“Can you think of any reason why someone should wish to kill her?”
“She was killed?” Lorna asked, feeling that tightening fear in her chest again. She had hoped it was all just a dreadful accident, and that Mrs. Creech hadn’t been the recipient of some angry violence.
“Aye, lass. Tobias found the wound.” Bryce’s eyes locked to hers again, and she drew comfort from them. She shook her head.
“Nae, I cannae think why anyone would wish tae kill her. Besides, now that she is gone, people will have tae go many more miles tae retrieve a good healer and midwife. Whoever killed her was a great fool.”
“A good assessment, lass. My own wife is now with child, and we must find a new midwife for her. Thank you, Miss Lorna. Laird McAdam. And Bryce, good tae see ye again.”
Bryce shook his hand. “And congratulations tae ye, lad, on that score.”
Lorna saw her father wave to the Englishman, and together they left the room in deep discussion. Bryce crouched down in front of Lorna and took her hands in his. She knew they were still trembling, and she bit her lip, embarrassed that her body was betraying her fear. Bryce was as still and solid as an oak tree. She envied his strength.
“Ye well, lass?” He was looking into her eyes, deeply, and she felt the same flutter in her chest that she always did when he looked at her with such concern. “Ye did a good job.”
“Aye, I am well, thank you.” She could feel Kyla’s eyes on her as Bryce’s hands held hers tightly. But she was too reluctant to pull away. They encased her hands in a rough, warm, embrace, and while he held her, the trembling stopped.
“Good.” He brushed a kiss against one hand and rose to his feet. “I will stay a little while longer, tae assist Tobias and yer father with this. Ye donnae mind?”
She shook her head, ignoring the tiny flip of her heart that accompanied his declaration. “Nae at all. Ye will be of good service, I am sure.”
“As will ye, Lorna. I will see ye both later.” Bryce gave them a parting smile, and Lorna was both glad and sad that he was gone. Now, she would be forced to think about why she had sudden waves of feelings for Bryce that had lain dormant for so long. Her eyes moved about the room but stopped when they saw Mrs. Creech.
Lorna chastised herself for selfishness. What were flutters about handsome men when death was at hand?
