Page 32 of A Laird and a Healer

“Tell her,” Ryan commanded.

The man’s head dropped. He scratched his beard. “I spent it on dice,” he mumbled.

“We hae in our midst a notorious gambler. I trusted him tae be responsible once, but I am nae gaeing tae make that mistake again, and I take it as an insult that he thinks I would,” Ryan said.

“Oh, I would nae dae that M’Laird!” the man cried, but Ryan was largely ignoring it now.

“I even gave him work in the Keep, taking part of his pay until his debt was erased. I dinnae think he can be trusted with his own money. I see tae it that his family gets his fair share of food in return for the time he gives. But if he gets coin, there’s only one place it’s gaeing tae end up, and that’s in the pockets of other people. Is nae that right?”

“Aye, Laird, ye are wise. I’m sorry for troubling ye,” the old man confessed, and made a hasty retreat.

Ryan turned his attention to Caroline, who was forced to admit that she had made an error. Without knowing the full context, she had challenged the Laird, but found that his decision had been wise and just. He clearly had the best interests of his people at heart and as she scanned the room, she noticed how they all looked at him with respect, perhaps something even bordering on love.

She wondered how different things might have been if her name had not been Gilmour. This inherent hatred he had for her clan clouded everything, and made him see her in the worst light possible. Ryan folded his arms across his broad chest and gave her a challenging look, as if to suggest that she should remain quiet. He beckoned the next person forward, and Caroline retreated to Nessa and Tara.

Ryan might have been paranoid, and he might have been vicious, but he cared about his clan and tried his best to make their lives better. He listened to them patiently and offered tempered advice. He did not always give everything they asked for, but it was always enough to help them with their predicaments. He was balanced and fair, and once again she sensed that he was more than he was showing her.

But would she ever benefit from this side of him, or would she always suffer because of her birth name?

Chapter 14

Ryan had found Caroline’s interference earlier in the day rather amusing. He liked that she was so driven and outspoken. They were good qualities that his heir would be well-served to inherit. It was misplaced, of course. Why she doubted his judgment he did not know. Perhaps it was another ill-fated attempt to sow discord within his clan now that he had uncovered her ruse.

Although she did seem vehement in her feelings about her uncle, and the way she reacted when he suggested that she had had something to do with the poisoning of her father would have been difficult to fake. However, he could not trust her yet and needed to keep a careful watch on her.

That night, he went to visit her in her room. She was wearing a beautiful dress that flowed along the shapely curves of her body. The fire illuminated her face, making her appearance even more striking. Attraction stirred within him. He had tried his best to fight it off because the last thing he needed was to become confused.

Taking down the Gilmour Clan needed clarity, and she was his prisoner by opportunity, not his true wife. Yet, his body had other ideas. There was a deep storm brewing that flashed and thundered whenever they were near. The air became intoxicating and he found it hard to concentrate. Every muscle in his body seemed to grow tight, and deep sensations twitched and danced within.

When he was close to her, it was all he could do to keep his hands off her. He had been close enough to breathe in her scent, to see the faint cluster of moles behind her ear, to see the wispy strands of hair brushing her alabaster shoulders. It was enough to drive a man wild, but he was not going to take her by force. That was something a Gilmour man would have done. He wasn’t like that. These weren’t the lessons his father had taught him.

It hurt him that she was a Gilmour. In every other way, she was a fine woman, displaying all manner of desirable qualities in her bearing, appearance, manner, and attitude. And yet, she was the daughter of his mortal enemy, and because of that, her blood would always be tainted.

She rose to meet him in the middle of the room. “I wish to be taken tae yer chamber,” she said.

Ryan was taken aback that she would speak out of turn. He had been used to controlling the rhythm of conversation.

“Ye what?”

“Ye are treating me like a prisoner, nae a wife. I appreciate that ye released my sisters, but I am nae inclined tae lie with ye while I am treated like this. I dinnae even hae a window. Dae ye understand how interminable it is tae be surrounded by dense walls? I want tae feel respected, even if I know ye can never respect a Gilmour.”

“Or a spy,” he growled, watching for a reaction.

Caroline gave him none. She simply turned towards the fire and stared at the flames.

“Ye wanted a wife. Ye hae one. I spoke out of turn taeday, but I wish tae know more about yer clan sae that I can take part in these matters. I was taught well by my Da, of course, about the ways of running a clan. I’m sure I could be of some use tae ye, and perhaps it would gae some way of showing ye that I can be trusted. Because if my Da was killed, then I want tae bring the man responsible tae justice.”

“Even if he is yer blood?”

“If he killed my Da, then he is nae family of mine,” Caroline said.

Ryan regarded her for a few moments. It always impressed him when she stood up to him like this, and he was inclined to grant her request, but mostly because he was growing tired of this room as well.

“Very well,” he said, and then led her out of this chamber.

She joined him in a silent walk to his own chamber. He looked longingly at his bed, and then towards his armchair. This latter object was not comfortable at all, but he wasn’t sure sleeping in the same bed as her was a good idea. He feared his wandering hands might work independently of his conscience and make a liar of him, nor could he take the bed while she rested in the armchair.

Caroline walked into the room and lit more candles, raising the light level. Then, she went to the window and breathed in the air, while surveying the surrounding area.