Chapter 13
Leana is right, at least in part. I suppose I can give her that much, at least.
The chuckle he had been holding back finally slipped past his lips. It was a strange thing, because he usually didn’t laugh much, least of all at the jokes others made at his expense.
Most avoided speaking ill of the Laird, and if they did, they made sure it was somewhere he could not hear them.
But again, the healer seemed to lack all modesty. She spoke her mind openly and confidently, expressing her opinion about him freely.
Under different circumstances, her joke would have made Kenneth uncomfortable.
But after everything that had happened that morning, he was beginning to feel a little lighter.
Especially since his brother was laughing too.
Not only that, but it was clear that he was starting to feel better, if only a little.
And that filled Kenneth with relief. He couldn’t help but admit that Leana, though stubborn and obstinate in her methods, knew exactly what she was doing.
I should stop spyin’ on her. She’s done enough to prove that she kens what she’s doin’.
But of course, he couldn’t help but follow her, like a moth to a flame. Even though it had nothing to do with his brother—although he wouldn’t admit that to himself.
That and the fact that he couldn’t look away from her.
At that moment, Leana’s cheeks flushed red with pent-up anger. Her expression darkened, and her fists were clenched.
Kenneth knew that his presence, and especially his intrusion, had annoyed her. But contrary to what he had expected, that fact amused him even more.
He entered the room while his younger brother was still laughing, and for a moment, he took in the sight—the little boy smiling and happy.
Even though he had only recently started his treatment, Hunter was already looking much better. Anyone could see it. His cheeks had regained some color, his face was not so pale, and his voice was not so hoarse.
“Braither, have ye been spyin’ on us for too long?” he complained.
However, a smile played on his lips, so Kenneth knew that the boy was not angry. Unlike the lass.
“I’m afraid I have. I’ve been listenin’ for a while. Though I only did so because I didnae want to interrupt yer conversation.” Kenneth crossed his arms over his chest and looked at Leana with a twinkle in his eye. “Ye two were obviously havin’ a good time.”
“We understand each other,” Leana said calmly, giving Hunter an affectionate look. The way she referred to them was as different as night and day. “Isnae that right, Hunter?”
“Of course!” Hunter affirmed. “Leana has been the best of all the healers.”
“I see,” Kenneth said, nodding.
He was pleased to see his younger brother in a much better mood.
She is wonderful. And nae just as a healer…
Though it was only a joke between the boy and the lass, Kenneth almost believed that Leana was indeed some sort of magician.
He had never seen his brother like this—so happy and confiding in a stranger.
In fact, the last time he remembered seeing Hunter this happy was when they sailed the sea with the pirates they had lived with for so many years.
Beyond those times of salt and tide, the only time Hunter was truly happy was when Valerie played with him. But Leana seemed to have a healing effect on him.
And even if she would not admit it openly, she seemed to be working some magic on Kenneth himself.
Or perhaps it was just her. Maybe the magic was in her charm and personality. Maybe it was in her confidence and stubbornness.
The urge to challenge her was there, but as Kenneth watched her interact with his brother, he realized for the first time that he really wanted to apologize to the lass. For his behavior and for the way he had treated her from the first moment they met.
It was hard for him to trust strangers, especially when it came to his brother’s health.
Many healers over the years had tried his patience, played on his trust until he lost his temper.
They had promised him the ultimate cure for Hunter’s ailments, but they had always failed.
In some cases, they had even made things worse.
Because of that, Kenneth could not trust easily. He was stubborn and temperamental because he had to be. At times, it was the only way to ensure his brother’s recovery.
But with Leana, the rules of the game had changed.
“I’ll teach ye if ye want to use the bow and arrow. I’ll even do me best to talk,” he offered.
If it had been possible, Leana would have put an arrow through his head. He could tell by the withering look she gave him. Oddly enough, her annoyance amused him.
She didn’t realize it, but she looked beautiful when her cheeks reddened with anger.
