Chapter 16
“Good. That will have to do for now.”
Turning in front of the mirror so she could see herself from all angles, Leana admired the beautiful dress Valerie had gifted her.
It was sky blue, with flowers intricately embroidered on the sleeves—work she attributed to Brenda, who she had seen embroider scarves all the time while watching Hunter.
The dress was beautiful, to be sure. It was a little short at the ankles, but her travel boots helped to hide that.
It was a shame she didn’t have more appropriate footwear for such an outfit, but what could she do?
She wasn’t a noblewoman, but a village girl.
She wore simple, comfortable dresses that allowed her to travel and move freely, and that was what she was used to.
For that reason, the dress put her in a good mood. She admired the silken sleeves, the shade of blue that seemed to match her eyes. But when she looked at the dress, she also thought of her sisters.
Although she hadn’t told Valerie, Leana had already decided that when she returned home, she would give most of the dresses to Joanna and Irene.
They would appreciate them much more, and they would look more beautiful in them. Especially Irene, whose figure was a bit more like Valerie’s, with those sharp curves and plunging necklines.
For now, Leana would make good use of them. She was grateful for the kindness Valerie and Brenda had shown her. Their gestures, along with Hunter’s recovery, made her feel a little more comfortable in the castle.
Their presence also helped to distract her from the constant presence of Kenneth, who kept haunting her thoughts day and night.
Fortunately, she was on a mission that day, and soon Valerie reminded her when she knocked on the door.
Hurrying out of the room, Leana greeted Valerie, who immediately broke into a grin. “Lord, that color really suits ye!”
Leana’s cheeks flushed at the compliment. “It’s all thanks to ye,” she said with a smile as Valerie linked their arms.
“It is a pleasure to help me new friend.” Valerie winked at her.
The two were on their way to the library that morning because, as Kenneth had promised the night before, Leana could finally write to her sisters.
She gripped the parchment, the tip of her quill hovering as she considered the words. The weight of her sisters' inevitable curiosity pressed against her thoughts—she could already picture their hurried scrawl, their questions tumbling onto the page faster than they could contain them.
A sigh escaped her as she dipped the quill, letting the ink flow in careful strokes.
She needed them to know she was safe, that there was no danger lurking in the shadows of her absence.
The urgency in her hand steadied, her message forming with quiet determination.
Soon, they would read it and understand.
“Ye are in a very good mood today,” Valerie intoned as she gave her a smile.
“That’s because I am,” Leana admitted, smiling back at her.
“And yer good mood, does it have something to do with me cousin?” Valerie asked, a spark of mischief in her eyes.
“It has a lot to do with him,” Leana acknowledged, which only made Valerie’s smile widen. But that smile faded when she added, “I’m so relieved to see Hunter gettin’ better. I feel like I’m gettin’ closer to figurin’ out the cause of his illness.”
“Of course,” Valerie allowed, then went on the attack again. “We’re all so relieved that Hunter is gettin’ better. But I thought yer good mood had something to do with me other cousin…”
“Ah.” Leana rolled her eyes. “Well, he allowed me to write to me sisters, so I guess he has something to do with me good mood,” she claimed, causing Valerie to pout and let out a sigh.
“Look, all I’m sayin’ is that it’s pretty clear that ye two are hidin’ something…”
“Aye. We are hidin’ the tremendous disgust we feel for each other, for Hunter’s sake and the sake of the entire castle.”
Obviously, her words were meant to deceive Valerie. She couldn’t explain that the image of Kenneth, shirtless and with his arms around her waist, was driving her crazy. Nor could she admit that the memory of his kisses was arousing her in a way far removed from modesty.
For it was clear to Leana that there was nothing beyond a fleeting attraction between her and Kenneth, nor could there ever be. True, she could hardly stop thinking about him, but what was the point of believing that it went beyond passion or desire? Nothing.
So, she dropped the subject. Instead, she preferred to ask Valerie about Hunter and how he had spent the night, about the games he played and the things he liked and disliked, trying to find a clue about his illness.
Fortunately, Valerie was cheerful and eager to chat, and it didn’t take long to get her to change the subject. Soon, the two women found themselves talking about the little things and the daily routine of the little boy.
