Page 49 of The Forest Bride

“What is wrong with your foot?”

“I took an arrow. A young lad shot me.”

“In battle?”

“I wish it were so noble! An archery contest. Then the coward ran. He is in the custody of a justiciar now. If he were in my custody, he would be hanged by now.”

“When did it happen?”

“Well over a week ago.”

“And your foot is not much better?”

“I can hardly put weight on it. The physician applied a poultice and maggots and said he would return to cauterize it if it did not heal.” He waved a hand. “Not your concern, child. It still pains me, so I will send for the doctor.”

“He should have cauterized it the first time he saw it. May I look at it?”

He gave her an odd glance. “Why would you want to do that?”

“I want to be a physician. I am learning the healing arts.”

He laughed. “A physician! That is no work for a female, or a girl of your rank.”

“I am not a princess, if that is what you mean. There is only one princess of Scotland and she is a prisoner of the English king.”

“Huh. So you want to be an herb-woman? I suppose your mother was a servant on Carrick lands when your father was the young earl.”

“My mother was the daughter of a great lord. She died when I was born.”

“Then she would not want her girl to be an herb-wife.”

“I will be a physician. I will go to university and learn medical arts.”

“Impossible!” He laughed.

“Women can be physicians too. In Italy, women can attend university and earn a doctorate. That is what they call it. And that is what I will do.”

“And how would you get to Italy?”

“I will find a way. My father says I am the most determined of his children.”

“Dreams of a child! Your father will marry you off to someone important. Who does he want for you, has he said?”

“I do not talk about my father with strangers.” She had begun to fear that Menteith meant danger for her father, so she must protect whatever she knew. “Let me see your foot, sir.”

“What are you, twelve? I am not showing my foot to a child.”

“I will be fourteen in October.”

“Marriageable age.”

She ignored that. “Your physician is not helpful. That poultice should have been changed and a new one applied days ago. I know some things. Let me see your foot. I have been studying with a healing woman, you see,” she explained.

“A crofter’s wife, I suppose. Superstition and kitchen herbs.”

“She is a noble lady, and very knowledgeable and experienced. She is tutoring me.” Something told her not to name Lady Rowena Keith.

“And that makes you an expert? Females think they know everything.”