A Healer for the Highlander

by TERRI BRISBIN

  She left Colm there with a word about clearing the table and followed Davidh outside. Though her strides were shorter, she caught up to him before he’d gone far.

  ‘I want you to know I will do everything I can to help him, Davidh.’ She touched his arm. ‘I will be here.’

  He glanced at that connection between them and then at her face. ‘I am glad.’

  For a moment, the sounds of the village, its people and daily activities faded into a silent blur around them. All Anna could hear was the sound of her heart pounding in her chest. It took only that short time to realise how deeply in trouble she truly was.

  She released him and watched as he covered the ground quickly, his long strides taking one for what would be every two of hers. Not until he turned the corner and walked out of sight did she turn away.

  When had she decided to become involved with the boy’s fate? When had she allowed anyone to impede with her true aim? She glanced back to where he’d stood and shook her head. It was worse than that for, would he want her to stay and care for his son when he discovered her deception and her real purpose here?

  Iain would jeopardise the safety and peace Davidh fought to establish and preserve. Iain’s existence could throw the clan into upheaval and threaten everyone. A small voice within her whispered doubt to her. It whispered about possibilities. It whispered about...love.

  Anna clenched her fists, pressing her nails into the fleshy part of her palms until they left marks. Nay. Nay. She could not allow any distractions. She could care for the boy now and get him as strong as she could before the truth was revealed. Before her lies were known to Davidh.

  Well, she could not stand here in the middle of the path all day. Anna would face the challenges when she must. For now, she had many chores to finish this morning. She lifted her head and took a step towards the commander’s house when Lilias stepped in front of her.

  Other than an angry glare, the woman spoke not a word. Anna stepped around her and walked to the door. She waited to hear the whispered insults as she pushed it open and stepped inside. Peering out through the crack as she closed it those final inches, she watched as Lilias nodded at her.

  One more concern to add to her growing tally. Colm called to her and the angry woman was lost to other more pressing concerns.

  Chapter Eighteen

  It would seem that some ill winds had blown through the village of Achnacarry that day. The broken bone at the stables was only the first of many such injuries, illnesses and other maladies that Anna faced through the days after. Running hither and yon, from one end of the village and back up to the keep, she began to suspect that the old gods were angry with the Clan Cameron.

  When the last two injured in the village—one by a spill from a boiling pot and the other in a fall—refused her help, Anna wondered if there was something more going on than just everyday wounds and ailments. It did not help when she noticed Lilias lingering outside the door of the two who’d refused her. Anna did the only thing she could—she gave what instructions they would hear and left.

  Supper that evening was a quiet meal with little chatter, either from the lads or from Davidh. The revelation of his son’s true condition had shaken him and she watched as he struggled to find some balance between the need to remain with Colm and coddle him and the knowledge that he had no control over the progression of his illness. For a man accustomed to being in charge, Anna could see the toll it took on him as a man and a father.

  * * *

  The next morn, though everyone went about their duties as was their custom, Anna could feel something was not right. It took a few days for her to realise that Iain had not slept up at the keep since the morn he’d found Davidh in her chamber. There were other glances and glares, but Anna tried to convince herself it would all settle.

  It did not.

  Whispers followed her as she made her way through the village. Oh, she’d heard the names and words used in those furtive insults, for they had been used against her mother and other women who had dared upset the way things were done in a place.

  The line of those waiting for her attentions had far fewer people in it than even two days before. Though a few women in the village seemed to grow more suspicious of her, the number of men seeking her out increased with each passing day. She wanted no company of that sort and she turned them down, but each day another unmarried, widowed or lonely man requested that she visit or share supper or walk with him.

  There were three places where her welcome did not change—Davidh’s house, Suisan’s cottage and the keep. It would seem that those injured or ailing within the laird and lady’s household had no hesitation in seeking her help.

  The one man she wished would seek her out seemed to grow more distant. The only smiles on his face were sad ones when he thought no one was looking as he watched Colm. Was this how he’d been before she arrived here in Achnacarry?

