Chapter 11 #2
“From what Lord Tair told me about my new position, on matters of medical issues I outrank everyone but him and your brother.” She wanted to punch him so badly she clasped her hands behind her back to stop herself.
“Until she heals I am in charge of Sheona, not you. If you have a problem with that, talk to the laird.”
Walking away from him before he could reply made her break out into a cold sweat; she had to shake this terrible urge to go back and sock him in his smug face.
Whatever made the seneschal such a nasty, misogynistic ass wasn’t her problem.
She had been polite, and everything she’d told him was true.
If he screwed with her patient after this, then she would let the laird deal with him.
Does anyone even know how much that man hates women?
Her next stop was the outdoor laundry where Sheona brought soiled linens and garments to be washed in huge vats of water.
She was surprised to see that the women working there knew how to clean all different types of textiles, often using cold water on the most delicate.
They had even stretched washed woolens on different types of blocking boards to dry.
“I’m head laundress Kena, Healer. How may we serve?” an older woman asked as she looked up from a basin in which she was handwashing something.
Rebecca smiled. “I just treated Sheona for burns on her hands. She won’t be able to come back to work until they heal.” Before she could utter Sgathan’s name she added, “I’ve spoken to Seneschal about this."
“Och, good. He’s been in a mood of late.” Kena frowned. “You said she burned her hands?”
“Yes, in an accident while she was visiting her home in the village,” she said. When the older woman made a disgusted sound, she asked, “If you need someone to replace her, I’ll speak to the laird and see if one of the kitchen maids can help out.”
“’Tisnae that, Healer.” She looked at the other women working near them before she came closer and said in a lower voice, “Sheona’s an orphan from the midlands, and never dwelled in the village.
When she came to the highlands she claimed that all her kin died during the pestilence.
She goes to the village only to meet her swains, and she... collects many.”
No wonder the maid had lied. She’d have to find out the real story behind her injuries, but for now she needed to have someone help her. “Is there any other woman at Gealladh she considers a friend?”
Kena thought for a moment. “Garia, mayhap. She’s a pleasant lass and doesnae hold a grudge. The other maids...” She glanced over her shoulder and then shook her head. “Sheona’s midland ways, they’re strange to us. The lasses here also dinnae care for her sharp tongue and appetite for men.”
Now she had a better handle on why the maid had been so hostile. “I’ll check and see if Garia would be willing to help her while she’s recovering. Thank you, ah, my lady.”
The older woman chuckled. “I’m no lady, Healer. Call me by my name, please.”
“Kena, then. I’m Rebecca.” She grinned. “I’ll speak to Garia, if you don’t mind, so I can explain how to manage Sheona’s dressings. Where can I find her?”
After the laundress told her where the chambermaid worked in the morning she went back into the stronghold and followed the passages that led to the laird’s bed chamber.
Yet when she drew close to the door she saw it was standing partially open, and the sounds coming from inside indicated the occupants were busy having sex.
Since she had no desire to eavesdrop on Lucy and Tair she started to turn around to go back to the infirmary.
“Halley, you scoundrel.” A maid came stalking out of the laird’s chamber, scowling as she shook out her skirts.
“Come back to me, wench,” a deep voice called from inside.
“You hardly let me sleep last night and now you dinnae permit me work for more of the same?” she shrieked at the open doorway. “Do you wish fack me to death?”
“I but adore you,” Halley roared back.
“Good. ’Tis how I shall assure the laird we did no harm by facking on his dining table,” Garia yelled in response.
Rebecca almost laughed out loud. She’d never seen lovers fight like this, and it was completely fascinating to her.
The big man who came out after her had a sheepish rather than an angry expression. “Forgive me, lass. I couldnae report for duty with my tadger in such a state.”
The maid gave him a sharp kick in the shins. “Use your hand next. I’ve work to do.”
Rebecca stepped out of sight around the corner, and then pretended to walk around it for the first time and waved at Garia. “Hi, there. Can I speak to you for a moment, please?”
