Page 47 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

"Hell, she could've been in the room with you."

"Aye."

"I will see if Finnian has any ideas about how to safeguard you from the witch."

"What do you mean?" Elsea asked.

"He's nay just a physician. He also has the sight."

Elsea had no idea how someone with the sight could protect her from a witch, but none of this made sense.

"Have you eaten?" Brodie asked.

She shook her head. "I was too queasy."

"How do you feel now?"

"Not as bad. Since I had that flash of memory, I recall that 'twas sometime back that my da passed. I still miss him sorely, but I'll be all right, I think. I just wish I could see Ma."

"After we figure this out, I'll have you escorted back home."

She nodded. "I appreciate that."

Brodie studied her for a long moment, and she expected him to ask more questions. Instead, he said, "I'll take you back to your chamber now." He offered his elbow, and she took it. "The corridor is dim." He stated the obvious as they walked along. "I would hate for you to trip and sustain another head injury."

"Indeed."

When they reached her chamber, he opened the door.

"I thank you, m'laird."

"Please... eh... try to eat some," he said. "You must keep up your strength."

"Very well." She curtsied, closed the door, then paced to the window to stare out into the gale storm. She shivered when she thought of what Brodie had told her about the witch.

Elsea checked the latch to make sure it was secure, but the fierce wind whistled through the narrow crack between the two panes. Could the witch transform into an insect and squeeze through?

Chapter 9

Brodie strode away from Elsea's chamber, wanting to kick his own arse. Or rake himself over the coals.

He'd almost asked her to please call him Brodie instead of m'laird. Hell. Had he lost all rational sense?

Besides that, he'd considered asking her if she remembered cutting the selkie females loose and freeing them on the birlinn. If she didn't remember, he would need to explain what selkies were. He needed to avoid that conversation right now. Recalling that her father had died was enough for her to worry over now. She had near rent his heart in two when she'd wept over him. And he understood it, for he'd lost his beloved father, too.

But he could not develop sympathy for her, damn it.

What concerned him in equal measure to the abducted selkies was Wilona MacRae's sudden appearance. She must have been spying on him if she knew Elsea was here.

Brodie proceeded to Finnian's workroom, knocked and waited for him to open the door.

"Come in." The physician motioned him toward the settles near the hearth, then closed the door.

"Lady Elsea had a nightmare a little while ago about Wilona MacRae. Said her life would be forfeit if she did nay leave here."

The old man's bushy white brows lowered. "Indeed? Is the lass talking?"

"Aye, her voice returned after the nightmare."