"Sean brought her to me," Killian answered as Leah's place in the clan and his home was still under scrutiny. "He said she was a gift."
"Ye think she's a spy?"
"I think everyone is a spy," Killian answered stoically.
"True, but ye ken what I'm askin'. Do we put the lass in the cellar?" Fraser asked.
"Nay," Killian answered without hesitation. "She's nae to be bothered. In fact, I think she might be able to help me brother."
"Ye've had that hope before. Are ye sure ye're ready to be goin' down that path again?" Fraser asked. His words pinched Killian.
"She was with him but five minutes and suggested three things nay one else even considered. Now, I daenae ken how well she does with the other sort of healin', but as for me brother, she's been useful."
"Well, I think yer brother might have a bit of competition," Fraser said with a hearty chuckle that felt out of place. Killian tilted his head and glared at Fraser as if he'd gone mad.
"What's that?"
"See for yerself," Fraser answered. "Is that nae Connor? I dinnae think he'd have it in him to approach —"
Killian flexed his jaw as he watched Connor present Leah with wildflowers mixed with purple heather. The interaction brewed and stirred a possessiveness that festered in him like rotting cheese.
"Oh, that is nae goin' to happen, nae if I can do somethin' about it," Killian mumbled through gritted teeth. Seeing Leah with another, even if it was a simple gesture, was enough to make Killian see red.
"Think about yer plans, Killian. We need all the men we can get," Fraser said, his voice faint and damped by the slamming of the study door. Killian didn't know what he was going to do, but he knew he didn't like what he just witnessed.
"Daenae kill anyone!"
Charging down the corridor, the servants jolted from his path, each far too aware of the consequences of getting in his way. Killian didn't mind, though. The lack of people in the hallway allowed him a clear path to the garden.
The moment he stepped outside, Leah's gentle laughter tickled his ear and sparked his ire. He charged around the corner of the castle and paused a moment the second he spotted Leah.All their plans seemed so delicate and fragile. All she had to do, after all, was give him two months. If she met someone else, she could end up having feelings for the man and blow up his plans. And that was something Killian wasn't willing to risk, not when everything was on the line.
"Thank ye," Leah answered, her voice hanging on the breeze like the petals of a flower. A surge of protectiveness washed over him, stroking his primal urge to stake what belonged to him. And if there was one thing he was certain of, Leah belonged to him.
7
"Conner, ye really daenae have to bring me flowers," Leah said as her heart went to him. It wasn't that he wasn't handsome, he was. Leah had noticed the way the servants swooned for Conner. Conner was a sweet man with a heart as gentle as a lamb. And as fond of him as Leah was, Conner couldn't hold a candle to Killian.
"I wanted to thank ye," Conner stammered as embarrassment kissed his cheeks.
"Aye, and ye have with the bouquet ye brought me earlier this mornin’,” Leah answered. “I daenae need fresh ones throughout the day. Are ye sure there's still some left for the other lasses?" Leah asked, hoping that she didn't sound too rough with him. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt him.
"They'll grow back," he answered unapologetically.
"Conner, please. You've given me too much as it is. So much so that I daenae even ken what to do with them. I'm flattered, truly, but ye can stop," Leah said, trying her hardest not to break his heart.
She bit her lower lip as she studied his reaction. He bobbed his head as the wave of rejection claimed his gentle smile. The guilt settled in her heart. She reached for his arm to give him just the gentlest of encouragement. But before her fingertips even brushed over Conner's sleeve, it was snatched.
"I'll thank ye kindly to be givin' me a word with the healer," Killian said. His voice was stern and unyielding. Conner's eyes widened as wide as Leah's.
"Laird MacMillan, what exactly are ye doin'?" Leah asked through gritted teeth, trying to hide her annoyance for Conner's sake.
"I need to speak with ye," Killian answered, his voice silky smooth. Despite not knowing the laird all that well, Leah could feel the lashing of his words like leather straps going down her spine.
"Conner here was—" Leah started, only to have Killian cut her off.
"Just leavin'."
"Me laird, if it's all the same to ye, I believe the lady doesnae want to go with ye," Conner said despite his voice cracking with fear. Killian paused, and as if Conner had pumped Killian up with hot air, Killian straightened. Leah didn't understand how he could double in size almost instantly.