Halley bowed quickly in her direction and trotted off. The maid hurried over to her, seemingly unaware that her bodice remained unlaced and her full breasts were practically spilling out of it.
“How may I aid you, Healer?” Garia asked.
“Sheona burned her hands pretty badly, and will need some help with bathing and dressing for a few days.” She went around her to tighten her laces and tie them off. “Kena thought you’d be willing to give her some assistance.”
“Och, aye, of course.” Garia’s face turned red as she faced her. “You heard me with Halley, then?”
She nodded. “From the way you were yelling, I think most of the people in this part of the castle did.”
The maid cringed. “Forgive us, Healer. The more we swive, the greater Halley’s need becomes. Only when I cease sharing his bed can he manage better his wonts.”
She thought immediately of Dorchad, and how much she wanted to cling to him every morning before he left. “It’s hard to stop when it’s so good, isn’t it?”
Garia wrinkled her nose. “’Tis grand pleasure, but the lad, he’s almost too much for me. ’Tis his mortal weakness, the need to fack when he’s too near the one he likes.”
“That’s a very interesting weakness.” Rebecca wondered if it could be due to priapism rather than Halley’s dark Fae blood. “Does it become painful for him?”
“I cannae tell you, although even after we’re finished he remains ready to go again.” She sighed. “Mayhap I shall sleep in Sheona’s bed chamber while she’s healing. That should tame my lad’s tireless tadger.”
Dorchad left Cath in the lists to finish drilling the men of the garrison, and went to report to Tair on their readiness.
He expected to find Rebecca keeping the laird’s wife company, but Lucy sat alone studying map scrolls at her husband’s work table while Tair and the war master were having a discussion in low voices on the other side of the room.
“If you’re looking for Dr. McIan, Lochran took her up to show her the infirmary,” she said as she marked something on the parchment. “Rebecca agreed to take over as the clan’s healer.”
He wasn’t surprised to hear that—she’d mentioned wanting to use her knowledge and skills to help their mortal vassals—but the notion that the Night Watch Chief had escorted her didn’t set well with him.
“How may a blind man show my woman anything?” As Lucy glanced up in surprise he added gruffly, “You ken we’re together, aye?”
“Since she’s been sleeping in your bed chamber for a while now I guessed as much,” she said drily. “Why do you have a problem with Lochran? Next to Cath he’s the nicest MacRune on the island.”
“Och, he’s nicer than me, my lady,” the war master called over to her, making the laird snort.
“I’ve no trouble with Night Watch.” Except for the fact that he was alone with Rebecca and might put his hands on her, even accidentally. “Excuse me.”
Dorchad left and headed directly to the infirmary, where he walked in and found his bed wench going through the contents of some small boxes on a lower shelf.
She looked up and gave him a meltingly sweet smile, seemingly all innocence and pure affection.
Had she smiled that way at Lochran? he wondered as he reached back to close the door and drop the bolt bar to secure it.
“Good morning,” she said, not noticing what he’d done.
“Lucy and Tair asked me to replace the clan’s healer, and since I have nothing to do I thought it would be a good way to contribute to the clan.
” She turned around and held up a bunch of dried white flowers.
“Do you know if this is wild garlic or yarrow?”
“I dinnae ken.” He took the dried flowers and tossed them back in the box, looming over her as he pressed her back against the wall beside the shelf. “What did you here with Lochran?”
“He was going to show me the different herbs the previous healer kept here, but Sheona came and I had to treat her for minor burns.” She pressed her palms against his chest. “Why do you ask?”
No female he’d ever encountered had ever regarded him with such desire and affection in her eyes. To be the object of that for Rebecca made him understand for the first time why men would fight to the death for their woman. It also made him burn for her, to master her and possess her.
Dorchad caught her thin wrists and manacled them with his fingers. “Do you favor Night Watch, then?” he asked before he began kissing the side of her neck.