Page 4 of A Laird and a Healer

However, Caroline did not have it in her to be meek. It was her fault that they had been captured. She should have been more cautious, and should have been quicker in discouraging Nessa from stealing the food. Desperation and fatigue had been their downfall, but while there was breath in her lungs, she would do everything she could to ensure the safety of her sisters.

She jutted her chin out and lifted her gaze to meet his eyes. Strands of hair brushed against her cheek. Her jaws ached from the tight gag, and her hands were still bound behind her. The knotted rope bit into her skin.

“What dae we hae here? When I was alerted that trespassers were in our midst, I dinnae believe they could be as fair as ye,” Laird Knox began.

The words rolled out of him in an ominous deep voice, like the first stirrings of a storm on the distant horizon, the kind that Caroline had always wished would blow past without incident. He reached out a hand and placed a finger beneath her chin. He gently turned her head from right to left, his gaze never leaving her.

She drank in the rest of the room. They were in a receiving hall. The ceiling was high, the walls were adorned with banners and shields. There were two, long tables either side of the room, accompanied by dozens of chairs. Two guards stood by the entrance, while a third was directly behind Caroline. Between Knox’s legs, she caught a glimpse of an impressive high seat, stately and grand.

“Dinnae ye know the rules, lass? Hae ye nae heard the warnings about what happens tae trespassers on my land?” His words were slow, deliberate. His voice rose slightly as he asked the question.

She was not sure if he expected an answer or not. The wrong word might cost Caroline her life. Then again, silence might bring about the same result. It was a horrible thing to have her fate so dependent on the whims of powerful men.

“I wasn’t aware we hae entered yer territory. It was dark and we made a mistake. I apologize on behalf of myself and my sisters,” Caroline swallowed her pride, making herself sound as beseeching as possible. She arched her eyebrows to the middle of her forehead and widened her eyes, hoping to appear as helpless as possible so that he might pity them—if his heart had any room for pity.

Knox drew his hand back, sliding it beneath her chin. He stroked his own jaw and bit his lower lip in a pensive stare.

“Ye want me tae believe that three lasses like ye were out this late at night? The forest is nae a place for people like ye, especially when darkness falls. And ye are nae peasant girls, that’s for certain,” he paced back and forth as he spoke, leaving her vision.

She could feel him behind her. The weight of his gaze made her spine tingle. Nessa said something, but her words were muffled. She struggled against her bindings, but it was no use. He returned to stand in front of Caroline, but this time he crouched down on his haunches so that they were at eye level.

“I think ye hae better tell me yer story, lass, and then I’ll decide what tae dae with ye.”

As he waited for her to begin speaking, he reached out an expectant hand. It only took a moment for a servant to rush forward with a mug of wine. The liquid was thick and dark. He took a gurgling gulp. His lips were stained crimson. A thin line trickled out of the corner of his mouth.

He wiped it away by bringing his forearm across his face. His eyes were unblinking. Caroline wondered how many people had thrown themselves at his mercy and confessed all their sins just by virtue of that intense gaze.

Her mind worked quickly. The Gilmour and Knox Clans had long been rivals. She couldn’t be certain that being honest with Laird Knox would ensure their safety. He might well ransom them back to his uncle. She decided it was better to divorce themselves from their family name, for the time being, at least. But because she lied quickly, there was an element of truth to her lie.

“Please take pity on us. We hae naething left in the world. We are daughters of a merchant.” She hoped this would help explain their fine clothes. “We were traveling when bandits set upon us. They dragged my father out of the carriage and beat him senseless. They took all of our belongings without any hesitation. They set loose our horses and then they… They killed him. He’s dead. Our father is dead, and we hae naewhere else tae turn.”

Her voice hitched with emotion as she reached this part of her story. Tears filled her eyes and a choking breath rose in her throat. The Laird continued to look at her. He tilted his head from side to side, as though he was trying to peer beyond the tangible world. Caroline allowed her eyelids to drop in a blink. Her halting breath shuddered.

“Ye were set upon by bandits, and ye expect me tae believe they let the three of ye get away? Ye dinnae hae the look of warriors. Why would they let ye leave?”

“I dinnae stop tae ask them,” Caroline bit back in a terse tone, but immediately realized she could not afford to be so free with her tongue. Laird Knox reared back and arched an eyebrow. He took another long sip of wine, smacking his lips together.

“Perhaps they thought the three of ye would be tae much trouble,” he mused, a slanted smile appearing on his face. If he weren’t so terrifying, he might have been handsome, she thought, although it was only a flash.

“They took what they wanted,” Caroline continued. “Cleary, they valued gold and trinkets more than us.”

“Then they are nae very clever bandits,” he murmured, his gaze shifting between Caroline and his sisters.

Panic flared within her heart as soon as this happened. She spoke quickly, wanting his attention focused on her rather than Nessa and Tara.

“Perhaps that is why they are bandits,” she said dryly. “As soon as we were given the chance tae run, we did. We dinnae give much thought tae the direction. We wanted tae get as far away from them as possible, and that led us here.”

“Aye, where ye attempted tae steal from my men.” His tone was neutral rather than accusing.

“We were hungry, tired. We just wanted a morsel. If ye would be sae kind as tae give us shelter for the night, I’m sure we could find some way tae repay ye. And we would never be shy about spreading word of yer kindness in the future.”

At this, Laird Knox laughed. It was a low rumble that started in his gut and then shook over his entire body. He brought his cup to his lips again, but hesitated to drink until he had stopped laughing.

“Dae ye think I want people tae believe I’m kind? Then I would hae all kinds of wastrels coming tae my door, begging me for shelter. This is nae an inn. If ye knew anything about me, ye would know that I dinnae give away anything for free,” his voice lowered to a growl.

“As I said, I’m sure I can repay ye,” Caroline gulped.

She didn’t want to think about what kind of payment he might require. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, bracing herself for these next few moments because they were going to define the rest of her life. She was battling with the odds, however, for it didn’t seem as though Laird Knox had any shred of compassion within his heart.