Kayden ignored him and mounted his horse, taking a short ride along the outer fields where the trackmen reported no sign of the mysterious healer. The wind bit at his face, clearing his thoughts. Still, more than once, he found his gaze drifting towards the path that led down to the village.
By midday, he returned to the castle to mediate a small dispute between two shepherds, settling it with a few firm words and the promise of shared grazing rights until spring.
One of the older men clasped his forearm before leaving.
“Her Ladyship came by the lower cottages this morning,” he said. “Brought herbs. Didnae fuss over rank or dirt. Sat right on the ground with us.”
Kayden nodded once, expression carefully neutral.
“She is… different,” the man added.
“Aye,” Kayden agreed quietly.
Jacob found him again near the armory steps.
“Ye ken,” he said lightly, “if ye keep walking around like that, folks will start placing wagers.”
“On what?”
“On whether ye will ever manage to eat a full meal without staring at the door.”
Kayden snorted despite himself. “Ye talk too much.”
“And ye brood too much,” Jacob returned easily. “Come. Dinner is about to be served.”
They entered the dining hall together.
Rua appeared at his side as if summoned by his thoughts, and Kayden huffed. As he walked slowly towards the high table, he passed his housekeeper, who avoided his gaze. Everyone in the castle seemed upset with him these days.
Aye, well, it cannae be helped.
Kayden refused to be rushed. He could only deal with one crisis at a time. Once they had eradicated the sickness, he would turn his attention to Lilliana.
He nodded to her as he took the seat opposite her, and a maid placed a plate of food in front of him. He pulled it close, with a nod of greeting to Fergus.
“How is the calf?” Lilliana asked.
Kayden cocked an eyebrow in surprise, and then his gaze flicked to Fergus as he realized the old healer must have told her. “He’s fine. Just a bit of colic.”
She nodded. “That’s good.”
“And ye?” he asked, taking a bite of steak. “How was yer day?”
She gave a deep, tired sigh. “Long. I’ve narrowed down the area from which the villagers are getting poisoned water.”
“Is that so? Ye must show me on the map, and I’ll send men to investigate.”
She leaned forward, her gaze intent. His fork froze midway to his mouth as he stared back at her.
“I can help,” she said.
He blinked, having not expected that. “Help? Ye already have.”
“No, I mean with the search.”
His brow furrowed as he sat back, shaking his head. “That’s a job for me men, nae the lady of the castle,” he said firmly.
She huffed. “It’d be faster if I were on site as they looked. I could confirm whether we were right?—”