  Over the next days, he did not kiss her or even try to, whether they were alone or passing in some secluded spot. That last kiss remained in her thoughts and she both feared and wondered on its true meaning. However, she blamed him not for the quietness that now controlled him nor the lack of passion. She could not imagine how she would be if her son faced such a dangerous future. Anna wished she could change things. With every sad glance between father and son, she was forced to recognise her own limitations and that she had not the knowledge or experience to make a true difference.

  Worse, Anna also had to face her own growing desire to stay here with him. To be with him. Yet, when her son’s true parentage was known and her deception was exposed, there would be no chance of that.

  It took several days to pull him from his desolation over Colm. And even then, it was one of the lads who made it all so clear.

  * * *

  ‘Here now! Here now!’

  Lachlan’s loud shouting could be heard from the stables to the training yard where Davidh stood. He ignored it the first time he heard the man call out. And the second. The third time happened at the same moment that some raucous yelling also spilled out of the stable. It took only a moment or two for Davidh and Parlan, there at his side, to realise there was trouble.

  By the time they got to the back of the stables where the work was being done, it was almost over. Two young men lay in the dirt with Lachlan standing between them. As they climbed to their feet and wiped the dust from their eyes, Davidh was surprised to see that Iain was one of them.

  ‘I told ye that there will be no more of that!’ Lachlan yelled the words loud enough that Davidh did not doubt that the laird, closed up in his chambers, heard. ‘Ye are here to work. If ye canna or dinna work, ye are no’ good to me!’

  Davidh did not interfere. He and Parlan stood silently watching as the old man handled this situation. It was not unusual for young men to fight among themselves, but Iain being one of them shocked him. Both lads had bloodied noses and Iain’s lip was split while Martyn’s chin was cut. None of the damage looked serious and Davidh himself had suffered far more in his younger days. He and Parlan and Malcolm got into such trouble and fought anyone who looked askew at them. He kept his expression serious as Lachlan continued.

  ‘Do ye go back to work then?’ Lachlan’s voice lowered a bit, but the anger was still clear in it. ‘Iain? Martyn?’ He poked each one in the shoulder until they both assented. ‘Go clean yerselves and get ye back to yer tasks!’

  Soon, the excitement was gone and work went on as planned. Lachlan watched, and glared at, his charges for a short time before walking over to speak with him and Parlan.

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘The lad, Iain, took offence over some words.’

  ‘So he raised his fists first?’ Parlan asked before Davidh could.

  ‘Aye, but Martyn had taunted him and pushed him away when the lad walked up to him about it.’

  Parlan looked at Davidh thr
ough narrowed eyes, waiting for his response. His friend let out a growl and mumbled to the sky before letting out a loud breath.

  ‘Fine! I will ask. What was the insult over?’

  Lachlan stared at Davidh instead of saying a word. As Parlan did now.

  The sinking feeling in Davidh’s gut told him he knew the truth of it. For, in spite of Parlan’s insistence that Davidh did not know women, he had seen and heard about the approaches to Anna by men of the keep and the village. He’d heard about the insults uttered to her and the change in the way the villagers treated her.

  It was in the purview of his position to know what happened throughout their lands and clan and this one woman could not escape his notice. Nor that of his men in his command who watched when and where he could not. Ever since the attack, Davidh had assigned men to keep watch over Anna.

  Though the awareness that her arrival and the increased visibility of the outlaws on Cameron lands seemed to coincide, he’d been suspicious for barely a moment after meeting her. Since that first day, she’d been what she’d appeared to be. A healer looking for a place to live and a mother seeking to reunite her son with his father’s people. Her compassion and assistance and efforts for so many here in Achnacarry had convinced him of her aims.

