Chapter 4
"Ye are mad, ye must be," Leah gasped as she stumbled into the door.
Pleasure trickled through Killian's body as he eyed the wee lass.
She was a curious blend of strength and fragility that perked Killian's interest. But perhaps it was her fierce spirit that captivated him the most, even as she trembled at his touch.
"So they say," Killian answered, unrelenting in his pursuit to make her cheeks flush brighter. He delighted in the array of colors that kissed her cheeks with each move he made. A part of him relished the shiver that danced along her spine at his proximity.
"Then ye can understand why I would turn ye away," Leah said as Killian gave her an inch of wiggle room. Just as he predicted, Leah used the inch to fight for her mile. Cleverly wiggling and shifting under his outstretched arm, he watched her slip by him.
"Aye, but I think if ye hear me out, ye might reconsider," Killian said, turning to face her.
"Oh I highly doubt that," Leah answered as she kept one hand over her eyes. Entertained by her antics, Killian leaned against the door and folded his arms over his chest. Frantically waving one hand about to gauge her whereabouts, Leah shuffled along the room defiantly.
"What are ye doin'? And just where is it that ye think ye're goin'? The room is sealed. Tis the only place in the castle, that is. But one way in and out," Killian said, refusing to mask the humor in his tone. "And right now, that would be through me."
Leah dropped her hand from her face. Killian shook his head the moment he noticed her eyes sealed tighter than a tomb.
"I cannae talk to ye like this. Open yer eyes.
If ye're a healer as ye say ye are, then I've got nothin' that ye have nae already seen before.
This act is a bit childish." It was the tone in his voice that snapped her.
She jumped at his order just as he knew she would.
Everyone had the same response to him; why would she be any different?
"Fine," Leah said, keeping her icy blue eyes on the ceiling.
"So ye'll marry me?" Killian said, slapping his leg. "Excellent. And here I thought I'd have to beg and even bribe. This turned out much better for me than I would have hoped."
"Wait just one moment," Leah snapped, her gaze direct and furious. "Ye're twistin' words about when ye ken very well that was nae what I was sayin'."
The smirk returned to Killian's lips as he tilted his head.
The fiery side of Leah entertained, tickled, and intrigued him.
It was as if she could command a room if she would only unleash her true self.
As much as Killian enjoyed the idea of seeing Leah coming into her own, he put aside the fantasies.
"Aye, I ken what ye were sayin'," he answered as he moved to the tub and snatched the silver cross off the table. "And what if I told ye that by helpin' me I would help ye?"
"What makes ye think I'm some damsel in distress?"
"Do I need to remind ye on how ye were presented to me?" Killian asked as he waited to see what expression she'd make next. Would it be fury? Or agitation that flickered through her eyes?
"That is beside the point."
"Nay, that is the point. By all accounts ye were brought to me as a cruel, twisted gift. But now I see that I was wrong about that."
"I'll nae be yer bride," she declared through gritted teeth. Killian's heart quickened as her defiance ignited something feral deep within him.
"There'll be nay weddin'," he countered as he turned to collect the garments he had strewn haphazardly about the chair. "Two months. That is what I am askin'."
"And who do ye think ye are demandin' such things of anyone? Do ye think the world revolves around ye and yer needs? I hate to break it to ye, but that is nae how this world works. I daenae care who ye are," Leah fired. Her words came off like lightning striking between the clouds.
"I did mention that this would benefit ye as well, did I nae?" Killian asked as he glared at Leah as if she should know what to do. The flash of recognition shot through her eyes and she turned her back to him. Killian shook his head, fascinated by how easily she understood him.
"Laird MacMillan, it was a pleasant evenin'. I am sorry that I cannae be of further assistance to ye, but I believe I will be on me way."
"Humor me," Killian called as she reached for the door. "Ye might be surprised at what I can do for ye."
"What could I possible gain from being yer prisoner?" Leah retorted.
"Yer independence, for one," Killian answered. "It's what ye truly desire is it nae?"
"I already have that."
"Do ye? Are ye sure?" Killian asked, his tone blending with sarcasm. "Because what sort of healer cannae heal?"
"I helped yer brother, did I nae?"
"That is yet to be seen," Killian countered. "Ye spouted a few wise words over a dyin' boy. That doesnae make ye the Pope."
"That's nae fair."
"Fair? How is any of this fair? Since when is anythin' fair? Or did ye think that I wouldnae notice the way ye recoiled from the blood of Sean, yet barely batted an eye at the invalid. And how modest ye were with the coin. If ye ken ye were a bonnie healer, ye'd have asked for far more."
Leah's mouth twitched but the truth hung like an old rope bridge about to snap. He could see the tears pooling in her eyes and let out a heavy sigh. He didn't intend to cause her so much duress, but he wasn't about to let the opportunity pass him by.
"Now, if ye give me just two little months," he continued, his tone far softer than before. He realized he'd have to tend to the matter like a new fowl in the wild. "I can ensure that ye'll be well compensated. Enough to set ye on yer own path, whatever that may be."
"Why do ye even need a bride?" Leah asked defiantly, her strength of character stunning Killian. He watched her carefully as he slipped his arms through his shirt and let the towel wrapped around his waist drop to the ground.
