Page 7 of A Healer for the Ruthless Highlander

“I need yer services for a month,” Kenneth revealed calmly.

“A month?” Leana gasped.

“Aye.”

Being held accountable for his actions was a new experience, too. If it was going to be like this with her, he would have to get used to it. But he didn’t know how to do that, and he didn’t think he could stand a whole month ofbutsandwhys.

“Ye cannae force me to serve ye for a month,” Leana scoffed, hoping he would realize the absurdity of his request.

Kenneth shrugged, unfazed. “I’m nae forcin’ ye. Ye will be me guest,” he explained as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“A guest first accepts an invitation. And ye havenae invited me, nor have I accepted anything,” she countered.

She is a feisty one.

“Then I invite ye to stay in me castle for a month. I’d really prefer it if ye came as a guest rather than a captive.”

CHAPTER 4

It almost sounded like a joke.There was no humor or emotion in his words, for the seriousness of his tone made it impossible. But the irony was there.

And Leana, of course, caught it in the air.

She furrowed her brow and narrowed her eyes. Sparks flew from her blue orbs, but her annoyance only amused him.

“Very funny, Sir. But I daenae accept.”

“It would be much easier for both of us if ye did,” Kenneth reasoned, waiting for her to catch up. She seemed to be walking slowly on purpose.

“Perhaps, but I have nay intention of makin’ it easy for ye,” she grumbled.

Kenneth stopped to look at her, and she immediately took a step back at the unexpected movement.

Does she think she’s talkin’ to a peasant?

Apparently, Leana was incapable of controlling her temper once it flared. Unfortunately, that was something they had in common.

Therefore, his next words were firm.

“Ye will serve me in me castle for a month, and then ye will be free to go. If ye do what I ask, I will give ye everything ye want.”

“There is nothing I want more than me freedom.”

“Very well. Ye’ll have it in a month.”

“I want it now,” Leana insisted.

God, give me patience!

“I’ll pay ye in gold,” he offered, though he assumed that she was not a lass to be bought.

“I’m nae interested in gold.” Leana held his gaze stubbornly.

Kenneth sighed deeply, obviously annoyed. He raised a hand to his long, dark hair and ruffled it. He had to keep trying toreason with the lass. It was either that or throwing her over his shoulder.

She is as stubborn as she is bonnie.

“If nae by choice, then by force. But either way, yewillstay. Ye might as well decide to do it as me guest,” he warned.