"Do you feel nauseous?"
Anna nodded, feeling halfway sick simply because she had to lie to her friend. She truly hated being dishonest.
"Can you try to eat some?"
"Aye."
Harriet left the two alone and closed the door on her way out, while Tavia placed the bed tray over Anna's lap. When she sat up, Tavia adjusted the pillows behind her.
Anna took a bite of the watery porridge. Although 'twas bland, she savored the nourishment. She had missed supper the night before. Since she could not appear too eager to consume it, she ate very slowly. The problem of Chief Hamilton battered her with anxiety. She wondered if she could surreptitiously find out information about villages in the surrounding area where she might escape.
"Are you the healer for the village, too?" Anna asked.
"Aye, when they need me, but they have their own midwife."
"I imagine 'tis a problem to have to travel there."
"Nay, Bearach village is less than a mile away. Acharacle is another one I go to on occasion. 'Tis three or four miles away."
Aha. Just what Anna needed to know. "Are there many villages in the surrounding area?"
"Not many. Glenfinnan is several miles away. We generally travel there by galley for 'tis at the other end of Loch Shiel."
A sharp knock sounded at the door.
Anna jumped, dropping her spoon onto the tray with a clatter. "Who could that be?"
Tavia shook her head, then hastened to open the door. "M'laird?"
"How is she?" he demanded, his voice rough.
Anna froze. Heavens! Neacal had come to see her?
"She is breaking her fast." Tavia pulled the door open wide, allowing him entrance.
Anna's hands flew up to her disheveled hair. She must look a fright. Her eyes felt swollen from sleeping so hard.
"You're feeling better then, Mistress Douglas?" he asked, his sharp blue gaze moving over her face, no doubt noticing every horrid detail.
She lowered her face, staring into the porridge. "Aye."
"I'm glad. You had all of us worried."
"'Twas simply something I ate," she blurted, hoping he would leave and give her time to wash her face, dress and brush her hair. How mortifying that such a handsome man would see her at her untidy worst. "I'm well now."
"Good. I'll be seeing you later, then." He bowed and left.
Tavia closed the door and returned to the bed, a smug smile on her face as she studied Anna.
"What?" Saints, how Anna's face burned. She hated blushing!
"He visits no one else in the castle who is sick."
"Are there a lot of sick people here?"
Tavia gave a wry grin. "You ken what I mean, lass. The laird is mighty concerned over your health. More so than anyone else's."
"Well… he's a gentleman."
