CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
“Father, ye cannae be serious. He was with me when we found Kyla!” Lorna knew she shouldn’t be that surprised at her father’s rash opinions but she still was. Her eyes were wide as she stared at him in disbelief.
Thankfully, Tobias made no move to listen to her father. “We can discuss what tae do next, Laird. We can meet privately. But I can vouch for Bryce MacDowell. He would have nae reason tae do such things!”
“I still donnae trust him!” Fergus said, raising a finger. Lorna pushed his arm down.
“Father, please!”
“Stay out of this, lass. Ye must learn yer place. That is why ye need to marry, so that ye can learn that women have nae place in such discussions.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Lorna saw Bryce take a step forward. She looked to him and shook her head a little to prevent even further arguments.
“I cannae believe ye would say such a thing, Father,” Lorna said. “But, as I am nae wanted, I shall take me leave.” She looked down at Kyla and then rushed off, and she could hear footsteps from behind her. As she rushed into the safety of the library, she wished that it was Bryce who had followed her.
He could wrap her into his large, warm arms and tell her that everything was well. That her father was just a bastard, but instead, she groaned when she saw Athol walk in after her. “What is it, brother?” she asked, flailing her arms in the air and feeling tears come to her eyes. “Come tae continue Father’s scolding? Well, I can tell ye now that I am in nae mood tae listen.”
“Nae, lass,” Athol said in a soothing tone, and to her surprise, he reached out for her and pulled her into his arms. She laid her head against his chest and let the tears fall.
“Why should someone wish tae hurt Kyla? She is the dearest, sweetest woman, and the best friend I have ever had!” She breathed out. “I cannae imagine living without her.”
“I ken,” he said, brushing his hand on her hair. Lorna smiled, grateful that Athol was not going to scold her for being alone with Bryce again. “We will find whoever did this, Lorna.”
She nodded and then pulled away, wanting to pace again, trying to think of anyone who could ever think to do such a thing. At least Kyla was not dead, and she knew her family would care for her like one of their own. Athol scrunched up his nose and rubbed a hand through his hair. “Ye donnae think that there is a chance Bryce did these things?”
“What?” she screeched. “Nae! Like I said, I was with him when we found Kyla.”
“Well, Kyla’s attacker and the killer could be different people.” Athol shrugged. “It is just so strange that these things began when Bryce came with ye after the wedding.”
“Nae. Impossible,” Lorna said, starting to pace again. “There would be nae reason for it. Bryce holds nae ill will against our village. It would make much more sense if the person lived here.”
“Fine then. Well, I am certain that father will find out. Even if the English soldier is useless.” Athol rolled his eyes, and Lorna ignored him as he moved to the door. “Just, keep yerself safe, lass. And try tae stop getting caught by father just after ye have been out with Bryce. It wouldnae be wise. He is in a mood of late.”
She nodded, and once he left, she paced around a little more before leaving the library and walking to Kyla’s chamber. Kyla was sleeping when she entered, and a healer was attending to some of the wounds on Kyla’s face.
“Och,” Lorna said. “Ye are the healer me father brought back with him?” she asked the older woman.
She was tall with her dark, graying hair tied back, and when she looked at Lorna, Lorna could feel the kindness in her gaze. “Aye, lass.” She dipped her cloth into a basin of warm water at the side table and continued to wipe Kyla’s face.
“Do ye think me friend will be all right?”
“Aye. I do. I have given her a sleeping potion. There was a wound on her head, but I have cleaned it. It needs time tae heal.”
“Thank ye,” Lorna said, feeling her heart lighten a little. “And me mother? How is she?”
“Och, so ye are the daughter, then?” the healer said softly. “She is well, lass. Whoever took care of her in the last two days did a good job. Her fever is down, and she is sitting up and having a little soup.”
Lorna’s heart leapt. At least something good was happening. “Do ye think it is safe for me to go and see her?”
“Aye, safe now. I donnae think ye need tae worry about it spreading.”
“Thank ye!” Lorna said and left the room quickly, not wanting to wait to gain her father’s permission as well. He deserved for her to go against him. She slipped down the corridor and knocked softly on her mother’s chamber door.
“Come in,” her mother said, and Lorna smiled when she saw her mother looking well, a bowl of soup in her hands.
“Och, Lorna,” her mother said in a hoarse voice, but her lips curled into a smile. “So good tae see ye. Come and sit by me.”
Lorna hurried over and took the soup bowl out of her mother’s hand, so that she could hold her hands. “Father made me so worried, Mother. He wouldnae let me come and visit ye. I am so sorry.”
