Highlander The Cursed Lord (Highland Intrigue Trilogy 3)

“Please extend my gratitude to her,” Bliss said, relieved she would have proper garments to wear. The shift she had repaired was not wearing well. She recalled what Rannick’s mother had asked of her and quickly asked, “Can you give Lady Helice a message for me?”

“Aye,” Lawler said, surprised.

“Please tell her there is hope that she may get what she requested.”

Lawler nodded and Bliss was glad he did not pry and ask her to explain. This was between Lady Helice and her. She had asked Bliss to heal her son and at that time, Bliss feared it was an impossible task. Now, however, she had hope that healing Rannick was at least possible. And being a healer, she could not help but try to see it done. Or was it also that she cared what happened to Rannick, the curse having robbed him of so much?

“I must say, Bliss, that when I left you here, I feared what I would find when I returned. I did not think you had a chance with Lord Rannick. But seeing how well you do, and that Lord Rannick did not want you to pick up that basket—an act of kindness, though gruff as he was—I now believe you just may succeed where so many have failed.”

The door swung open startling them both.

“I will speak with you now, Lawler, then you will take your leave,” Rannick ordered, remaining outside.

“Aye, my lord,” Lawler said and gulped down the last of the brew and hurried outside.

Rannick poked his head back in. “You stay here.”

Bliss winced when the door rattled, he closed it so hard, and eagerly opened the sack.

Rannick walked away from the cottage and Lawler followed. “Do you recall the rumors that have circulated that there was a group forming who wanted to see Brogan, Odran, and me dead?”

“Aye, and rumors still circulate,” Lawler informed him. “Your father believes that this battle with MacFarden over Clan MacBridan land, where the church was built, is but a poke at the true problem.”

“That Odran, Brogan, and I will sire heirs and the curse will continue to plague the area,” Rannick said.

Lawler nodded. “Your father grows frustrated, unable to discover who leads the group. He has come to believe it may just be some discontents stirring trouble.”

Rannick said no more about it, not ready to tell him about the attacks and let him know that it was more than discontents.

“Return in a week with more provisions,” Rannick ordered.

Lawler nodded, pleased he would need no excuse to return so soon. “Aye, my lord. Is there anything you would like me to bring?”

Rannick had given it thought. He knew what he wanted, what he needed. “Seek out a healer and tell her you want something for your woman so that your seed will not take root in her.”

Lawler did not let his request worry him. Bliss would know what to do when he brought what Lord Rannick requested. That was if he brought the right ingredients.

“As you wish, my lord,” Lawler said.

Rannick turned his back on Lawler and walked toward the cottage, his departure ending their talk, and Lawler taking his leave.

Rannick entered the cottage and was met with a hug and a kiss. He stiffened in response as did his manhood. Never had a woman hugged him or kissed him so spontaneously and with such enthusiasm. Her scent lingered on him when she hurried away from him. It was potent from being in the garden. She smelled of fresh earth and ripe plants and all he wanted to do was dig into her.

“I am so grateful,” Bliss said, going to the table and waving her hand over the stack of garments. “I have never had so many lovely garments. The wool is so fine and soft to the touch and never have I felt linen as gentle. I cannot wait to feel them against me.” She smiled as she lifted a folded garment and rubbed it gently against her cheek. “I have never felt a cloak as thick and warm as this one. It will serve me well this winter.” She returned it to the pile and picked up a white one. “A nightdress. I have never had a nightdress.”

“You slept naked?” he asked, annoyed, thinking she had only done that with him.

“Nay,” she said, shaking her head. “In the winter I slept in my garments and in the warmer months, I slept in my shift and blanket. The bed was barely large enough for my two sisters, my bed was the earth floor.

The image of what she had endured bothered him. He had slept on the ground many times, but out of necessity. When he returned home, he had a good-sized bed waiting for him. The thought evoked an image in his head of the two of them curled naked around each other in his bed, which tormented his manhood even more.