Highland Escape - Cathy MacRae Page 0,24
method of healing from the East called bian shi. I am trained in the healing arts of the East, as well as those of my mother’s clan.”
Nessa watched with trepidation as Anna continued. With a sigh, Anna gingerly reclined into the chair and sat perfectly still.
“Does it not hurt?” Nessa asked anxiously.
“No, it feels like something between a slight ache and a tingle.”
Nessa continued to frown, so Anna gave her a simple explanation of internal energy, and their pathways in the body. Though she still wore a stricken look, Nessa seemed somewhat pacified, or at least convinced it didn’t inflict more pain.
Anna must have dozed, for the next thing she knew a gentle nudge woke her.
“’Tis time to sup.”
Anna removed the needles beneath Nessa’s fascinated gaze and replaced them in their cloth, lacing the leather roll.
Nessa waved a hand at the needles. “Did they help?”
“Yes, a bit. It will take a few days, but ’twill help.”
Anna followed Nessa out the door. She hadn’t resolved Nessa’s earlier words. Treated as the laird’s own daughter? Her head still ached, and she couldn’t think as clearly as she wished despite the tea and bian shi treatment. She tried to process the implications of such a declaration, if indeed it had truly been made.
As she wool-gathered, Nessa grabbed her hand. “I always wanted a sister. Having only an older brother to talk to is boring. I wish ye to take Da’s offer.” She gazed at Anna, hope brightening her eyes. Anna put an arm around Nessa’s waist, drawing her close.
“I only had an older brother also. I know what a bother they can be.” Anna involuntarily sucked in a breath, feeling sorrow burn her eyes and threaten to spill over. She stopped momentarily and grasped the wall as the image of Edrick being dragged from his saddle haunted her. Closing her eyes, she pushed back the tears.
“Please forgive me,” Nessa said. “I forgot ye recently lost yer brother. ’Twas unthinking of me.”
Nessa’s stricken look touched Anna’s heart and she offered a weak smile of reassurance. “No, ’tis all right. Give it no further thought. Having a younger sister would be nice. Though I doubt we will be sharing clothes. “
Nessa glanced sideways at her and giggled. The dress she had loaned Anna fell a few inches too short. They followed the stone corridor, passing doors along the way until arriving at the stairs. Anna kept a firm grip on the rope railing along the wall as she descended, unsteady as a drunkard.
They reached the lower level. A doorway opened into the same well-appointed dining chamber Anna had entered the night before. Immediately vigilant, she scanned the room. The only occupants were the laird, his son, and an older woman who immediately rose and walked briskly to greet them, a welcoming smile on her face. She shared many features with Nessa, including long flaxen hair, though hers bore a few streaks of silver nestled amongst the gold. There was no sign of any guards.
“Lady Anna, I am Nessa’s mother, Mairi. My husband and son told me how ye rescued our Nessa. We cannae thank ye enough for what ye have done for us.” She gently embraced Anna and kissed her uninjured cheek.
“You are welcome, my lady,” Anna muttered, uncertain how to respond to her affectionate display.
Nessa held one of Anna’s hands. Mairi took the other and led her to the table. Standing directly across from Duncan, she faced him for the first time. He stiffened visibly, anger washing over his visage.
He tore his gaze away and rose abruptly. “Father, Mother, I ask ye to excuse me from the table.”
His father sighed wearily. “Verra well.”
Duncan stormed from the room without a second glance at Anna, slamming the door behind him. Everyone seemed embarrassed and the lingering silence created an uncomfortable mood.
Anna lifted her chin. “Forgive me, Laird, if my appearance is so hideous as to ruin your son’s appetite. Mayhap I should retire upstairs.”
At this, the three of them laughed lightly, and the laird bade her sit between his wife and daughter.
“Lady Anna, I again ask yer pardon.” The laird’s face softened. “Ye must understand. ’Tis my responsibility to keep our clan safe. For ye to appear from the shadows of the forest, dressed the way ye were, possessing the skills ye do, an English lass—I had to know by aiding ye, we werenae bringing yer troubles to our lands. Ye did much the same by not going to yer grandda. Aye?”
She considered his words then