It went on like this until they reached the library. But to Leana’s surprise, the room was not empty.
“Good morning, Miss Healer,” Hunter greeted, running up to her and giving her a big hug.
It caught her off guard, but she hugged him back just as tightly.
“Good morning to ye, me little patient. How are ye feelin’ today?”
“Like a warrior!” he exclaimed with a broad smile that immediately warmed her heart.
Being a healer could be complicated in many ways, and even more so when treating young children with complex illnesses, as was Hunter’s case. But such illnesses were not always curable, which filled her with fear.
Above all, she could not bear to see a child suffer. She was always devoted to making her patients feel better, and that was why she felt so good when she succeeded.
So, seeing Hunter’s recovery made her feel even better, to the point that a huge smile spread across her lips.
However, it soon dropped, for she quickly realized that the boy was not alone. In fact, he was with two other men.
The first one looked rather dour, with blue eyes and a thin reddish beard. Leana had never seen him before, but she assumed was the man-at-arms. The second man was, of course, Kenneth, who was rarely separated from his younger brother.
His silver eye fixed on her, making her feel warm inside. And as memories of their past encounters flashed through her mind, her heart began to race.
“Good morning,” Valerie greeted. “What are ye two doin’ here?”
“We were practicin’ some lessons with Hunter,” Kenneth explained, and Hunter nodded in confirmation. “He’s feelin’ better today, so we decided to make the most of our free time.”
“We were lookin’ for some books about the battles in the Highlands so that Jonas can train me properly,” Hunter added, beaming at Leana.
His presence did not bother the healer. On the contrary, she liked having him around.
“I understand. It’s good to ken ye’re feelin’ better. But please daenae push yerself too hard.”
“I willnae,” Hunter promised as he approached his cousin and Kenneth’s man-at-arms.
It was obvious that Kenneth’s attention was focused on the healer. Obvious not only to her but also to everyone present. Hence she felt slightly uneasy, for she feared that it was not only Valerie who suspected that something was going on between them.
As Valerie and Hunter approached Jonas to look at one of the books, and as they talked about past battles and war heroes, Leana approached Kenneth and whispered so that only he could hear her, “Do ye always keep yer distance?”
For a moment, Kenneth looked at her, slightly confused, but then a reassuring smile tugged at his lips. “It all depends on whether the object of me interest deserves such attention or nae,” he replied in the same confident manner, causing her heart to race slightly.
Leana shifted in her seat slightly uncomfortable, as Hunter and Valerie mimicked her, the blonde taking a seat next to Leana, while Hunter sat across from her, with Jonas next to him.
Fortunately, Kenneth's man at arms was distracted.
It wasn't the same with Valerie and Hunter.
The former in particular was looking at Leana with a broad smile, resting his chin on one of her hands.
It was unlikely, but from the smile on Valerie's face, Leana could have sworn that the blonde had heard what Kenneth had whispered to her in confidence.
Suddenly, Hunter asked, “And ye, why have ye come?”
“Leana wishes to send a letter to her sisters,” Valerie hastened to answer, a certain mischievous gleam in her eyes. “And I think she needs some privacy.”
“Nay, that’s nae necessary—” Leana started to say, but Valerie immediately cut her off.
“Nonsense.” She put her hands on Hunter’s shoulders. “Why daenae we continue yer lesson in the gardens? It’s such a beautiful day.”
“And we can play when we’re done?”
“Sure,” Valerie said, before giving Kenneth a smile. “Cousin, why daenae ye stay and help Leana find what she needs? Then, ye can post her letter. We daenae want to keep her sisters waitin’ any longer.”
“Nay, nay need, really,” Leana insisted, but Valerie waved her off.
“Come on, Hunter,” Jonas encouraged the boy, nudging him toward the door amid a loving, teasing gesture. “The weather is ideal for us to do a little bow practice. Ye've neglected yer lessons for too long.”
“That's because I was sick!” complained Hunter.
“Then we must take advantage of yer improvement,” assured Jonas, with a smile drawn over his lips.
It was obvious to Leana that the man-at-arms was taking Valerie's side, even if Valerie didn't mention it. Plus the blonde's insistence, added to her smile, made it clear.
