Bhaltair’s gaze strayed to the tub, steam still rising from its surface. “Aye?”
“Aye, she burst in in the middle of my bath.”
That earned him a quick laugh as Bhaltair took in the state of his clothing.
“She’s gone, so something she saw didna set well with her.” He set the tray on the bed and crossed his arms. “Or were ye in such a rush to see to Niall?”
Jamie broke off another bite of cheese. “Both. Let’s go.”
Bhaltair followed him out, pulling the door shut behind them.
Niall was indeed awake when he arrived. His color looked good, and a quick palm to his forehead told Jamie his fever was much reduced. He dared not use his talent with Aftyn hovering over her, nay,hispatient, but despite having to stop from exhaustion before he’d completely eradicated the poison from Niall’s blood, Jamie would wager Niall’s body did the rest.
A few days to finish healing the injury to his leg and to let the man eat and regain his strength, and he’d be fit for the return trip to the Aerie. As far as Jamie was concerned, that day would not come soon enough.
Much to Jamie’s surprise, now that Niall was awake, Aftyn lost her aggrieved air. “I’m glad to see ye feeling better,” she told him as she took his hand. “And so sorry I wasna able to do more for ye.”
He squeezed her hand and said, “I ken ye tried.”
His voice was weaker than Jamie liked, but he had responded to Aftyn’s apology. If only he knew she’d nearly cost him his leg—or possibly his life. Jamie expected he’d be much less forgiving of her failings.
* * *
The emotions flittingacross Aftyn’s face fascinated Jamie. Relief had been paramount as she apologized to Niall. Her breathing had slowed and her posture relaxed as she focused on him and smiled the first truly open, unselfconscious smile he’d see on her face. It captivated him. But after that, as she settled back and let Niall rest, he saw guilt and sadness in her downcast gaze. Was she recalling how she’d failed Niall?
Bhaltair was right. Jamie owed her an apology for his outburst when they met. He should tell her he appreciated her efforts on Niall’s behalf, no matter how untutored or misguided they’d been. To hear Neve tell it, she’d devoted all her time and effort trying to save Niall. Though he’d blamed her at first for Niall’s condition, he found he could no longer. He hated recalling the sadness in her gaze and the defeat in her posture that night. It made him want to comfort her, to take her in his arms—though after she burst in on his bath, his intentions were poised to turn in another direction entirely.
But then she changed again as her thoughts apparently took a new direction. She stiffened and the strangest indication of all, the speeding pulse he could see at her throat, made him watch her even more closely. That and her tightened features spoke of one emotion—one he’d seen many times on the battlefield. Fear.
Fear for Niall? Or for herself? Who would harm her for trying to save an injured stranger? Highland hospitality extended even here, closer to the coast. They would not have turned Niall away unless Rabbie and Fearchar showed hostility to the clan. Niall’s injury was the result of accident, not battle. So they’d been taken in and cared for with the best the clan could offer. That best would have been poor comfort to Niall in another day or two, but Jamie’s arrival had saved him.
Jamie found himself studying Aftyn and realizing his anger had dissipated as Niall’s recovery progressed. But his question remained. Why was a half-trained lass the only healer this clan could summon?
Perhaps the laird would have the answer. Jamie decided then that he would see him before treating Niall again. Aftyn raised questions he wanted answers to, even though they were not strictly Lathan business. Niall’s predicament made them his.
He signaled to Fearchar that he would return soon and went in search of the laird’s solar.
A big, burly man with a deep voice and gray-shot hair, Laird Keith stood as he entered and welcomed him. “’Tis an unhappy event that brings us together,” he said, gesturing Jamie to a seat, “but I’m told yer clansman has improved greatly under yer care.”
“He has, and thank ye for yer care of him and yer hospitality for the rest of us. We hope to be gone within the sennight, but much will depend on how fast Niall regains his strength and readiness to travel.”
“Of course.” The Keith paused and narrowed his eyes. “Perhaps while ye are here, ye will use yer expertise to aid a few of ours for whom Aftyn’s skills have proven insufficient.”
Jamie’s hackles pricked up at how the laird’s narrow-eyed expression contrasted with the subtly-delivered suggestion. He didn’t know the man, but he recognized an order, even as obliquely delivered as that had been. An echo of his angry vow not to use his talent amplified his sense of disquiet. How much did the laird expect from him? His talent made him a far better healer than Aftyn ever could be, but he did not know everything. Much he’d failed to learn by turning his back on his ability. At home, he could always call on Aileanna’s greater skill. Here, it had become clear he had the greater skill. The thought sent him into a cold sweat.
Instead of making a promise he didn’t want to be held to, he temporized, saying only, “I’d be honored to do what little I can for Keith while we remain.” He could use his herbal medicines without fear of exposing his greater talent. “But I must ask. Why do ye lack a fully trained healer?”
The Keith’s fist clenched and released immediately, telling Jamie he trod into dangerous territory.
“Aftyn’s mother, the former healer, died suddenly…” He paused and allowed the silence to grow.
“I’m aware. She isna well trained,” Jamie said. “Are there no others who can care for the clan and finish training the lasses who remain?”
“Such as ye?” The Keith said it with a tight smile that did not reach his eyes.
A chill skittered down Jamie’s back. He was a fool not to have expected this. “I’ve already promised to do what I can while we remain, but a sennight at most is not long enough to fully train a healer.”
“I’m aware,” the Keith replied, echoing Jamie’s curt response. “Alas, there are no other healers or midwives within the clan.”
