Page 7 of Taken By the Heartless Highlander
“Neither would I,” she said firmly. “I have done nothin’ wrong.”
“Then ye arenae a witch?”
“I may ken some potions that would kill a man, but what healer doesnae?”
“Och, the truth is finally revealed then.”
“Why do ye think men fear women healers? They ken we have the means to kill them in their sleep.”
“I shall watch who I let in me bed then,” he said darkly. Keira met his eyes, the heat of his gaze sparking a wave of arousal.
She looked away, feeling her cheeks heat at the unexpected feelings he provoked in her. She distracted herself by looking at her surroundings, acknowledging the warmth and safety of this stranger’s home—she might have been set alight by now if not for him.
“Thank ye for helpin’ me, Me laird,” she said earnestly.
“Ye are welcome, although I am nae happy about it. Heaven kens what pain shall come down on me shoulders for assisting the Bean Nighe on me lands.”
She scoffed. “What fairy stories have ye been told about the Bean Nighe?” she asked, “she is kenned for livin’ beside streams and lakes and washin’ the clothes of those who are soon to die. Ye met me in the woods, and I dinnae have anythin’ but the clothes on me back.” “Yer hands are stained,” he said.
“With the residue ofherbs. Unless people in this clan have green blood, I think ye’ll survive Me laird.”
There was a pause for a little time as he watched her, his eyes meeting hers with a warmth that surprised her.
“Tell me yer name, woman.”
She rolled her eyes and then winced as the movement made her head throb. “Keira Young,” she told him, crossing her arms over her chest, “the witch of the woods.”
“There. That wasnae so hard, was it?” he stated. “Ye cannae stay in me castle if I dinnae ken who ye are. But ye’ll have to leave in the mornin’; I canne have ye here for longer than that.”
He turned on his heel and made to leave the room.
“Wait!” she shouted after him, and he stopped, turning to her, looking puzzled. “Do ye nae wish to ken the whole story?”
“Dinnae care,” he replied. “Ye are leavin’ in the mornin’ and I hope to never lay eyes on ye again.”
CHAPTER4
It was a half-truth.
In reality, Noah was desperate to know more about the raven-haired woman. But learning the details of what had brought her into his woods made him nervous. There was always the chance she had truly done something wrong. He didn’t like the idea that his view of her would be tarnished.
With her black hair cascading over her shoulders and her tanned skin contrasting with her wide blue eyes, it had taken everything in him not to join her on the bed.
She is the comeliest woman I have ever seen and no mistake. That is why I must get out of this room as soon as possible,he thought, as he made for the door.
“Wait!”
He turned again, frowning at her as she leaned forward in the bed, her eyes full of uncertainty.
“I think ye should ken why ye’ve brought trouble to yer clan.”
He sighed, turning to face her.
“Very well,” he replied, leaning against the door. The shoulder of her dress had come down as she slept, and he could see the golden curve of her skin. “Tell me yer woes, witch, I shall see if I need to throw ye in the fire.”
Keira sighed. Her hands went into her hair, pulling the long black strands over her shoulder and twisting them as she spoke. There were cuts and bruises all over her forearms, and the maids that attended her had told Noah that her whole body had been covered with them.
“I have been a healer for the village for almost three years,” she began. “I was trained by a woman who had lived there before, but she was due to marry and wished to teach me everythin’ she kenned.”
