Page 26 of Stealing a Kilted Heart

“Och aye, how long has it been?” asked another, this one older, her hair greying at the temples. “A few months, at least.”

“Dinnae fash,” said Effie. “I’m sure the Yule celebrations will be grand. They will more than make up fer it.”

All Fia wanted was to melt into the shadows, and she could tell Bane wanted the same thing. He was standing right behind her, stiff and silent, and Fia couldn’t help but feel sorry for dragging him along when she could have let him escape this. Still, she was too selfish to let his hand go. He was the only one who could offer her any support, even in his silence.

It wasn’t long before the women’s attention shifted to the two of them. The younger woman, upon noticing Bane better, asked, “Are ye husband an’ wife?”

“Nay!” Fia was quick to say. She didn’t know why everyone assumed that from the moment they saw them. “Nay, he’s me braither.”

The woman’s attitude shifted immediately, even if the effect was barely noticeable. She stood a little straighter, her gaze lingering on Bane, and Fia had to suppress a laugh at the panicked look on his face.

“I’ve heard ye’re both very skilled,” she said. “We ken everythin’ about Miss MacKenzie, but nae one ever talks about ye, Mr. ….?”

“Bane,” Bane gritted out. “Just Bane.”

“Ye ken everythin’ about me?” Fia asked, shocked by the news. In retrospect, she should have known everyone in the castle talked. It was only natural that rumors about her would be spread, whether true or false, and she couldn’t help but wonder what, precisely, they thought they knew. The idea of people talking behind her back left her in a cold sweat. How many times had Callum spoken behind her back? How many of his friends had done the same?

“We ken plenty,” another woman said. She was tall and willowy, with a patrician profile, and though her tone was friendly, there was something about her that left a bitter taste in the back of Fia’s mouth. “When I heard we would get a healer from Duror, ye werenae quite what I imagined. Villagers make excellent servants, but when it comes tae a healer…”

The air around them all seemed to go cold, a chill spreading throughout the group. Most of the women shuffled awkwardly, their gazes falling to the floor, but there were also a few who stared openly, as if waiting to see what would happen. When Fia glanced at Effie, she found her red-faced, a muscle in her jaw ticking as she clenched her teeth.

“I can assure ye Miss MacKenzie is a skilled healer.”

Laird Stuart’s voice cut through the silence and every head in the group turned around to stare at him. Fia hadn’t even noticed his presence by her side. He had materialized next to her, his expression stern as he stared down at the woman, who could only smile placatingly.

“I didnae mean tae offend Miss MacKenzie,” she said with an apologetic tilt of her head. “I merely meant that⁠—”

“I believe Miss MacKenzie is owed an apology, Anne,” the laird insisted, much to Fia’s horror. With wide eyes, she turned to him, shaking her head.

“Nay, nay… ‘tis quite alright!” she, said. It was nothing she hadn’t heard before. That woman wasn’t the first to underestimate her nor would she be the last. “Please, it isnae necessary.”

“I insist,” said Laird Stuart.

He wasn’t even looking at Fia. He was staring resolutely at the woman, his gaze cold, and though at first Fia thought the woman would refuse to apologize, it soon occurred to her she had no choice.

The laird had commanded it.

With a saccharine smile, she turned to Fia, bowing her head ever so slightly. “Fergive me, Miss MacKenzie,” Anne said. “I’m sure yer skills are as Laird Stuart says. I didnae mean tae doubt ye.”

“Miss MacKenzie, allow me tae introduce ye tae some important people,” said Laird Stuart, immediately putting an end to the conversation before Fia could even accept the apology. The woman’s cheeks heated, the skin turning a deep red, but Laird Stuart ignored her entirely. “Ye as well, Mr. Graham.”

Leading them away from the group of women, Laird Stuart walked them through the great hall, putting a great distance between them. It was mostly for their benefit, Fia could tell. She doubted that there was anyone she and Bane had to meet so urgently.

As Laird Stuart whisked them away, Fia and Bane exchanged a glance. It was all they needed to know what the other was thinking, and they were both thinking the same thing.

That man truly cares.