Page 66 of Ghost of the Ton

Hamish stepped forward, his brow furrowed into a frown. “What’s happened here?”

“It’s our Ada!”

His frown deepened and he stared at Mia. “What has she done?”

“Oh, for pity’s sake!” Mia cried. “Why must you all assume that I’m trying to harm the poor child? Is this what Highlanders think of women? Or just Englishwomen?”

Hamish’s eyes widened and he shook his head.

“Or,” Mia continued, gritting her teeth as she gestured to her face, “just pockmarked Englishwomen?”

He stepped forward and reached toward her. “I only meant—”

Mia slapped his hand away. “I care not what you meant,” she said. “And I care not what any of you think. All I care about is this child. And if none of you will help me, then why don’t you go to the devil and let me take care of my patient?”

“Fuck,” Hamish muttered, and the woman drew in a sharp breath.

“Fuck!” Jamie echoed.

“Enough of that, lad,” Ada’s father said, clipping him around the ear. “Yer da would beat ye black and blue if he heard ye cursing.”

Ada let out another wail and Mia took another shard of willow from the jar. “Here, sweetheart, take this,” she said. “And if anyone tries to take it from you, I’ll cast a spell on them, turn them into a worm, then feed them to the salmon in the river.”

“What’s wrong with the lass?” Hamish said, approaching the table.

“It’s her collarbone,” Mia said. “It’s out of place and I must move it back. But”—she lowered her voice, lest the child hear—“it’s going to hurt. A lot. So Ada needs to be kept still, and I need no distractions.”

“Then let me help.”

She let out a snort and he took her hand. She caught her breath at the fizz of heat in her blood, but when she tried to break free, he pulled her close.

“Please.”

His emerald eyes shimmered with the soft plea, and, at length, she nodded.

“Very well,” she said. “Will you do as I tell you? I know a man finds it hard to take instructions from a woman.”

“Ma’am, can ye help my Ada?” the woman said.

“Of course she can, Mrs. MacLennan,” Hamish said. “Trust her—as I do. Why dinnae ye hold yer daughter’s hand while I help Lady MacLennan tend to her.”

Lady MacLennan…

“Jamie, lad,” Hamish continued, “do ye think Ada might like some wildflowers to cheer her up? I saw some by the river outside.”

“B-but the lady said I could lay the fire. And I want to help Ada.”

“Why don’t you go and find the flowers?” Mia said. “You can lay the fire when you come back.”

“There!” Hamish said, crouching to take the boy’s hand. “Do as the lady says.”

“Yes, sir.” Jamie dipped his head, then exited the parlor.

“Allan, I think ye should go with him,” Hamish said. “Keep him outside until we call ye.”

The man glanced at Mia. “Do ye trust her, laird?”

“Aye,” Hamish said. “I’d trust her with my life.”