was a person who knew Ben better than anyone else around.
“I was born here, as were my parents. My ma was a healer and taught me all that she’d learned. When the laird came home with a wife, I knew a child would follow soon. And thank the Lord, I was right.”
“Alasdair is the sweetest boy, and he’s growing and thriving well. Not that I’m much of an expert on children, but he certainly seems content.”
“As he should be.” The old woman stopped before a cottage, one of the smallest along the whole line of cottages, and pushed open the door. A rough wooden floor lay inside. A fire burned in the grate, and a pot of something that smelled like ham and onions, a delicious combination, sat over the fire, cooking.
“You have a lovely home.” The place was filled with herbs and small bottles that sat on most available surfaces, but it was tidy and clean. A single chair sat before the hearth, and a small animal rug was the only luxury Kenzie could see.
“Thank ye, lass. I do love it as it’s mine and no one else’s.” The old woman groaned as she sat, gesturing to Kenzie to join her at the fire. “Tell me, has the laird’s spirits lifted since he returned home? I should call on him, but I haven’t seen him since the night of Aline’s death, and well, I canna help but think the laird is angry at me.”
“Oh no, I’m sure you’re mistaken.” Not that Ben had said anything to her, and Kenzie supposed he could blame the old woman in some way, but surely common sense would prevail, and Ben could see Aline’s death hadn’t been the healer’s fault.
No one could’ve known a tumor was growing in Aline’s uterus. This was the seventeenth century, for crying out loud; they didn’t even have toilet paper.
“You should come up to the castle one day and let go of your worry over the laird not welcoming you back. I’m sure he’s perfectly fine in his heart.”
The older woman’s eyes narrowed as she contemplated Kenzie’s words. “Ye aren’t from Scotland, lass. In fact, I dinna feel yer from England either. You’re a long way away from home, yes?”
Kenzie nodded. “Yes, a long way, but I will be returning home soon.”
“There’s talk in the village that the laird admires ye more than any lass in a very long time. Even Aline, God rest her soul, wasn’t loved as a wife should be. But, as that love was not returned from her either, it matters little.”
“You believe Laird Ross didn’t love his wife?” Curiosity and an absurd hankering to hear someone say that Ben didn’t love Aline, consumed Kenzie. To think that he could care deeply for anyone else, never open his heart again due to the loss of his wife left Kenzie more out of sorts than she liked to admit.
“Nay, not that I was aware. And it was mutual, but alas, unions such as theirs are common enough, and they made the best of the situation. I will tell ye this though, lass, Laird Ross and Lady Aline were very close, and looked out for one another. Mayhap in time they would’ve fallen in love, but alas, ’tis not something we’ll ever know.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Small children ran in front of the cottage windows and reminded Kenzie that she should probably return to the castle before Ben worried about her whereabouts.
She stood. “If I may, I do have a question for you, since we’ve run into each other and I’m in need of a healer.”
“Anything lass. What is it that I can help ye with?”
“I’ve not been feeling very well this last week. I’m not sure if it’s the food, which I’m still getting used to, or because of my monthly courses. If you understand what I mean.”
“Oh, of course, lass.” The older woman waddled over to a shelf beside the fireplace and searched through the many bottled ointments and tonics there. “Ah, here ’tis.” The healer came back to her side, holding out a small bottle. “This is wormwood and is used to settle the stomach. Use it before ye meal, and it should help ye. If not, come back and see me.”
“Thank you, that’s very kind.” Kenzie slid it into her pocket and clasped the lady’s hand. “I hope we meet again.”
“I’m sure we shall, Kenzie.”
She smiled and left, ducking a little so she didn’t knock her head on the small doorframe. She