“Ye could try practicin’ with me braither. He’ll teach ye well,” Hunter urged, pleased with the idea.
“Maybe, but I’ve had enough lessons with the Laird for now,” Leana said, in that stubborn tone that Kenneth knew so well. Then, she turned in Hunter’s direction and said in a sweet voice, “I’ll be back in an hour or so to check on ye. In the meantime, why daenae ye try to get some sleep?”
“Alright, I will. Thank ye, Miss Healer,” Hunter replied as he closed his eyes.
Leana approached Kenneth, who studied her intently. Her large blue eyes glimmered like sapphires. Her lips were deep rose as ripe strawberries, as were her cheeks.
She is as attractive as she is spirited.
Her face was framed by her thick, dark hair, which escaped from her plait in unruly waves. The neckline of her dress teased the mounds of her breasts, the peaks ripe and turgid.
Watching her closely, Kenneth felt something ignite inside him. He knew the feeling well, for the lass had ignited that spark within him from the first moment their eyes met.
But Leana, it seemed, was unaware of the direction his thoughts were taking. Instead, she jabbed a stubborn finger in his chest. “Is it yer turn,” she declared.
Kenneth raised an eyebrow in curiosity. “Me turn for what?” he asked, following her out of Hunter’s room.
“It is yer turn to be cared for,” Leana continued. “I need to change yer bandages.”
For a moment, Kenneth just looked at her. He remembered how their meeting had ended the day before. The kiss, the yearning… And he wondered if he was ready to feel it again.
The same thoughts must have been running through her mind, for she took a step back and looked at him as if his mere touch burned her. But her expression remained inscrutable.
“I willnae take nay for an answer, Kenneth.”
She only addresses me by me name when we’re alone. Only then does she have the confidence to do so.
“Ye willnae have it,” Kenneth assured her.
Leana nodded. She seemed surprised to have won their little argument.
“Good. Because I’m in nay mood for yer naggin’ and denial.”
“So I see,” Kenneth murmured, still amused by her tantrum.
“Well then, let’s get on with it! I have nay time to waste,” Leana pressed.
She turned away and made her way to the surgery, where she had the necessary supplies to tend to him, leaving him with one question on his mind.
Did she expect this encounter to end like the last one?
“I need ye to take yer shirt off,” Leana instructed.
As soon as she and Kenneth entered the surgery and the door closed behind them, she reminded herself to be professional.
But it’s so hard to keep me composure when it’s just the two of us!
In particular, Leana found it hard to hold a shirtless Kenneth close to her without remembering the dreams that had haunted her since the night before. The firm lips that had kissed her, and the way he had traced her curves with his fingers.
Those images still haunted her, but she knew she couldn’t give in to him. Neither could she show him that she actually wanted him.
Good thing that the anger was still burning inside her, even more so after Kenneth had proven once again that he didn’t trust her methods enough to leave her alone with his brother.
She was beginning to get a little tired of the tug-of-war between the two of them. But Kenneth was stubborn and temperamental, and she simply didn’t know how else to explain to him that he needed to let her do her job and just trust her.
So, she preferred to focus on that thought, on the way he was trying her patience, and not so much on the way he was trying her senses. And it was thanks to her anger that she managed to keep her composure when he, obedient as he rarely was, removed his shirt, while he was still standing.
This time, he stripped from the waist up with his back to her, giving her a view of his rippling muscles. Long and jagged scars marred his back, which was so wide that she could easily doze off on it without him noticing.
Unable to resist, Leana swallowed hard. Her cheeks felt hot, but she could blame it on her anger.
It would serve her well to remember that even though she could hide her feelings and thoughts from Kenneth, she could not hide them from herself.
She could not deny the fact that she desired him. And that desire burned deep in her heart and her stomach, in the most intimate parts of her body—which she had never explored before.
Frustrated and disturbed by the sensation, she moved closer as Kenneth sat down.
“This might hurt a little,” she warned.
