Still thinking about how to get Kayden alone, Lilliana passed no one on her way to the healer’s quarters, for which she was very thankful. She stepped into the now-cleaned chamber and closed the door behind her.
Circling the large table in the middle of the room, she took a seat on the bench behind it with a sigh. She loved the smell of herbs, the astringent lemon peel she brought with her from England, mixed with soothing lavender blossoms and fragrant cinnamon powder.
Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Rua strolled in.
She had to smile at the dog. “You know you are the best company in this castle?”
A meow sounded behind her, and she jerked in surprise before turning to see her cat lounging on the top shelves.
She laughed. “I am sorry. I meant no disrespect to you, Bram. You are the best company everywhere.” She stood up and went to rub her rump.
Bramble gave a disgruntled purr, her eyes on the dog. Rua looked right back at her, his mouth open, teeth on display like he was grinning.
Lilliana shook her head ruefully. “Now, now, we are all friends here. Can we all try to get along?”
She went back to her table, picked up one of her medical books, and sat down to read the section on nutrition, trying to find a remedy she could use to prevent weakness. The closest she could find was a recipe for scurvy.
Take two ounces of sassafras, shaved very thin, one ounce of coriander seeds, one ounce of gum guaiacum, three ounces of stick licorice infused in one gallon of lime water, for three or four days. If the lime is strong, you may put a gallon and a half of water to a pound of lime.
Lilliana sighed. “It is somewhere to start and…” She looked up and around the room. “I have all the ingredients with me now. I wonder how many villagers there are. Who could tell me that?”
As if on cue, there was a knock on the door. Lilliana stared at it, not really wanting to see anyone.
It could be a patient.
She expelled a loud breath. “Come in.”
Moira opened the door. She had a tray in her hand. “Ye missed tea, Me Lady,” she said, putting the tray on the table.
There was a steaming pot, a cup and saucer, a plate piled with bannocks, and some buns spread liberally with butterandjam.
Lilliana cocked an eyebrow at the luxurious meal.
“This is lovely.” She took a bite of the bread as Moira poured her some tea. She tilted her head to the side, and as the opportunity presented itself now, she decided to ask, “Moira? Is there any way we could get more food for the village?”
Moira gave her a sidelong glance. “Why do ye ask?”
“Well, it is part of my duties as the Laird’s wife to see to the welfare of the village, is it not?”
“Aye.”
“So—I mean, look at this spread.” She gestured to the tray between them. “Isn’t theresomethingwe can do?”
“Ye would have to speak with the Laird about that. It would mean slaughterin’ some livestock, perhaps.”
“What about purchasing crops? From surrounding clans, for example?”
Moira shrugged. “All the clans are in the same situation as we are. Attacks from redcoats, scarcity of food—all of it.”
Lilliana let out a long sigh. “What if we asked my father to send some supplies from England? He has shares in the British East India Company. He could get supplies locally and ship them to us. Should I write to him?”
“Ye really should discuss this with the Laird, as I daenae ken much.” Moira smiled. “But I ken that the villagers appreciate yer efforts. Ye have done very well, Me Lady.”
Lilliana blushed at the compliment, feeling somewhat shy. “I only did what anyone would do.”
Moira snorted derisively. “Forgive me for doubting that.”
Lilliana sighed. “But you are right. I will discuss it with the Laird.”