  However, she was also a woman. An attractive, young widow and with her quick wit and soft smiles was a target for petty jealousies and uninvited attentions. When that woman’s mother had been rumoured to be a witch, even more dangerous innuendos could arise. As he glared back at Parlan and then turned to face Lachlan, Davidh comprehended that those elements were behind this outbreak of anger between these two young men.

  And so was his own behaviour.

  ‘Just so,’ Lachlan said with a nod of his head. The admission must be clear on Davidh’s face. ‘’Twas no’ the first insult.’

  ‘Nor will it be the last.’ Parlan finished the man’s sentiment.

  Davidh crossed his arms over his chest. ‘And what do you both suggest be done about this?’ Lachlan and Parlan exchanged glances before staring at him as though he’d grown two more heads. ‘’Tis clear to me that you have opinions on the matter.’

  ‘I think there are a few ways to handle the situation that caused...’ Parlan nodded his head towards the lads now working in the stables.

  Lachlan, for his part, took his leave with a promise to inform Davidh of further problems and walked away as fast as he could without making his old body run. Davidh had the feeling that he would like to do that, as well. He could not, for he knew well that this situation and a big part of what was going on throughout the village was not only his responsibility, but also his fault. Turning back to Parlan, he waited to hear the choices he already knew.

  ‘You can ask Anna and her son to move here to the keep. The stillroom is almost ready and you ken that Robert, and especially Elizabeth, would welcome her presence.’ Parlan waited for his acknowledgement. Davidh thought his friend was enjoying this too much and set a time in his mind when his friend would face his comeuppance. He nodded.

  ‘You could move her to one of the other cottages in the village.’ Parlan glanced towards the gate, over Davidh’s shoulder. ‘That will cause nearly the same difficulties as you have now. You will be seen frequenting her cottage for all assorted reasons, good ones for certain, and so the rumours will continue to fly and hostilities will build.’

  Davidh startled at his friend’s observant assessment. Parlan shrugged and crossed his arms over his chest, mirroring David’s own stance as he waited for Parlan’s final choice. He prepared himself for the painful onslaught of other memories and loss at the word or very thought of...

  ‘Or you could make it impossible for any to threaten her by marrying her.’

  Images of Anna’s face—in pleasure, in danger, in caring, in his house—filled his thoughts. Not the memories he’d expected to flood him. And with her face came the knowledge that somewhere along the way since they’d first met, Davidh had begun to fall in love with her.

  How it had happened, he knew not. When exactly it had started, he did.

  It was the moment when he’d surprised her in her cottage above the falls. When she turned and looked at him, with her green eyes flashing and her face smudged with dirt. Then, at every turn when she showed another part of herself to him, his path had been set.

  The biggest shock to him as he thought about those moments was that he did not feel the pain of guilt that had assailed him before. Any desire he’d ever had for a woman since Mara’s death had simply been reduced to raw physical need. He’d never wanted more than that.

  Now, he wanted more. He wanted Anna in his life, in their life, and the fact that this was happening now was not a bad thing. Looking at Parlan’s gloating expression, Davidh did not wish to give his friend the satisfaction that he had noticed something even those weeks ago. So, he shrugged, much as Parlan had, and gave him as little a reaction as he could.

  ‘So, ’twould seem that my solution does not surprise you?’

  ‘I think ’twould be the honourable thing to do.’

  ‘Honourable!’ Parlan laughed so loud it caught the interest of those passing them in the yard. Davidh grabbed him and pulled him along as he walked to the keep. ‘You want the widow Mackenzie, ’tis plain to anyone who sees you together. Davidh,’ Parlan said as he stopped and faced him, ‘’tis no shame in this. You were a faithful husband to...’

  ‘Parlan. There is no need to bring up Mara.’

  Just then, Iain walked across near them, carrying some supplies over to the stables. Parlan stopped and stared, tilting his head as he watched the boy.

  ‘Does he ken who his father is? Have you asked him or his mother?’

  ‘I have not spoken of the matter. Anna has not mentioned it more than to say he was a Cameron.’

  ‘Was?’

