She was quiet for a long moment, surprised by her own desire to answer honestly. "Healin’. I wanted tae learn healin’ properly. Nae just the basic herb lore me maither taught me, but real knowledge. How tae set bones, treat fevers, ease pain."
"Why?"
"Because..." She struggled to find words. "Because there's so much sufferin’ in the world, so much pain that could be prevented or eased if people just kenned how. Me maither died because nay one kenned how tae treat her fever properly."
"That is sad tae hear."
"Aye." She wrapped her arms around herself. "And that is why I vowed I'd learn everythin’ I could. That I'd never watch someone die needlessly again if I could prevent it."
Tòrr was quiet for a moment. "Moira could teach ye."
"What?"
"Our healer. She kens more about medicine than anyone I've ever met. Me maither taught her, like I told ye before." He moved closer. "If ye truly want tae learn healin’, she'd be the perfect teacher."
Liliane's heart began to race. "Ye'd allow that?"
"Allow?" He raised an eyebrow. "Lass, I'd encourage it. The clan always needs healers, and if ye have the callin’ fer it, why would I stand in yer way?"
"Because most men think healin’ is foolishness. Superstition and old wives' tales."
"Most men who think that must be idiots." His voice was matter-of-fact. "Me maither saved more lives with her herbs and poultices than half the surgeons in Scotland with their bleedin’s and amputations. If ye want tae learn, learn. Ye'll have me full support."
She stared at him, trying to reconcile his offer with the man who'd bought her at auction. "Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why offer this? Is it tae get on me good side? Tae make me more... amenable tae other things?"
"Ye mean tae sharin’ me bed?" His directness made her flush. "Nay. Though I willnae pretend that wouldnae be a welcome development."
"Then why?"
"Because me maither loved healin’. Because she made a real difference in people's lives. Because when she worked she was truly happy." The natural roughness of his voice softened a fraction. "And because ye deserve tae dae somethin’ that makes ye happy, even if everythin’ else about this situation is bollocks."
The honest admission struck her speechless. She turned away, staring out over the loch to give herself time to think.
What would it be like to stay there? To learn from the healer, to practice healing among the clan, to build something meaningful with her skills? To wake up each morning in those chambers, with that man, and find it bearable?
But Nessa. Sweet Nessa, alone with Faither, waitin’ fer a rescue that might never come.
"It's a kind offer," she said finally. "Thank ye."
"But?"
"But naethin’. It's kind. That's all."
She felt him move closer, the warmth of his chest pressing lightly against her back. His breath brushed the side of her neck, sending a shiver racing down her spine. "Ye're plannin’ somethin’."
"I dinnae ken what ye mean."
"Ye get this look. Like ye're calculatin’ odds and measurin’ distances." His hand touched her shoulder, turning her gently to face him. "What are ye plannin’, Liliane?"
They had stopped on a narrow rise overlooking the valley below. The path wound sharply down through the pines, the scent of wet earth and heather thick in the cool air. Far beneath them, the loch gleamed like silver, rippled by the wind.
He shifted slightly, and the movement drew her attention to the strength in his arms as he adjusted the reins. The sun broke through the clouds for a fleeting moment, glinting off the copper strands in his hair. The sight tugged at something she didn’t want to name.
"Naethin’. I'm just... tryin’ tae understand what me life here could be."
