Torquil smiled. He kenned it was Rory’s acceptance that Eilidh wished for the most. Kenning that he had that now, felt as if all was right in the world. The healer rushed out the door as they neared.
“Bring him to my room,” she ordered, her gray hair pulled neatly back into a tight braid. She shook her head in annoyance. “I will ne’er understand why ye men must do such things. ’Tis a ridiculous and barbaric show of muscle. And we wonder why the English call us barbarians.” She pointed to Torquil’s shoulder. “This. This would be why. Sit,” she ordered.
Torquil did as he was told, ducking his head so his hair would fall into his face and hide his amusement. The healer wasn’t wrong.
“Off with the tunic so I can see the damage yer antics have created.”
Torquil liked her fire even though she was scolding him at the same time she was caring for him.
Lily, the healer, had been with the family since the Hart children were bairns, Torquil learned from Eilidh as she helped him out of his tunic. The movement causing him to wince.
He looked around the room. Dried herbs hung in clusters from the ceiling. Pots and cauldrons lined the shelves filled with elixirs and salves.
Lily clucked her tongue as her fingers prodded at the wound on Torquil’s shoulder first, making him wince. “I will need to stitch this one for certs.
The bleeding had slowed, which he was thankful for. He hadn’t wanted to actually die by Alpin’s hand, though he had been willing.
As Lily cleansed the wound with a cloth soaked in warm water and some type of salve, she continued to ramble on about the stupidity ofmen. He could not say she was wrong.
“Eilidh, go fetch the strongest ale we have on hand.”
Eilidh paused, and she looked like she didn’t want to leave. “I will be fine. Ye willnae be gone long.”
She nodded and hurried out the door.
“Was it worth it?” Lily asked, moving to a counter and preparing a needle and thread.
“Aye,” Torquil answered quickly. “I would have done aught.”
Lily smiled and patted his other shoulder. “’Tis nice to see Eilidh smile. I believe I have seen her smile more since ye have entered her life, than all her years previous.”
That statement brought a smile to his own lips. “Thank ye.”
“Una says this is as strong an ale that we have,” Eilidh announced as she returned.
“Good,” Lily said, and turned to Torquil. “Drink up.”
He did as he was told. The ale was slightly bitter, but on his empty stomach, he felt some of the tension release from his body.
“This will still pinch.”
The healer was not lying.
“I am fine, Firebrand,” Torquil said later in Eilidh’s bedchamber.
“Ye must rest. Ye were hurt.”
“’Twas a just cut,” he insisted.
Eilidh crossed her arms as she stood over him. “Ye have two cuts. And they werenae merely cuts, as ye say. Both required numerous stitches.”
He reached out and pulled on her hand, forcing her to uncross her arms and drew her closer. “I appreciate yer concern. But I am weel. I promise ye.”
She looked at him, unconvinced.
He pulled her down, placing a kiss on her lips. “’Tis no’ as bad as it looks.”
“I beg to differ,” she said against his mouth. “There was so muchblood.” She dropped onto the bed beside him and leaned into his good shoulder.
