CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Any relaxation Lorna might have felt in Kyla’s presence was now gone. Her blood was rushing through her veins at double the speed, and her heart was pounding. “Kyla, do ye think he heard us? Do ye think he kens?”
“Nae, lass, go and answer him.”
Her father knocked again, louder this time. “Lorna!” He called, and Lorna crept over to the door, and, wincing a little, she opened it.
“Aye, father? Is everything all right?”
When she looked at him, she could see he was a little frenzied. There was a sheen of sweat on his forehead as if he had already been training with the men, and his hair was unkempt, as was his beard.
“Father?” she asked, waiting for him to speak, but he was just scowling.
“I need tae travel a bit tae a far village. I need tae find a healer. It is nae too serious, but yer mother is nae feeling well, and I am worried for her.”
Lorna forgot all worries about herself. “Mother? But I thought she was just resting yesterday.”
“She didnae want tae worry ye, lass. And it could be naething, but I donnae like the fact that there is nae healer close enough for me tae call. I want tae go bring them meself from the far village and perhaps even convince them tae stay once we find out who this damned killer is.”
Lorna nodded. “Aye. I will stay with mother.”
Her father shook his head. “Nae, ye will stay far away, in case it is something that will make ye sick as well. Ye may send the servants in tae bring her food.”
Lorna tried to protest, but her father held up his hand. “Donnae argue with me, lass. I ken that is yer habit of late, but believe me about this. I want ye well and healthy. I willnae abide losing another family member after dear Siusan’s loss.” It had been years, but Lorna could still see the pain in her father’s eyes.
“Aye, I understand,” she said, nodding, and her father visibly relaxed.
“Thank ye. I will be back taemorrow, I hope. Or the day after.” He leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek, a rare sign of fatherly affection.
Lorna smiled, happy for the touch. “Safe travels, father. Is Athol going with ye?”
“Nae, he will need tae stay here and deal with clan business, like the funeral while I am away. Ye will sort Mrs. Creech’s funeral, aye?”
“Aye. Worry about naething, father. Except finding a good healer.”
He touched her on the head and then patted her cheek. “Thank ye, lass. Good day tae ye. Listen tae yer brother, mind.” He turned to leave and in a lower voice, he said, “And watch yerself around that Bryce MacDowell. I am nae sure I can trust him now that the deaths keep happening and only started after he arrived.”
“Father, I donnae think—” she began but was cut off.
“Good day, lass!” He waved and left down the passage, his thick boots pounding on the floor.
Lorna shut the door and turned to face Kyla. “Ye heard then?”
“Aye, I’m sorry, lass.” Kyla frowned. “Yer mother will get better soon, I’m sure. She is a strong woman. She’s been through childbirth, and she will get through this.”
Lorna sank onto the bed. “But it is just so strange that she is falling ill right when all the healers are being killed. Nae strange but just frustrating. Makes one feel helpless. And now father willnae be around tae help solve the murders.”
Kyla tried her best to remain cheerful. She sat next to Lorna on the bed. “But we have Bryce, and we have Tobias and Athol. That will be enough.”
“And us,” Lorna said with a smile. “Now, with me father gone, we can work even harder tae solve it.”
Lorna rose to her feet, energized by what freedom this could afford her. Her father was much stricter than her brother, and her father was a little cleverer too. Athol would not see what wasn’t right in front of him, so she would do her best to hide her movements. She clapped her hands together. “Perfect.”
“Lorna, I donnae think—”
“Donnae worry, Kyla. We willnae do anything major, just ask questions!”
“But Lorna,” Kyla tried again.