  ‘Aye. Was.’ Davidh glanced at Parlan. ‘I think he was someone lost in the battles between the Mackintoshes and our clan.’

  ‘I would ask her plainly before you marry. Before you do the honourable thing for her.’

  Davidh threw Parlan a glance and made a gesture that told his friend just how much Davidh thought of his comment. ‘Well, before that happens I must speak to Robert and gain his blessing. Then I will speak to the lad.’

  ‘To Iain?’

  ‘He was old enough to take a beating for his mother’s honour, so he is old enough to be told of my plans.’

  ‘Will she accept your offer?’ Parlan asked.

  ‘What man truly kens the mind of a woman?’ he asked.

  ‘Only a madman claims to, my friend. Only a madman.’

  Chapter Nineteen

  The soft knock on the door irritated her. If it was the first time someone interrupted her work there in the stillroom, Anna would not have minded. Maybe even the third or fourth. But this was...she’d lost count of how many times someone, usually a man, had knocked this morning. Tempted to ignore it, her conscience got the better of her, for it could be someone in need and she did not wish to disregard those who needed her care.

  She wiped her hands on her apron as she walked to the door and took a breath. Lifting the latch, she gathered her patience to deal with whichever Cameron man stood there, hoping to help, walk out with, sup with or tup her.

  ‘Lady Elizabeth!’ Anna sank into a curtsy at the sight of her there. ‘I did not mean to keep you waiting in the corridor. Come in, I pray you.’ Anna swung the door open and stepped back so the lady could enter. ‘What have you need of this morn?’

  ‘You have worked wonders here, Anna.’ The lady looked around the chamber and nodded. ‘I have not ventured down here since you began. I could not imagine this—’ she waved her hand at the room ‘—from the mess it had become.’

  ‘I am not finished, my lady,’ Anna said. ‘But some of this needs a more experienced person to determine its importance. I
have stored some away until one of the brothers you mentioned might arrive.’ Anna pointed to the shelves beneath some of the tables around the chamber where she’d placed some of the jars and bottles and pots she could not identify. ‘Will the brothers speak to me about such matters?’

  One of the things that skilled wise women often encountered was the resistance and ignorance of some clergy. Her mother had spoken of such things and warned her to pay heed to any who had that attitude. If the lady insisted on bringing a clergyman here as she’d said, there would be little or nothing Anna could do about it.

  ‘My husband and previous Cameron chieftains have been very generous to the monastery at the edge of our lands. I doubt anyone sent by the abbot would risk Robert’s displeasure by insulting someone here.’ Anna smiled and hoped that would be the way of things, but she’d witnessed other outcomes.

  ‘Do you have need of something, my lady?’ Anna asked. ‘A potion for megrims? A poultice for some ache?’

  ‘Nay, nothing of the sort,’ Lady Elizabeth said. The lady turned and eased the door to the chamber closed. When the latch dropped, the lady faced her. ‘I wish to speak on a personal matter, if you would?’

  Anna pulled one of the stools over and offered it to the lady. After she was seated, Anna waited at the lady’s convenience for her to broach whatever was the purpose of her visit. It did not take long and it was not a surprise.

  ‘My maid’s sister in the village told her there are some rumours making their way around about you, Anna. I have never believed that we should give gossip power over us, but it seems to do that.’

  ‘Aye, my lady.’

  ‘You know the rumours? Have you been mistreated then?’

  ‘Mistreated?’

  ‘Clara’s sister overheard some whispers about you...and Davidh. Has he taken advantage of you in any way, Anna? I would ken the truth of it.’

  Anna knew her mouth hung open and she simply could not find words to make it close. Davidh mistreating her?

  ‘Nay, my lady! The commander has not done anything but given me a place to live in his house and seen to my son’s placement with Lachlan here as we’d agreed.’ She did not reveal the heated encounters or the night they’d spent in each other’s arms. The lady’s astute gaze must have seen the blush that Anna could feel rise in her cheeks.