"Nay, that is the point. By all accounts ye were brought to me as a cruel, twisted gift. But now I see that I was wrong about that."
"I'll nae be yer bride," she declared through gritted teeth. Killian's heart quickened as her defiance ignited something feral deep within him.
"There'll be nay weddin'," he countered as he turned to collect the garments he had strewn haphazardly about the chair. "Two months. That is what I am askin'."
"And who do ye think ye are demandin' such things of anyone? Do ye think the world revolves around ye and yer needs? I hate to break it to ye, but that is nae how this world works. I daenae care who ye are," Leah fired. Her words came off like lightning striking between the clouds.
"I did mention that this would benefit ye as well, did I nae?" Killian asked as he glared at Leah as if she should know what to do. The flash of recognition shot through her eyes and she turned her back to him. Killian shook his head, fascinated by how easily she understood him.
"Laird MacMillan, it was a pleasant evenin'. I am sorry that I cannae be of further assistance to ye, but I believe I will be on me way."
"Humor me," Killian called as she reached for the door. "Ye might be surprised at what I can do for ye."
"What could I possible gain from being yer prisoner?" Leah retorted.
"Yer independence, for one," Killian answered. "It's what ye truly desire is it nae?"
"I already have that."
"Do ye? Are ye sure?" Killian asked, his tone blending with sarcasm. "Because what sort of healer cannae heal?"
"I helped yer brother, did I nae?"
"That is yet to be seen," Killian countered. "Ye spouted a few wise words over a dyin' boy. That doesnae make ye the Pope."
"That's nae fair."
"Fair? How is any of this fair? Since when is anythin' fair? Or did ye think that I wouldnae notice the way ye recoiled from the blood of Sean, yet barely batted an eye at the invalid. And how modest ye were with the coin. If ye ken ye were a bonnie healer, ye'd have asked for far more."
Leah's mouth twitched but the truth hung like an old rope bridge about to snap. He could see the tears pooling in her eyes and let out a heavy sigh. He didn't intend to cause her so much duress, but he wasn't about to let the opportunity pass him by.
"Now, if ye give me just two little months," he continued, his tone far softer than before. He realized he'd have to tend to the matter like a new fowl in the wild. "I can ensure that ye'll be well compensated. Enough to set ye on yer own path, whatever that may be."
"Why do ye even need a bride?" Leah asked defiantly, her strength of character stunning Killian. He watched her carefully as he slipped his arms through his shirt and let the towel wrapped around his waist drop to the ground.
Leah turned her head with an audible gasp escaping her lips. Killian couldn’t tell if he was amused by her innocence or confused by it. After all, if she was a healer, she wouldn’t be so bashful around a male body.
Killian's expression turned serious as his thoughts jumped and skipped over his responsibilities. It wasn't just the clan he had to look after, but his brother as well. His sole purpose in life was to ensure his brother was well cared for, even if that meant sacrificing everything he had.
“Why does anyone need to wed? Procreation,” Killian answered with a snicker, half-expecting the shock to return to Leah’s face. She folded her arms over her chest, clearly unamused by him.
“And ye thought, what, exactly? I’d just roll over and let ye do what ye will? Over me dead body.”
“Yer nae the first to say somethin’ along those lines,” Killian said. “And I’m certain, ye’ll nae be the last.”
“Then what is it yer proposin’? And why do ye want me?” "Me council is growin' anxious," Killian finally conceded. "The plan is to have a ceilidh in two months for me to choose a bride."
"Well then, it seems to me that ye've already got this sorted and ye daenae need me," Leah said as she tried to move around Killian to get to the door but failed with each attempt.
"I do," Killian said, grabbing Leah by the shoulders to keep her still. The seriousness of the situation weighed heavily on him. She was, after all, a stranger, dropped at his feet as if she could solve all his problems. Yet, the longer he stared at her, the more he couldn’t help but shake the feeling she had a purpose still.
“Why are ye lookin’ at me like I’m a rabbit and yer a wolf?” Leah asked, pulling Killian up short. He dropped his hands from her shoulders and stepped back from her.
“Because I’m debatin’ on whether or nae I can trust ye,” he answered.
“As me father always said, nae makin’ up yer mind about somethin’ is the answer. Ye’ve got to just let it go and hope for the best,” Leah said as she attempted to maneuver around Killian to get to the door. He sidestepped, blocking her path and making it impossible to get by him.
“Why do I get the impression yer faither never said that?” Killian asked as Leah glanced at him with malice.
