Page 14 of Highlander's Captive Bride
Bellamy shook his head vigorously. “The truth. Ye really think so, d’ye? In fact, without me commanding them, I reckon those ignoramuses would do just the opposite,” he replied tersely, raking his fingers through his hair in apparent exasperation.
“Aye, ye made yer thoughts clear on that when ye beat Arbroath to the ground for speaking out of turn,” Jamie agreed. But then, he added, “But is it nae worth a try?”
Bellamy spun away from him, his mind filled with the terrible possibilities of revealing what only he and Jamie knew for sure. He could not trust his councilmen to act as he wished, and that would mean more trouble.
“Nay,” he answered decisively. “’Tis best we keep it to ourselves. Dinnae ask me about it again.”
Jamie sighed in defeat. “Very well, if that’s what ye wish,” he relented and was about to say more when a light tapping sounded at the study door.
“It’s Nadia,” Bellamy said. “I told her to come.” He strode to the door and opened it. “Come in.”
He beckoned the visitor inside, and a tall, slender girl of around seventeen entered. She was beautiful, with long blond hair and large blue eyes set in a heart-shaped face.
“Welcome home, M’laird. ’Tis good to see ye safely back,” she said in a soft voice, curtseying and smiling at them both. “And a good evening to ye, Jamie.”
Jamie nodded at her, returning her smile.
Bellamy sat down behind his desk. “Thank ye, Nadia. I trust ye’re well,” he replied, regarding the girl he had raised as a Murdoch in his home for the last eight years since annihilating her clan.
“Very well, thank ye, M’laird. But I’m excited to learn about this new healer ye’ve brought to the castle for Elodie. Is she really as clever as they say?”
Nadia’s lovely face was alight with frank curiosity as she gazed at him. Bellamy thought her interest was to be expected. She and his daughter were close, and she would naturally wish to know what was happening.
“That’s yet to be proved,” he told her, an image of Daisy popping up in his mind. “But I have high hopes. She’s up there now with Elodie, examining her.”
“Oh, so soon?” Nadia asked, clasping her hands before her, her fingers twitching nervously. No doubt, he thought, she’s anxious for Elodie’s recovery, too.
“Nae time to waste, lass,” he told her curtly. “Anyway, ye’ll meet her shortly. Her name is Daisy, by the way,” he added, standing up. “Jamie, I want ye to take Nadia up to Elodie’s chambers and introduce her to the healer. Nadia, I want ye to meet up with Daisy in the morning and show her around the healing rooms and the apothecary, and show her all the medical supplies she can use. Show her anything that could help her in trying to heal Elodie. And make a list of anything she needs. Is that understood?”
Nadia nodded immediately, still toying with her fingers. “Of course, M’laird.”
As the pair left the study, Bellamy whispered to Jamie so Nadia would not hear, “When ye’ve done that, bring the healer here, and keep a close eye on her. She’ll likely try to escape.”
Jamie nodded silently before following Nadia down the hallway.
* * *
Daisy had heard the footsteps approaching and turned her head as the door opened. But she did not get up as the man she had been introduced to earlier by the Laird as Jamie Blair slipped inside, followed by a beautiful young girl with golden hair and blue eyes. Daisy guessed she was in her late teens.
“How is she?” Jamie asked in a whisper, creeping to the bedside and looking down at Elodie.
“Ach, the poor thing looks so pale,” put in the young girl, now standing beside him, her fingers fidgeting.
“As ye can see, she’s sleeping. I gave her a draught that seemed to have helped a little. I’ll ken more in the morning. If she sleeps through the night, that is,” Daisy responded, her voice hushed.
“That’s good. I can see ye’re working yer magic already, Daisy,” Jamie told her with a smile.
She bristled. “’Tis nae magic,” she said coldly.
“Right,” he uttered, glancing at her hesitantly before turning to the girl at his side. “This is Nadia, the Laird’s ward.”
He has a ward as well!? And a pretty one, too.
“How d’ye do, Daisy,” Nadia said, coming forward and extending her hand.
Daisy shook it distrustfully, injecting some ice into her voice as she replied, “Good evening, Nadia.” She looked at them both in turn. “What brings ye here?” she asked.
The Laird has sent them to spy on me, no doubt.