Leah turned her head with an audible gasp escaping her lips. Killian couldn’t tell if he was amused by her innocence or confused by it. After all, if she was a healer, she wouldn’t be so bashful around a male body.
Killian's expression turned serious as his thoughts jumped and skipped over his responsibilities. It wasn't just the clan he had to look after, but his brother as well. His sole purpose in life was to ensure his brother was well cared for, even if that meant sacrificing everything he had.
“Why does anyone need to wed? Procreation,” Killian answered with a snicker, half-expecting the shock to return to Leah’s face. She folded her arms over her chest, clearly unamused by him.
“And ye thought, what, exactly? I’d just roll over and let ye do what ye will? Over me dead body.”
“Yer nae the first to say somethin’ along those lines,” Killian said. “And I’m certain, ye’ll nae be the last.”
“Then what is it yer proposin’? And why do ye want me?” "Me council is growin' anxious," Killian finally conceded. "The plan is to have a ceilidh in two months for me to choose a bride."
"Well then, it seems to me that ye've already got this sorted and ye daenae need me," Leah said as she tried to move around Killian to get to the door but failed with each attempt.
"I do," Killian said, grabbing Leah by the shoulders to keep her still. The seriousness of the situation weighed heavily on him. She was, after all, a stranger, dropped at his feet as if she could solve all his problems. Yet, the longer he stared at her, the more he couldn’t help but shake the feeling she had a purpose still.
“Why are ye lookin’ at me like I’m a rabbit and yer a wolf?” Leah asked, pulling Killian up short. He dropped his hands from her shoulders and stepped back from her.
“Because I’m debatin’ on whether or nae I can trust ye,” he answered.
“As me father always said, nae makin’ up yer mind about somethin’ is the answer. Ye’ve got to just let it go and hope for the best,” Leah said as she attempted to maneuver around Killian to get to the door. He sidestepped, blocking her path and making it impossible to get by him.
“Why do I get the impression yer faither never said that?” Killian asked as Leah glanced at him with malice.
“Clever, but still nae convincin’ me to stick around,” Leah said as Killian stood taller. He mulled over his words, choosing them carefully. "I fear me council is conspirin' against me."
Shock flashed across her face, and for a moment, Killian felt a pang of guilt for unburdening so much. He cleared his throat and pushed aside the feelings ebbing and flowing within him.
"How can ye be so certain? And why would that affect ye bein' married?" Leah asked as confusion riddled her face.
Killian pulled in a long, deep breath to steady his nerves. He had already taken a chance on Leah, giving away his fear. But, without her on his side, he wasn't sure what he would do.
"I ken ye have nay reason to believe me. But what if by agreein', ye end up savin' a poor wretched man's life?" Killian asked as he laid on the guilt as thick as he could.
"Ye really believe that ye have people after ye?" Leah asked as she glared at him. There was no masking the suspicion that tainted her expression.
"Aye, and I believe that they'll use the ceilidh to put a bride of their choosin' before me to poison me mind. And that is somethin' I cannae allow."
"Alright," Leah said as she stepped back. "But why two months? Why nae just proclaim it now and I prance around for a week then I leave? Ye could say that I was a swindler and stole yer heart before I left. That will let me leave a free woman."
"Arenae ye the funny one," Killian said sarcastically.
"Live in a fantasy world, do ye? I cannae proclaim ye as me wife now.
Nae after the way ye were presented to me.
The councilmen… Sean, he brought ye as a gift and that is precisely what ye'll be.
Ye'll be here on the behest of me brother.
Ye're a healer after all. And as ye seen already, Mason isnae sufferin' from any mortal wound. "
"I daenae ken," Leah said as Killian watched her mull the plan over as if she were kneading it like bread.
"Yer askin' price for two months," Killian said. "Me coffers are deep and I have the authority to disperse the coin as I see fit. What is yer askin' price?"
"Two months?"
Killian flashed her the biggest most cheesiest smile he could muster as he realized he'd hooked her into his plot. "Just two little months. Sixty days. Fifty-nine nights. What do ye say?"
"I daenae ken," she mumbled as she nibbled on the tip of her finger.
"Freedom and independence. Just two months and ye'll never have to be told what ye can do by a man again. Ye'll be free to set up a home or a little shop and live out the rest of yer days carefree. Just two little months."
"And ye swear there'll be nay weddin'?"
"Nay weddin', nay contract. Ye'll tend to me brother as best as ye can. I'll still have the resident healer comin' by, but I'm sure ye'll nae mind that. And then we'll announce our engagement at the ceilidh. Shortly after, the rat will be smoked out and ye'll be on yer way."
Leah stared at him, her eyes wide. Killian wished he could get into her head and hear what she was thinking. It would be so much easier than dealing with the anticipation of her answer.
"Fine," Leah finally stated. "Two months. Whether yer foes come out of the woodwork or nae, that's all I'm givin' ye."
Killian smiled as he glanced at her extended hand. Impressed with her, he slipped his hand into hers. The deal was struck, and the relief that came over him made it seem like he'd just won the biggest battle of his life.
"That will be more than enough time," Killian said. "And we have much to prepare."