Page 21 of The Cruel Highlander's Healer
She recalled him from the day before, when he’d come with Laird MacKinnon and kidnapped her. She’d gotten the sense then that he was the kinder of the two, and as she looked at him in that moment, she got the impression of it again.
I much prefer the brutishness of the Laird.
“The tonic will be done soon,” Eliza explained as they walked toward the Laird’s study. “We’ll administer it to the bairns for a few days, but they should start to get better soon. I want to let him ken Kate now kens how to make it, as well.”
They turned the corner to the corridor that led to the Laird’s office. Voices floated down the stone corridor, and Eliza cast a questioning glance in Eliot’s direction.
The man-at-arms shrugged, letting her know he was unaware of who the Laird was entertaining.
“Maybe we should…” Eliot began, pointing over his shoulder and indicating the way they’d just come.
But Eliza pressed her finger to her lips, shushing him as she crept forward. She glanced down at her feet, trying to ensure she didn’t step on any creaky boards as she got closer.
“…garlic,” an unfamiliar man’s voice floated out into the hallway. “And a mottlin’ of the hands. It’s the same as the bairns.”
“How many so far?” This voice was one Eliza recognized. The Laird.
“Three,” the other voice answered. “So nae many. But it’s enough that we’re worried. I daenae ken what to do, but we need help. If only the healer that ye’ve found…”
“Nay,” Laird MacKinnon’s voice immediately cut the man off. “I am nae riskin’ me healer. She’s too important. I cannae risk her nae bein’ here if the bairns need her. Or, if someone found out about her and tried to hurt her. Nae until they’re healed.”
“But it’s affectin’ more than just the bairns now!” The other man’s voice had grown louder, a little more panicked. “The sickness is clearly spreadin’, and we daenae ken how to stop it.”
“It’s nae me problem,” Conall said, his voice tense. “I told ye, I cannae…”
Eliza couldn’t stand it anymore. She placed her hand on the door and pushed it open. She heard Eliot yell a protest, but she didn’t stop to look at him.
“Me laird,” Eliot stammered from behind her. “I’m sorry. She just….”
“Shehas somethin’ to say,” Eliza insisted turning to the man who was seated across from the Laird.
The man’s pudgy face was bright red with indignation, mouth agape with the surprise of having been interrupted.
“I ken how to help ye,” Eliza began, but she didn’t get to explain any further.
The man regained his composure, immediately pushing himself to standing. The chair he’d been sitting on went skittering across the floor behind him. It caught on the edge of the rug, toppling over with a clatter.
“Who do ye think ye are?” the man bellowed, face turning red with anger as he glared down at her. “Bringin’ yerself in here, into a conversation with men that has nothin’ to do with ye.”
Anger flared deep in Eliza’s belly, and she glared up at the man, refusing to back down as he towered over her.
“Careful how ye speak to me,” she hissed, “because I’m the person whose help ye need.”
CHAPTERTEN
Conall stared, impressed as Eliza glared up at the councilman. He’d come here to ask for Conall’s help and instead found himself going head-to-head with a lass that had balls the size of any man’s.
“What do ye mean, lass?” Councilman Aulds asked as he stared down at her.
Eliza didn’t flinch under the weight of the councilman’s gaze. “The healer ye were askin’ about? That’s me. And I ken how to help the bairns.”
“What do ye mean?” Conall asked, and it was his turn to rise out of his chair.
“I told ye before,” Eliza began, turning her attention in Conall’s direction. “The herbs will work. We got the first batches of tonic almost done, and it’ll be ready to administer soon.”
Conall studied her for a split second before turning his attention back to Councilman Aulds.
“Eliot,” Conall barked, “escort Councilman Aulds out, please. We will let him ken if we can assist him soon.”
