Page 45 of Dorchad

The older woman chuckled. “I’m no lady, Healer. Call me by my name, please.”

“Kena, then. I’m Rebecca.” She grinned. “I’ll speak to Garia, if you don’t mind, so I can explain how to manage Sheona’s dressings. Where can I find her?”

After the laundress told her where the chambermaid worked in the morning she went back into the stronghold and followed the passages that led to the laird’s bed chamber. Yet when she drew close to the door she saw it was standing partially open, and the sounds coming from inside indicated the occupants were busy having sex. Since she had no desire to eavesdrop on Lucy and Tair she started to turn around to go back to the infirmary.

“Halley, you scoundrel.” A maid came stalking out of the laird’s chamber, scowling as she shook out her skirts.

“Come back to me, wench,” a deep voice called from inside.

“You hardly let me sleep last night and now you dinnae permit me work for more of the same?” she shrieked at the open doorway. “Do you wish fack me to death?”

“I but adore you,” Halley roared back.

“Good. ’Tis how I shall assure the laird we did no harm by facking on his dining table,” Garia yelled in response.

Rebecca almost laughed out loud. She’d never seen lovers fight like this, and it was completely fascinating to her.

The big man who came out after her had a sheepish rather than an angry expression. “Forgive me, lass. I couldnae report for duty with my tadger in such a state.”

The maid gave him a sharp kick in the shins. “Use your hand next. I’ve work to do.”

Rebecca stepped out of sight around the corner, and then pretended to walk around it for the first time and waved at Garia. “Hi, there. Can I speak to you for a moment, please?”

Halley bowed quickly in her direction and trotted off. The maid hurried over to her, seemingly unaware that her bodice remained unlaced and her full breasts were practically spilling out of it.

“How may I aid you, Healer?” Garia asked.

“Sheona burned her hands pretty badly, and will need some help with bathing and dressing for a few days.” She went around her to tighten her laces and tie them off. “Kena thought you’d be willing to give her some assistance.”

“Och, aye, of course.” Garia’s face turned red as she faced her. “You heard me with Halley, then?”

She nodded. “From the way you were yelling, I think most of the people in this part of the castle did.”

The maid cringed. “Forgive us, Healer. The more we swive, the greater Halley’s need becomes. Only when I cease sharing his bed can he manage better his wonts.”

She thought immediately of Dorchad, and how much she wanted to cling to him every morning before he left. “It’s hard to stop when it’s so good, isn’t it?”

Garia wrinkled her nose. “’Tis grand pleasure, but the lad, he’s almost too much for me. ’Tis his mortal weakness, the need to fack when he’s too near the one he likes.”

“That’s a very interesting weakness.” Rebecca wondered if it could be due to priapism rather than Halley’s dark Fae blood. “Does it become painful for him?”

“I cannae tell you, although even after we’re finished he remains ready to go again.” She sighed. “Mayhap I shall sleep in Sheona’s bed chamber while she’s healing. That should tame my lad’s tireless tadger.”

Dorchad left Cath in the lists to finish drilling the men of the garrison, and went to report to Tair on their readiness. He expected to find Rebecca keeping the laird’s wife company, but Lucy sat alone studying map scrolls at her husband’s work table while Tair and the war master were having a discussion in low voices on the other side of the room.

“If you’re looking for Dr. McIan, Lochran took her up to show her the infirmary,” she said as she marked something on the parchment. “Rebecca agreed to take over as the clan’s healer.”

He wasn’t surprised to hear that—she’d mentioned wanting to use her knowledge and skills to help their mortal vassals—but the notion that the Night Watch Chief had escorted her didn’t set well with him.

“How may a blind man show my woman anything?” As Lucy glanced up in surprise he added gruffly, “You ken we’re together, aye?”

“Since she’s been sleeping in your bed chamber for a while now I guessed as much,” she said drily. “Why do you have a problem with Lochran? Next to Cath he’s the nicest MacRune on the island.”

“Och, he’s nicer than me, my lady,” the war master called over to her, making the laird snort.

“I’ve no trouble with Night Watch.” Except for the fact that he was alone with Rebecca and might put his hands on her, even accidentally. “Excuse me.”

Dorchad left and headed directly to the infirmary, where he walked in and found his bed wench going through the contents of some small boxes on a lower shelf. She looked up and gave him a meltingly sweet smile, seemingly all innocence and pure affection. Had she smiled that way at Lochran? he wondered as he reached back to close the door and drop the bolt bar to secure it.