“Daenae worry. I’m sure me cousin will be happy to help ye.”
With a smile that she seemed to share with Jonas, the three left, Hunter’s laughter indicating how far down the corridor they were.
“Oh dear…” Leana dropped her face in her hands as soon as the door closed, feeling embarrassed. “I think she might have…”
“Understood what we did earlier?” Kenneth was grinning in amusement, not looking the least bit bothered by the situation. “I think everyone did—it doesnae take that long to change a bandage, after all.”
The confidence in his words, and indeed the confidence in his gaze, made her cheeks burn to the point that she thought a fire was raging under her skin.
This man has nay scruples!
Annoyed, Leana glared at him, but her anger didn’t seem to affect him. On the contrary, she would even say it amused him.
“Right. Can I write me letter in peace now?” she asked, feeling like she was about to explode.
“Sure,” he replied, allowing her to make her way to the desk.
She hoped he would leave; it would allow her to get her thoughts in order.
But Kenneth seemed intent on watching her. What was it about a letter that interested him so much?
Of course, she didn’t want to face the obvious—that he was interested in her, not the letter.
Still, she decided to ignore him, knowing that if she paid him too much attention, her priorities would change, and the letter would be the last thing on her mind.
So, she picked up a quill, unfolded a piece of parchment, and began to write.
Dear Joanna and Irene…
Soon, she was lost in a fading memory of the events.
She did not want to worry her sisters, for she knew that if she told them the whole truth, they would come to the castle.
Especially Joanna, who was temperamental and protective by nature, would not hesitate to barge into the castle and demand that Kenneth release her sister.
Thus, Leana told them that she was doing well and that a laird from another town was in urgent need of her services. She would stay with him for a few weeks, but she would keep them informed of the situation and would be back soon.
After adding one last time how much she missed them, Leana signed the letter.
“Thank ye,” Kenneth said suddenly, startling her. She had not realized he had stepped closer to read the letter. “For nae tellin’ them what really happened.”
“I didnae do it for ye,” Leana pointed out, slightly disturbed as she heated the wax to seal the letter. “But for them. They’re very protective of me, and I daenae want them demandin’ to get into the castle tonight.”
“They probably are like ye in that respect,” Kenneth remarked.
Leana nodded. If she knew someone was messing with her sisters, she would move heaven and earth to defend them.
After a moment, Kenneth added, “I thank ye because yer words will prevent incidents. Yer Laird might be angry, considerin’ what happened between us… And I daenae want to start a conflict with him.”
Leana’s lips twitched into a grimace, but she quickly hid it. It was an immediate reaction whenever she thought of him.
“Like I said, I didnae do it for ye. I daenae want any trouble meself. Besides, I daenae support any laird, let alone get involved in his conflicts.”
Kenneth had looked at her intently as she spoke those words. Perhaps he had noticed the tension in her shoulders. But he made no comment. He simply nodded as she stood up.
After smoothing the skirt of her dress, Leana handed him the letter. “Send it as soon as possible, please,” she practically demanded.
“I will, lass,” Kenneth promised.
“Well, thank ye,” Leana replied, turning to leave.
But before she could take a step toward the door, Kenneth grabbed her hand. “That dress…” he trailed off.
Leana looked up at him, slightly embarrassed. “I ken it’s nae me size, but me clothes were dirty, and it’s all I have for now. Valerie gave it to me…”
“I was goin’ to say ye look beautiful,” Kenneth murmured, looking deeply into her eyes.
He reached for her hand. Still holding her gaze, he planted a single, chaste kiss on her knuckles.
Leana’s heart skipped a beat at the simple gesture, so much so that for a moment, she didn’t know what to say.
“T-Thank ye,” she stuttered, staring at him in disbelief.
It was a strange time when Leana Beaton didn’t know what to say, but well, it seemed that the Laird had the ability to steal her words. Or at least that was the case this time.
So, she turned away from him, a little uneasy, a little worried, and felt her heart pounding hard against her ribs. She felt torn inside, for reason told her that the game she and Kenneth were playing had to stop.
But she couldn’t help wanting him or thinking about him. Reason and desire warred within her as she practically ran down the corridor.
And one way or another, Leana knew which would win the war.
She only dreaded the outcome.