Page 65 of A Healer for the Ruthless Highlander
“I daenae ken.” Leana shrugged. “At first, I thought it was just me imagination, but they have been… elusive, distant. They stare at me when they think I daenae notice, and they whisper behind me back.”
“Whisper?” Valerie smiled, her eyes filled with mischief. “They’re probably just tryin’ to guess what’s goin’ on between ye and Kenneth…”
“Och, daenae start again.” Leana rolled her eyes.
Valerie burst out laughing. “And ye, daenae try to deny it! We all ken that ye have something up yer sleeve. The question is, when are ye goin’ to accept it and stop playin’ this cat-and-mouse game?”
If looks could kill, Valerie would probably have died a thousand times over as Leana shot her a glare, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Leana had really tried to be careful, but now she understood that all her efforts had been in vain.
Everyone suspected that something was going on between her and Kenneth. Of course, the insistent looks they gave each other when Kenneth was present had reaffirmed those suspicions, as well as the way she sighed at his long absence seemed to make it obvious.
But she had hoped that no one was paying enough attention to notice.
Now, all she had to do was accept the consequences of her actions. It was, of course, much more bitter to do so in the Laird’s long absence. It would have been better to face the assumptions and gossip when she actually had something to hide.
But perhaps she had little time left for regrets. She must have guessed that he had returned as soon as Valerie had handed her those flowers that only grew on the coast. She must have known it from the young girl’s smile and the way she teased her.
She must have sensed it, but she didn’t know it until Kenneth walked into the room at a steady pace, looking at her first. That simple gesture caused her heart to stop, only to start beating again a second later.
“Cousin, I’ve missed ye,” Valerie intoned, throwing her arms around Kenneth.
He hugged her back, though his smile was a bit bitter. “I was only gone for two days,” he reminded her.
“I ken, but still, the castle felt so empty without ye…” Valerie let out an exaggerated sigh as she looked at Leana. “daenae ye think so, Leana?”
“I… Sure,” Leana murmured, pretending to look at the flowers instead of the Laird. “It felt so good, really. The castle was very peaceful in yer absence…”
Of course, that reaction was not what Valerie had expected. With a pout and a frown, she looked at the healer as if she was offended by her words.
Kenneth could not help but smile. He opened his mouth, probably to return the jab. But before he could utter a word, Hunter came running into the surgery, followed closely by his mother.
“Leana, Leana!” he cried, throwing his arms around the healer’s legs. “Has me braither told ye the news yet?”
“Nay, what happened?” Leana asked, noticing the child’s radiant joy.
“Well, me da will be able to visit us more often, at the castle!” Hunter squealed.
“Really? That’s wonderful,” she gushed, happy to see his rosy cheeks.
It was very pleasant to see him like this—smiling so openly, his breath coming in ragged gasps instead of his constant coughing fits.
Hunter had looked much better since he had started visiting the beach every day.
Nodding emphatically, he continued, “Aye! Kenneth told me the news today, and I even have his permission to go sailin’ now and then!”
“That’s all for yer own good,” Brenda said, looking at him lovingly. “But until ye’re older, ye willnae be goin’ on long trips. And when ye do set sail, I’ll go with ye.”
“Of course.” Hunter seemed delighted by the idea. “I’ll teach ye the sailors’ knots, and also how to curse like a pirate!”
“Nay, nae that!” Brenda chided, although the boy continued to laugh.
Kenneth watched his brother seriously, though there was an amused glint in his eye. “But ye must remember—from now on, nay more lies.”
“Aye, aye,” Hunter replied, nodding emphatically. “I willnae tell another one, I promise!”
“Good.” Kenneth nodded. His lips twitching into the hint of a satisfied smile. A warmth flickered in his gaze, subtle yet unmistakable, as if relief had settled into his bones. His stance eased, shoulders no longer tense, and when he spoke again, his voice carried the quiet confidence of a man at peace. “I guess ye can consider yerself satisfied then.”
