breeze, and her cheeks were flushed with color. Her laughter rang out whenever Valerie or Hunter made a joke, blending perfectly with the scenery.
Kenneth had never seen his brother so happy—at least not since they’d returned to the mainland years ago. So the strange and unexpected scene was a pleasure to behold.
“Me Laird, what do ye think?” Lady Isobel asked, giving him a shrew look.
Suddenly, everyone in the room fell silent, waiting for his answer. Beside him, Jonas shifted a little uncomfortably in his seat.
But Kenneth soon took control of the situation.
“We will accept the exchange. We will send soldiers to patrol our roads. That way, we can protect the farmers and travelers. We should also make sure that the pact with the neighborin’ fief is fair. Instead of demandin’ a tribute, we will encourage the peasants to cultivate common land next spring.”
Jonas breathed a sigh of relief, while some of the advisors nodded in approval.
“A reasonable suggestion, Laird MacReid. We will order men to prepare to negotiate and protect our lands. We will take inventory and survey the roads to ensure the best routes when buildin’ new roads…”
The conversation soon moved on as Lady Isobel lifted her face to look out the window.
“Who is the lass playin’ with yer braither?” she asked curiously.
“She is nobody. Just another healer who has come to treat him,” Kenneth hastened to answer.
He bit his tongue, hating himself for speaking in such a dismissive tone, as if Leana were unimportant. But even though he knew that was not the case, he could not let the council members believe that she was more than just a healer. First and foremost, he had to dispel the idea that he was distracted or shirking his duties. Especially because of a woman.
So, he preferred to feign indifference, even though the memory of Leana’s lips still haunted him.
“Her face looks familiar,” one of Lady Isobel’s guards murmured. “The healer, what’s her name?”
“Leana Beaton,” Jonas replied before Kenneth could.
The guard nodded. “Aye, I remember her. She helped discover the cause of a disease that ravaged our lands.”
“Her help was crucial in savin’ our farmers from a disease that would have ended the harvest season,” Lady Isobel added.
Kenneth smiled inwardly. But then he heard another of his advisors say, “Well, I heard a different kind of rumor about the lass.”
