A Healer for the Obsessed Highlander (Healing Highland Lairds #1)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

“Marcus Reid!” Marcus barely had time to glance up before Ian stormed in, his face a mask of fury. Ian’s voice boomed, his tone sharp enough to cut through stone. “What in God’s name have ye gone and done now?”

Marcus arched a dark brow, his expression unreadable as he set the parchment down with deliberate care.

The crackling fire in the hearth cast flickering shadows across the walls of Marcus’s study.

Stacks of parchment littered his desk, the weight of responsibility evident in the furrow of his brow as he scanned the reports.

“Ian, ye’ll mind yer tone when ye’re speakin’ to me,” he said evenly, the authority in his voice unmistakable. “I’m the laird of this clan, and nae even ye have the right to barge in here like this, even as me cousin. Sit yerself down and speak sense.”

Ian ignored the chair Marcus gestured to, instead pacing the room like a caged wolf. “Sense? Sense?” he repeated, his voice rising. “I’ll tell ye what makes nae sense! The attacks, Marcus. The bloody secret attacks on the McArthurs. What in hell are ye thinkin’?!”

Marcus leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes narrowing as he regarded his cousin. “Attacks? Ye’ll need to be clearer, Ian, because I’ve ordered nae such thing.”

Ian spun to face him, his face flushed with anger and disbelief. “Daenae take me for a dobber, Marcus!” he spat. Marcus straightened, his expression turning steely.

“I expect ye to remember who ye’re speakin’ to,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “I am yer laird, aye, but I’m also yer kin. If there were such plans, ye’d ken of them. I’ve nae ordered any such attacks.”

The fire in the hearth crackled, casting wavering shadows over Marcus's dark expression as he stared at Ian. His sharp gaze never left Ian, though his cousin seemed unfazed by the laird's temper.

Ian produced a tightly rolled parchment from the folds of his coat, thrusting it toward Marcus with an accusing look. “Then explain this,” Ian barked, his words heavy with challenge. Marcus snatched the parchment and unrolled it, his dark brows furrowing as he scanned the jagged scrawl.

Ian crossed his arms, his frustration palpable. “It says Holden Village’s been attacked by McArthur men. They left a message, Marcus. A bloody message saying this is vengeance for yer supposed attacks on them!”

Marcus slammed the parchment onto his desk, rising abruptly from his chair with such force that it scraped loudly against the floorboards. His broad chest heaved as his rage simmered to the surface.

“Vengeance for what?!” he bellowed, his voice echoing off the stone walls. “I’ve ordered nae such thing. I want peace for this clan, Ian. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.” His brown eyes darkened, and he glared at his cousin, fists clenched at his sides.

Ian’s gray eyebrows knitted together in suspicion as he stepped closer, lowering his voice but keeping the bite in his tone. “If ye’ve done this thing, Marcus, ye’d best tell me now. We cannae face what’s comin’ if there’s mistrust between us.”

The accusation, though softly spoken, hung heavily in the air like the weight of storm clouds. Marcus’ face reddened, his scar seeming more pronounced in the firelight as anger surged through him.

“Ye dare question me word?” Marcus snarled, stepping closer to Ian until their faces were mere inches apart.

“I swear on the honor of Clan MacLennan that I’ve done nae such thing!

” His voice cracked with fury, and he jabbed a finger into Ian’s chest. “And I’ll nae have me own kin doubting me loyalty to this clan.

The very notion offends me, Ian, and ye should know better. ”

Ian held his ground, his jaw tight, though his resolve seemed to waver under the Laird’s fiery gaze. Before either man could speak further, the door burst open with a thud, startling them both. Eli stepped into the room, his eyes scanning the scene with sharp alertness.

“What’s all this, then?” he demanded, his Gaelic brogue thick and his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “I heard raised voices, and I’m nae the only one who did.”

Marcus shot Eli a glare, his temper still running high.

“This is nae yer concern, Eli,” he growled though there was no true malice in his tone.

Eli, undeterred, stepped further into the room, his protective nature evident in his tense stance. “When Me Laird’s shoutin’ loud enough to shake the walls, it becomes me concern,” Eli retorted, his gaze flicking between Marcus and Ian. “Are ye two goin’ to tear each other apart?”

Ian stepped back slightly, rubbing a hand over his face as if to collect himself. “It’s nae what ye think, Eli,” he muttered though his voice lacked its usual confidence. “This is a matter of clan business, and it’s serious.” Eli raised an eyebrow, glancing at Marcus for an explanation.

Marcus sighed heavily, his fury simmering down into frustration.

“There have been accusations, Eli,” Marcus explained, his tone still sharp but more measured.

“No need to be up in arms,” Marcus muttered, his voice still gruff as he rubbed a hand over his jaw, still irritated by the confrontation with Ian.

“It’s just me own cousin doubting me abilities to lead this clan. It’s nothin’ more than that.”

He leaned against the doorframe, eyes flashing with frustration as he watched Ian pace in agitation. “He comes in here accusin’ me of secret attacks then questions whether I have the council’s backing. It’s enough to drive a man mad.”

Eli stepped closer, his brow furrowed. “Ian, Marcus wouldnae do anything to harm the clan,” he said, his voice low but firm, trying to keep the situation from escalating.

His eyes darted from Ian to Marcus, noting the tension thick between them.

Marcus’ jaw tightened, and he pushed off from the doorframe with a force that made the floorboards creak.

“It’s a great wound to me, Eli,” he spat, taking a step toward Ian, his voice a low growl, “for him to think I’d go about this on me own.

Without consulting the council? Betraying his trust?

I’d never betray them like that, and I’ll nae have him questioning me. ”

His body tensed, his fists clenching at his sides as if ready for another round of confrontation.

Before the situation could escalate further, Eli moved quickly, stepping between the two men, a hand on Marcus’ chest to hold him back.

“Easy now, both of ye,” Eli said, his tone surprisingly calm but his gaze sharp.

“Nay need for bloodshed over words. I’ll take care of Ian, aye?

” He glanced back at Ian, who was still pacing and muttering under his breath. “Let’s nae make this worse.”

Marcus gritted his teeth, his gaze not leaving Ian’s angry face.

“Fine,” he growled, but his posture remained tense, his voice still simmering with anger.

“Ian, have ye shown this report to anyone else?” he demanded, his voice hard and direct.

Ian paused, his brow furrowing slightly, before shaking his head.

“Nay, I came to ye first, cousin,” Ian answered, his tone sharp but laced with unease.

“I thought ye’d give me some answers. But what do ye expect me to think when a report like this comes out of nowhere?

” His eyes flashed with frustration, but there was a flicker of doubt beneath his stern exterior.

Marcus clenched his fists at his sides, his gaze narrowing.

“Then ye’ll take this report straight to the council, Ian,” he commanded.

“And Eli here will escort ye. I’ll nae have me name dragged through the mud with accusations like this.

Someone is framin’ me, and I’m not standin’ for it.

” He gave a sharp nod, making it clear that the matter was to be resolved quickly.

Ian hesitated for a moment, giving Marcus a look that mixed suspicion with reluctant agreement. “Aye, I’ll take it to them,” Ian said quietly, his voice heavy with doubt. He turned to leave, but Marcus’ next words froze him in place.

“I’ll show ye to nae doubt me, ever,” Marcus vowed.

Marcus stormed toward the door, Eli following closely behind. “Where are ye goin’, Marcus?” Eli asked, his voice tight with concern.

“I’m goin’ to get some answers,” Marcus replied, his tone grim and unwavering as he pushed open the door and stepped out into the corridor. “I’ll nae sit idly by and let someone play their games behind me back. The truth will come to light, one way or another.”