by Blair, Willa
“Well, we’ll resume the willow bark tea…”
“Ach, nay,” Cam objected. “That bitter stuff.”
“Twill save yer life, ye daft man. If ye’d stayed abed as I told ye to, this might no’ have happened.”
“Ye told him to stay abed? When?”
“Just this morn. I found him in yon chair.” The healer gestured at the wooden seat by the fireplace.
“Bored,” Cameron complained. “And now Mary will leave me. More bored. Need water.”
Mary rolled her eyes and saw the healer smile. “Ye are no’ so sick as all that. I’ll get ye a book. But for now, we need to cool ye.” She dropped the cloths into the pitcher to let them soak, then pulled one out and wrung it out. “This will be cold.”
“I ken it. ’Tis no’ like ye have no’ done this to me before.”
In answer, Mary dropped the cold cloth on Cameron’s chest.
“Ach, shite! Could ye warn me?”
“Ye could open yer eyes.” She spread the cloth across his chest, then reached for another. “Does the light hurt them?”
“A little.”
Mary took pity on him and used the next to wipe his face, then laid it across his brow and eyes.
“That feels better.”
“I’ll get the tea and be right back,” the healer announced and left Mary to her cranky patient.
“I dinna ken why yer fever came back,” Mary soothed, “but we’ll make it better.”
“I want ye to stay, Mary. No’ to go with yer da. No one cares for me as ye do.”
“Nonsense. Why, even that serving girl said she likes ye and doesna wish ye to die. Now, stop being a child. Ye’re no’ three years old. Ye’ll get better whether I have the care of ye or nay.”
“So ye have made up yer mind to go.”
“I dinna have much choice, now do I?” Mary wrung out another cloth and stroked it along Cameron’s neck and throat. “Brace yerself. I’m going to put this one on yer belly.”
“Ye dinna think yer da can take care of himself without ye?” Cameron challenged as she spread the cold cloth below the one on this chest. His only reaction was to tighten the muscles in his abdomen.
Mary was glad he couldn’t see her face. She enjoyed looking at Cameron’s muscles, and the trail of hair that disappeared into his trews. She knew where it led, of course, but that didn’t make it any less compelling. “I dinna ken what that Grant woman is planning, or expecting to achieve with this visit. So, nay, I dinna think he can. I’m sorry, Cameron. ’Tis my duty to him and to this clan.”
The healer came back with a cup of the willow bark tea in her hand. “Ye must drink all of this,” she reminded him.
Cameron threw an arm over his eyes. Though she couldn’t see the upper part of his face Mary knew his expression had to be one of long suffering.
“Let’s sit ye up,” she told him and stripped the damp cloths from his body, then tugged the one he’d trapped between his arm and forehead. “So ye can drink it faster.”
The serving girl returned then, too, with another pitcher. Mary nodded and gestured for the girl to set it down. “Then ye can have some ale.”
Cameron grunted and rolled to his side, swung his legs off the bed and sat up. He wiped his face with the cloth, then handed it to Mary. He accepted the cup from the healer and tossed it back, wincing as he swallowed. “Ale…please.”
The serving girl poured some into a clean cup and handed it to Mary. Mary passed it to Cameron.
He tossed it back, then held the cup out. “More. I can still taste that bitter tea.”
The healer nodded, so Mary let the girl refill the cup and gave it back to him. “Slower this time, aye?” He surprised her by obeying. When he finished, he held the cup out to her.
“That’s enough for now,” the healer told him. “I’ll check on ye in an hour. I expect to find ye asleep.”
Cameron gave her a wry smile. “I’ll do my best.” Then he turned his gaze to Mary. “Will ye stay?”
“Aye, if only to torture ye some more.” She waved the serving girl out and reached into the water pitcher for another wet cloth. “Lie on yer belly if ye wish and I’ll try to cool yer back.”
Cameron nodded and did as he was told, stretching out on his belly, resting his head on his arms, his face to the side.
Mary wrung out the cloth and laid it over this head, leaving his face uncovered, but trailing a corner of the cloth over as much of his forehead as she could reach.
Cameron sighed.
After warning him, she placed another cloth on the back of his neck and was rewarded with a groan of pleasure.
Then she covered his back, though it took three cloths to span his shoulders and reach down to his waist. She longed to trace the dip in his lower back, but dared not touch him in any way that was not clearly meant to help him heal. When the cloths warmed, she replaced them with cool ones until his breathing slowed and evened out. She placed a hand on his forehead. Cooler. Something had helped.
About the Author
Willa Blair is an Award-winning Amazon and Barnes & Noble #1 Bestselling author of Scottish Historical, light Paranormal, and Contemporary romance. She has been featured on and contributes to USAToday’s Happy Ever After romance blog, Savvy Authors, Romance University, and more.
