"Oh, would ye look at that," the servant said as she pulled her apron off and wrapped it around Leah, much to Killian's irritation. "Let's get ye into somethin' a bit more… well, just more."
Leah glanced at Killian. He knew shame should be the emotion crippling him, but it was lust that had ensnared his senses. It wasn't just her body that tormented him, but her laugh and the pitch of her voice. Killian was finding himself drawn to her in every way.
"Fetch the dressmaker," Killian ordered as he watched the servant guide Leah back to her room. "I want him here as soon as possible."
9
"And how is that?" Leah asked as she eased Mason to the headboard, fluffing his pillow for comfort.
"Better," Mason mumbled. "Thank ye."
"Aye, well, tis nay good to be lyin' down all down. Ye at least need to see the world from a different perspective every once in a while," Leah said, flashing Mason a smile. When she first started seeing Mason, she couldn't see how Mason was related to Killian other than the color of their hair. But over the weeks, she started picking up more and more details that linked the two of them as brothers.
"Is that how ye can stand bein' in the same room as that man?" Mason asked as Leah poured him a cup of her willow bark and lavender tea. With unsteady hands, Mason held the cup. Leah watched as the glass clattered and rattled against the saucer plate. She took a deep breath, fighting against the urge to take the cup and help him with it. At least the clatter would cease. Buthe had to learn and regain his strength, and having things done for him was no way to get him better.
"Killian has shown me nay ill will," Leah explained as his name caught in her throat. Just the mere thought of him caused little bumps to rise over her skin. Images of his face popped into her mind as her lips singed once again as if he were right there, crushing his lips to hers.
"Daenae let that man fool ye," Mason said, setting the teacup on his lap. The lack of clatter caused the room to go still. There was no denying the weight that was placed on her shoulders the second her gaze met Mason's. "He's cunnin'."
"One must be if they're to be the laird, daenae ye think?" Leah asked as she tried to dispel the tension. But not even her light-hearted tone could shift the weight off her shoulders. Mason stared at her. His hand whipped out faster than a snake. Mason's fingers were around Leah's wrist before she even knew he had moved.
"Mason?" Leah stared at him as a rush of dread plowed through her like a storm on the moors.
"Promise me ye'll be careful when ye're around him," Mason whispered as his eyes shifted to the door half-crazed, expecting someone to come through. "He has a way of gettin' in yer head. Ye cannae let him to do that. Promise me, ye'll be careful."
"Aye," Leah said in her most calming tone. She placed a soothing hand over his to remind him to release her. A tear formed in hisbloodshot eyes and rolled down his cheek. Horror flickered in his gaze as Leah removed his hand from hers. "I'll be careful. Ye have me word."
"There's rumors," Mason said, his tone a bit more collected than before.
"When isnae there? I ken ye’re cooped up in this room all the time, and ye’re nay doubt itchin' for news. But ye cannae believe everythin' ye hear," Leah said, trying to keep her voice light and airy. She didn't like the fact that Mason had worked himself up into a frenzy. It certainly wasn't good for his health, that much she was certain of.
"I ken me brother and what he's capable of doin'," Mason said stone-faced.
"And what exactly is it ye heard?" Leah asked as she eased the tea cup once again to Mason and sat back.
"He took ye against yer will," Mason hissed as if the words were thorns. "Is it true? I'll have ye avenged."
Leah's hand darted to her mouth to stifle the dark chuckle threatening to come out. Mason's eyes widened as his expression grew cold. He looked at her as if she were his mortal enemy.
"That's nae what happened. The laird didnae touch me," Leah said.
"I'd sayin' kissin' ye is touchin' ye," Mason huffed.
"
"Mason, I understand that ye want to protect me," Leah said as the door creaked open. "But I promise ye, I can handle me own affairs."
"As any strong independent woman should." Alan's voice rang through the room. Leah rose from the chair and collected Mason's cup from him. She had hoped he would have drank more, but she'd put enough bark in the tea to ease Mason into sleep in minutes.
"Alan," Mason said through a wet cough. "I wasnae expectin' ye come today."
"Nonsense, me lad," Alan said as he hobbled to the chair Leah had just occupied. "I come to see ye everyday. And how are ye doin' today?"
"Better," Mason answered as Leah felt his eyes shift to her.
"Aye well, with a lass like her, of course ye'd be feelin' better," Alan chuckled as Leah collected the dirty dishes.
"I've given him some tea that will make him sleepy," Leah said over her shoulder. "So daenae be surprised if he cannae hold a conversation in a bit."