Once again, she reveled in being able to stand over him. She loved feeling in control of the situation. That he was, in a way, relinquishing the reins.
And that was only emphasized by Kenneth’s gaze—serene, dignified, and confident. But the silver in his good eye had melted; it glowed with a fire that pulsed deep, deep inside him.
“Do what ye must, lass. I willnae move,” he promised.
Leana took a step forward and gently rested a hand on his warm chest. The tufts of his hair on his pectorals tickled her palm. And yet the sensation sent shivers through her, from head to toe.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself and focus on the procedure. She carefully removed the bandage, relieved to see that the wound was healing properly. It looked good, so just cleaning it and changing the bandage to avoid an infection would be sufficient.
But even though she tried to be careful, Leana could soon tell that she was hurting Kenneth. His hands were clenched into fists, to the point where his knuckles had turned white.
“I’m sorry if I’m hurtin’ ye…” she whispered.
“Daenae worry. Ye’re nae hurtin’ me, lass,” he assured her.
Their eyes met, and Leana forgot his wound for a moment. She found herself getting lost in the powerful allure of his gaze, and she hated herself for it. She hated that he had so much power over her emotions and desires.
If Kenneth noticed anything, he didn’t say a word. So, she just nodded and continued cleaning his wound.
But then he surprised her by asking, “Yer sister… Is she really as good a shot as ye say she is?”
“Aye,” Leana replied in a neutral tone. “Ye willnae find a better archer than Joanna.”
Why this sudden interest in her sisters?
“Ye’re nae thinkin’ of kidnappin’ her, too, are ye?” she asked, feeling a little uneasy.
Joanna was not only an extremely talented young woman but also incredibly beautiful. Ever since she was a little girl, everyone had praised her for her beauty, to the point that Leana and Irene were very protective of her, as men always looked at her with desire.
What if that was also the case with Kenneth? So far, he had seemed immune to female charms, even though Leana had noticed that many of the young maids at the castle were beautiful. But Joanna might be different. He might want to kidnap her because she was a good archer and end up falling for her.
Her heart started pounding in her chest all of a sudden.
Kenneth seemed to read the fear, the warning in her eyes, for he reached up and gently took her hand as if to calm her.
“I am nae after yer sisters, lass. I was only interested in yer services as a healer. And I am more than satisfied with yer performance.”
Leana heaved a sigh of relief, and her heart rate slowed. “I hope so,” she said, her voice hoarse with emotion. “Because I willnae tolerate ye or anyone else layin’ a finger on them.”
“Aye.” Kenneth nodded, not quite letting go of her hand. “Ye have me word, lass. I daenae want to hurt them… or ye. Besides, I understand what it’s like to be protective of yer siblings.”
“I ken,” Leana sighed again.
A brief silence fell between them. A silence that Kenneth quickly broke.
“I’m sorry, lass, for the way I’ve treated ye so far.”
“Ye’re sorry, are ye?” She raised an eyebrow. “I thought ye didnae ken the meaning of that word.”
Her dig was meant to annoy him, but he just gave her a small smile.
“I ken it, though I daenae use it much. But I owe ye an apology.”
“Well, I…” She was suddenly discomfited. The truth was, she hadn’t expected an apology from him. “I guess, in a way, I understand ye. I’m nae justifyin’ yer behavior,” she hastened to add. “But I understand what it’s like to feel concern for a sibling.”
“Aye. When it comes to Hunter, I’d do anything for him. I daenae measure meself when his life or health is at risk.”
“I understand,” Leana said, her voice softer, “because I’d do anything for me sisters, too.”
It was strange to have that kind of complicity with him. Strange to come to an understanding.
An unexpected situation, but a satisfying one.
Her hand still clasped in his, Leana watched him, trying to analyze the situation—to decipher his words and the change in his behavior.
But maybe it wasn’t worth it. Not if she could let go of some of her anger and forgive him.
For she understood that something beyond anger bound them together, and that was their love for their siblings and the knowledge that they would do anything for those they loved.