Rory snorted. It was something he himself had meant to do, and he wasn’t at al certain that no one
“I thought I told you to bring Lady Aileanna to me.”
“I tried, but the lady says she’s busy and wil come when she gets the chance.” The lad, head bowed, twisted his hands in front of him.
hands in front of him.
“She wil , wil she?” Rory muttered, rising to his feet.
“And . . . and she said I was to tel you you’d better damn wel be in bed when she does,” Connor stammered, obviously quoting the lady verbatim.
Fergus covered a snort of laughter with a cough, shrug
ging when Rory shot him a quel ing look.
“That’l be al , Connor.”
“Rory, she’s lookin’ to the men who were wounded in
LORD OF THE ISLES
45
the battle with the MacDonald. There are a fair number of them.”
“Yer quick to her defense, brother.” Rory narrowed his gaze on Iain. The lad had a reputation with the ladies, and he wondered if he’d charmed his way into Lady Aileanna’s affections—a thought that didn’t sit wel with Rory, not with the memory of her naked in his arms and her passion
ate response to his touch. Fists clenched at his sides, he reined in the spurt of jealousy. An emotion he had no right or reason to feel, he reminded himself.
“Nay.” His brother gave an adamant shake of his head.
“’Tis no’ like that.”
He ignored Iain. Lowering himself into the chair, he leaned back. “I appreciate the lass seein’ to the men’s care, but what I’d be needin’ to ken is where she’s from. Is there a chance she could be a spy sent by the MacDonald?”
Iain guffawed. “Brother, you’d think yer own mother a spy if she was alive.”
Rory shrugged. “You canna’ be too careful.”
Fergus cleared his throat. “She’s no spy, lad. She’d been kidnapped by those bloody lowlanders on the account of her healin’ abilities, but she escaped. I found her when I went back to the battlegrounds lookin’ fer our wounded.”
Rory scrubbed his hands over his face, thinking on what Fergus told him.
“I thought I told you to stay in your bed.”
He looked up. Aileanna Graham stood only a few feet from him, hands on her hips, more bonny than he remem bered. The tops of her milky white breasts fil ed the square neckline of a gown the color of heather. Reluctantly, he pul ed his gaze to her face. His hands twitched at the memory of how she’d felt in his arms. Bloody hel , if he didna’ get his heated thoughts under control they would al have a verra good idea what he was thinkin’.
46
His plaid would soon resemble a tent.
He cleared his throat. “Lass, in case you hadna’ noticed, I am the laird. I listen to no one.”
She arched a brow. “I know exactly who you are, Lord MacLeod. But you are also my patient, and until I decide you are no longer under my care, you
He folded his arms across his chest and glowered at her.
“I’l no’ get into bed. I’ve been in there long enough.”
“I think I hear Mrs. Mac cal in’ fer me.” Iain rose from the stool and headed for the door with Fergus fast on his heels.
“Fergus, Iain, I expect a ful update on the army’s con
dition before evenin’ meal,” he yel ed, cursing when they shut the door firmly behind them without a word.
“That hurt, didn’t it?” Without waiting for an answer, she leaned over and placed cool fingertips to his forehead. Rory shook his head, not certain he’d get the words out. His mouth had gone dry. He licked his lips. She was so close he felt the heat of her body; the scent of lavender en
veloped him.
“Let’s get you into bed,” she said, slipping her soft hand into his. “I want to make sure you haven’t done any damage.”
“I told you, lass, I’m no’ gettin’ back in that bed.”
She sighed. “You’re a stubborn man. Has anyone ever told you that?” Shaking her head, she knelt before him.
