Page 13 of Highlander of Steel
“I’m Paisley,” the woman said, raising a limp hand. “The healer. The Laird asked me to take a look at ye, but I didnae want to wake ye. In hindsight, I should’ve announced meself sooner, but I suppose I dozed off too.”
Ailis stared at her in abject horror. “Does nay one knock in this castle?” she croaked. “Is there a list for people to take turns watching me sleep?”
“I really am sorry, me Lady,” Paisley said, though her tone lacked the depth of a true apology. “If I can just check that ye’rein good health, I’ll be out of yer hair in nay time. Then, ye can eat yer breakfast in peace.”
She gestured to the table by the windows, morning sunlight casting a soft glow over a veritable feast: a silver tray laden with fresh fruits, cheeses, meats, breads, currant-studded fritters, and even a slice of dark, rich fruitcake.
Ailis’s annoyance at being disturbed again evaporated at the sight of that hearty breakfast. “All of… all of that is for me? Or is it for us to share?”
The healer raised an eyebrow in surprise. “I broke me fast hours ago, me Lady. That’s all for ye.”
Her tone remained difficult to decipher, polite but with a slight bite to it. She looked tired, dark crescents painting shadows under her eyes. Perhaps thatwas why she was being so aloof.
“Are ye all right?” Ailis asked, a little hesitant.
The healer gave a humorless laugh and rested her hands on her hips. “Nay, me Lady. Nae really.”
This time, she did not bother to hide the bitterness in her voice, her hostility bleeding into her expression. She looked at Ailis as one might look at a pile of muck.
And in her flimsy nightdress, Ailis felt rather afraid for a moment.
“I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “Did I… say somethin’ wrong?”
Was she supposed to invite the healer to share the feast with her? Was it because the healer had been awake for hours while Ailis had been fast asleep?
Paisley’s brown eyes flashed with anger. “Are ye that much of a dolt that ye cannae figure it out?” she scoffed. “It’s nae somethin’ ye said, me Lady, but somethin’ ye did. Or rather, somethin’ yer family did. So, aye, I’m none too happy about havin’ to serve an Ainsley. Ye’ll have to forgive me if I’m nae me usual, cheery self—I daenae have so much to be merry about, at present.”
Ailis could have smacked herself. The peaceful night’s rest had clearly addled her brain.
Of course, the healer wasn’t feeling so friendly when, just a week ago, her father had started a battle that had ended with the death of theirLaird. Who wouldbe friendly toward her in such circumstances?
“I’m sorry,” was all she could offer.
“Aye, I bet ye are, now that ye’re inourcastle,” Paisley muttered. “As far as I’m concerned, ye should be gettin’ the slops we feed the pigs for breakfast—afterthe pigs have had their fill, at that. And ye’d still be eatin’ better than what they’re feedin’ the… man I care for atyercastle. If he’s still breathin’, that is.”
As far as Ailis knew, there was only one man in the dungeons of Castle Ainsley. Her father wasn’t interested in taking prisoners, preferring to kill as many MacNairn men as possible. He didn’t much care about interrogations and learning about the enemy.
But Fraser was different. His capture was a purposeful tactic, designed to torment Clan MacNairn without having to raise a sword. And if he gave up a few secrets in the meantime, that was just a bonus.
“Ye ken Fraser?” Ailis asked.
Paisley seemed to freeze, her tired eyes widening. “Yeken Fraser?” She shook her head. “Of course, ye daenae. Ye probably just heard yer men gloatin’ about capturin’ him.”
“I certainly didnae,” Ailis protested, climbing out of bed in indignation. “I ken him, and I ken ye. Ye’rehisPaisley. Ye have to be, unless this is an odd coincidence.”
The healer was all Fraser had been able to talk about while he ate the food Ailis had sneaked to him. Ailis’s heart had ached to hear him speak of his beloved, lamenting the fact that he might never see her again.
“I snuck food to him when nay one was watchin’,” she explained. “I stayed with him until he’d finished what I brought, so I could take the bowl back to the kitchens and nay one would realize what I’d done. We talked while he ate. Rather, I listened while he talked about ye. He even asked if I could send ye a letter. If I’dkent that yer Laird would kidnap me and bring me here, I’d have given Fraser paper and a quill without hesitation.”
Across the room, Paisley braced her hand against the armrest of the chair, a little unsteady on her feet. “Was he alive when ye left?”
“Aye,” Ailis replied. “I saw him a few hours before yer Laird kidnapped me. He could probably use yer talents for his bruises, but he’s otherwise unharmed. And… I think his heart is a little sore, missin’ ye. It didnae take me long to realize how much he loves ye.”
Paisley sagged against the chair, her eyes closing. “He’s alive…”
“I did me best to keep him that way,” Ailis said. “Me braither locked me up the first time I was caught feedin’ him, but there are ways in and out of me chambers that he doesnae ken about. I refused to let him starve.”
Lifting her sorrowful gaze, Paisley gave a small smile. “Thank ye.” Her breath caught. “Ye daenae ken how much it means to me, to hear that he’s alive and… that someone had been takin’ care of him.”