Her books have won numerous honors, including the Marlene, the Merritt, National Readers’ Choice Award Finalist, The Reader’s Crown finalist, Historical Romance finalist and Honorable Mention in InD’Tale Magazine’s prestigious RONE Award, NightOwl Reviews Top Pick, and InD’tale Review’s Crowned Heart.
A life-long student and reader, she has been a stained glass artist and instructor, a foreign language teacher, a computer scientist, an analyst, a manager and an executive. She has visited five continents and can get by in several languages. She loves scouting new settings for books, and thinks being an author is the best job she’s ever had.
I love hearing from my readers! Contact me:
[email protected]
Acknowledgments
A book is the product of an author’s heart and soul. But more than the author’s craft is needed to take ideas from rough draft to polished.
My heartfelt thanks go out to my Beta reader, Laura Stephens, and my editor, Maureen Sevilla, for your critique, ideas and encouragement. And to my cover artist, Tamra Westberry, for brilliantly interpreting my stories into beautiful art.
And last but never least, my eternal gratitude to my husband, Laird Peter. You are always my inspiration.
Praise for Willa Blair’s Novels
HIS HIGHLAND HEART
“The plot was honestly a masterpiece. It was well thought out and orchestrated. Right out the gate I was hooked! The hero had immediate book boyfriend appeal.” Long And Short Reviews
“Willa Blair knows how to make a story come to life and sweep you away on a beautiful journey into the Highlands…This is a Scottish adventure you won’t want to miss!” Books & Benches
HIS HIGHLAND ROSE
“Masterfully and brilliantly written Scottish Romance…!” My Book Addiction & More
WAITING FOR THE LAIRD
“Willa Blair spins a beautiful romance set in the Scottish Highlands full of suspense, history and mystery… I highly suggests you pick it up and enjoy.” Night Owl Romance
“About 3:00 am I finally had to force myself to stop…yes, it was that good. Give yourself a treat and grab this book…” The Reading Cafe
“A contemporary romantic tale with a touch of history—and ghosts…Waiting for the Laird by Willa Blair is a delightful romance and unexpected adventure set in Scotland.” Books and Benches
HIGHLAND HEALER
“This is a great novel. Lovers of Hannah Howell’s highland novels will love this.” Romancing the Book
“This story is action-packed and full of twists and turns that will keep readers on their toes. It is fast-paced and has a sweet romance that will warm your heart. Well written and full of imagination, th
is story is a must read for historical romance fans!” The Romance Reviews
“…a rich, enjoyable read.” Satin Sheets Romance
HIGHLAND SEER
“…this is different enough from other Highland romances to stand out from the pack. Ms. Blair’s writing style is natural and evocative…” Romantic Historical Reviews
“16th-century intrigue, muscled men with claymores and a doomed romance — is it any wonder I was reluctant to leave the rich, riveting world of HIGHLAND SEER?” USAToday HEA
HIGHLAND TROTH
“Scottish romance at its best!” InD’Tale Magazine
“…an exciting, romantic, historical tale full of angst, action and searing hot passion…With plenty of adventure and the twist of an old murder, HIGHLAND TROTH by Willa Blair, kept me hooked from beginning to end. A wonderful Highland romance.” Fresh Fiction
HEART OF STONE
"...you'll pick up to read again and again." Reading Between the Wines
THE HEALER’S GIFT
“A Highland romance with a truly great hero…the story is compelling…” InD’Tale Magazine
“A story of mystery, regret, hope, danger and trust…The characters are endearing, the story is fulfilling, and the set up for the remainder of the series presents an open invitation to dive right in. THE HEALER’S GIFT is a highly recommended read.” Fresh Fiction
WHEN HIGHLAND LIGHTNING STRIKES
“Ms. Blair is a consummate storyteller…Can’t wait for more from this magical author.” My Book Addiction and More
“Ms. Blair has an easy to read talent for bringing a story to life.” Long and Short Reviews
Afterword
I hope you’ll enjoy the adventures—and romances—in my new His Highland Heart Scottish historical series. Look for the third book, His Highland Bride, in late 2017.
His Highland Rose (His Highland Heart Prequel)
His Highland Heart (His Highland Heart Book 1)
His Highland Love (His Highland Heart Book 2)
His Highland Bride (His Highland Heart Book 3)
And find links to the rest of my books on http://www.willablair.com
Heart of Stone (Highland Talents Prequel)
Highland Healer (Highland Talents Book 1)
Highland Seer (Highland Talents Book 2)
Highland Troth (Highland Talents Book 3)
The Healer’s Gift (A Highland Talents Novella)
When Highland Lightning Strikes (A Highland Talents Novella)
Sweetie Pie (A Candy Hearts Novella)
Waiting for the Laird
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