"Ye never ken, I could help him."
"So have many others and they've failed. What makes ye think ye could do any better?"
Leah's heart fluttered wildly as she stared him down. She didn't have an answer for him, just the desire to ease the pain he held. The laird was a conundrum she found herself yearning to solve and heal.
"If maybe I ken what was wrong with him, I'd have a better idea as to how to treat him."
"Sean dinnae mention to ye why me brother is ill?"
Leah shook her head. "Just that I'd make the perfect gift for ye. Which I must say, I find offensive. I'm nae a gift. Nor should any human be treated in such a manner."
"I've put the man in the dungeons. Is that nae justice enough for ye? Or is it vengeance ye seek? Retribution perhaps? I can tell ye, ye'll nae like how it tastes. Tis nae as sweet as one would think."
"I have nay desire for such things," Leah said, finding herself entranced by the way the laird's mouth moved as he spoke. The words may have come out like venom, but the undercurrent felt like a river of velvet ushering to a safe harbor.
The laird arched his eyebrow and glared at her a moment before clearing his throat. "Follow me."
"Where are ye takin' me?" Leah asked as the laird curled his fingers around her arm and escorted her from the Great Hall.
"Ye think ye can help me brother, then let's see what ye can do."
Their footsteps echoed through the corridors. The tapestries and paintings adorning the walls stunned her. She had never seen such fine art before and attention to detail. She could see how a man with the reputation of the laird could surround himself with such beauty.
"Here we are," the laird said as he stopped at the door. Leah gasped as she plowed into him, nearly knocking herself over in the process. The heat of embarrassment touched her cheeks as her chest tightened. Killian’s eyes narrowed as he grabbed her by the arm to steady her. His grip on her elbow shocked her. She wasn’t expecting the gush of excitement as his fingers curled around her arm as she righted herself.
“Forgive me,” she mumbled.
“Do ye always have this much trouble walkin’?” Killian asked as he turned his attention to the door. Leah rolled her shoulders back, readying herself for whatever lurked beyond the closed door. All she knew was that if she didn't want to face the laird's wrath, she'd do her best.
"Laird MacMillan," the man beside the bed gasped as he jumped to greet his laird. His gaze immediately shifted to Leah, and for a moment, she wondered if she should be there at all. "What is this? We werenae expectin’ to have ye here today. And ye brought a stranger, fascinatin’."
"A healer," Killian answered as he nudged Leah deeper into the room. "I want her to have a look at Mason."
"Miss Elsie just left. I doubt that this woman can give us any better insight as to what ails Mason," the man said as Killian moved to the foot of the bed.
"This is me brother, Mason," Killian introduced without batting an eye in Leah's direction. "He's been ill all his life. Isnae that right, braither?"
There was malice and frustration seeping from the laird's tone that pricked Leah. She couldn't tell if the laird was more irritated due to the inability to help his brother or because he had cared for the man for so long and was tired of doing it.
"Mason, me name is Leah, Leah Henderson. I was a healer for the O'Malley clan. Do ye mind if I take a look at ye?" Leah asked as she moved carefully and with purpose to the edge of the bed.
"Relax, Alan," Mason chuckled. "I daenae think she's come to kill me."
"Why would ye think that?" Killian asked as Leah noticed his hands balling into tight fists. Mason flashed Killian a deathly glare. Clearly, the two were engaged in an unspoken war that Mason was destined to win. "Never mind. Ye do what ye will. If ye daenae want her to look over ye, fine."
"If she is a true healer," Alan chimed in. Leah couldn't help but notice the man's peppered gray hair and hooked nose. He looked like a wise old sage with his white whiskers and friendly smile. "Then let her look. The more hands on the problem, the quicker we'll find a solution."
"Alan is one of twenty council members," Killian said as he leaned over Leah’s shoulder, his hot breath caressing her neck. A tingle of pleasure raced up Leah’s spine as Killian moved aroundher as if he were a fierce, protective wolf. "If ye havenae noticed. He speaks with a silver tongue to appease all sides."
"What can I say? It's a gift that has allowed me to live as long as I have," Alan chuckled as Leah took a weary step closer to Mason. She dared to steal a glimpse at Killian as if ensuring that she was allowed to continue. With Killian’s eyes boring into her, Leah wondered how she was able to move at all. He enchanted her, stole her attention and her wits.
"Pay nay mind to me brother," Mason mumbled, pulling Leah out of the daze Killian had ensnared her with. Mason’s voice was raspy and weak. By the pale color on his cheeks that held just a whisper of a blush, Leah was certain Mason was suffering from some sort of an infection. But what kind, she wasn't sure. It wasn't like she'd be able to figure it out just with a once over.
"Well?" Killian snapped as he folded his arms over his chest. She glanced up at him, feeling the intensity of his gaze as if he had harnessed the power of the sun. "Do ye ken what's wrong with him?"
"Forgive me, but I'm goin' to need more than just a moment to figure that out. I can tell he needs more garlic and sunlight. His skin and eyes are too yellow. Ye'll need to get him outside more."
"Out of the question," Killian barked. His rejection shot through Leah like an arrow through its target.
