Highlander of My Heart (Mcardle Sisters of Courage 1)

“Good since I have a question for you. Do you know of anyone who could tell me the contents of this godawful brew?” Sorrell asked, holding out the tankard in her hand.

“The healer makes it and brings it to Lord Finn.”

“Is there anyone other than the healer who might be of help to me?”

Blodwen stepped closer and lowered her voice. “The woman in the woods would know. There are some who prefer to seek her skills rather than Wilda, the clan healer.”

“Will you take me to her?” Sorrell asked.

“Aye, if you want, my lady, but you should know that most think the woman in the woods a witch.”

Chapter 22

“For the third time, no, you cannot go into the woods to see this woman,” Ruddock said, looking over a map in front of him on the large desk in his father’s solar.

Erland stood beside him, paying her no mind.

Sorrell planted her hands on her hips, better there then around her husband’s neck since she felt like strangling him. Not that she ever would, of course, frustration causing the thought. Besides, her hands would never fit around his thick neck.

“You do realize I asked you out of curtesy. I intend to go whether you grant me permission or not.”

Ruddock leaned back in the large chair and grinned. “I am more than familiar with your willfulness, wife, which is why I have assigned two warriors to follow you wherever you go outside this keep.”

Sorrell burst out laughing, causing Erland to stare at her in shock and her husband to shake his head.

“You truly believe I can’t outsmart two of your warriors?”

Ruddock’s smile vanished and he stood and planted his hands on the desk in front of him and glared at his wife in warning. “You better not even try to outsmart them.”

Sorrell walked over to him and slapped her small hands down on the desk in front of his hands and brought her face close to his. “Then let them escort me into the woods to see this healer or I go without them.”

“She is no healer. She a witch, my lord, an evil witch,” Erland said. “You mustn’t let her go there.”

“Leave us, Erland,” Ruddock ordered.

“I meant no disrespect, my lord,” Erland apologized and made no move to take his leave.

“And none was taken, now leave,” Ruddock ordered sharply and Erland bobbed his head and scurried out of the room.

Ruddock walked around the desk to stand in front of his wife. “The only reason I stop you is because of the attempt on your life. Until I can learn more, I prefer you remain in the confines of the castle’s walls.”

“Then send a troop of warriors with me,” Sorrell suggested.

“Why is it so important for you to see this woman?” he asked and his eyes suddenly turned wide. “Are you ill?” He reached out, his arm circling her small waist.

“No, I’m fine,” she assured him, seeing the worry that sprang in his eyes. “I want to ask her about the brew that the clan healer has been giving your da. There’s something troubling about it to me and I believe she may be able to help.”

Ruddock’s hands went to her waist, lifted her, and sat her on the edge of the desk, planting his hands on either side of her.

“I know you wished you had realized sooner that your da was ill and that there had been more you could have done for him. But my father’s illness has been openly known. He is dying and there is nothing you can do to save him.”

Sorrell placed her hand on her husband’s warm cheek. “You’re probably right, but I need to do this for me, not your da.”

If Sorrell hadn’t been sleeping in his arms on their journey here, then she had been chatting endlessly and he had enjoyed learning more about her and her family. He had realized that she felt that she had failed her da by not recognizing his illness sooner. Of course, she hadn’t, but she would continue to blame herself until she finally accepted the truth. And perhaps saving his father would make amends for not saving hers. Not that she would be able to save Finn Northwick, but if he didn’t let her try, what then?

“I’ll take you,” he said, “but it will not be until tomorrow morning.”

She grabbed his face in her hands and kissed him. “You are the most wonderful husband.”

“And you are the most challenging wife,” he said and lifted her off the desk. “Now go and don’t get into any trouble.”

She smiled and hurried to the door, calling out, “I’ll try, but I can’t promise.”

Ruddock shook his head as he returned to sit behind the desk.

“You should obey your husband. You have no idea how dangerous a man he is,” Erland whispered, waiting outside the solar.