Chapter Nine

Thane

Thane coolly assessed his allies. At least, he considered Clan MacVey and Clan Rankin as allies. He was often criticized for being cold and distant, but it was the truth.

Clan MacQuarie was a distance away from anywhere, since it was the western side of the isle. Alas, they didn't travel here often. But after one look at Tamsin, he knew he had to cross over and seek out the healer. Clan MacVey had one, something he was extremely jealous of.

Clan MacQuarie needed a healer of their own, but he had no idea who he could send to train or where. Doiron was getting on in age, so she was unlikely to travel. And the clan had few females, a precious commodity he didn't wish to risk losing to another clan.

"Follow me. I'll take you to her cottage," Lennox said, leading the way to a small hut in the farthest corner of the inner bailey.

The villagers did their best to hide their curiosity, but they all took in the state of the beautiful redheaded lass in his arms. He glared at each of them, forcing many to look away, but not before they got a good look at her.

Thane noticed that Tamsin was no longer awake. He wished to shake her, but she was not moving. He checked to make sure she was breathing regularly, and though her respirations were growing shallow, he could still see the slight rise and fall of her chest.

"Who is she, MacQuarie?"

"Her name is Tamsin. Her husband left her in the middle of Loch Tuath. Left her on a rock hoping when the tide rose, she'd die, is my guess, since she cannot swim."

Lennox jerked his head back to stare at Thane. "Who is her husband?"

"Raghnall Garvie. I know naught of him. Do you know him? She said they live on Ulva." Thane made a point to mind his own business.

Sloan began to cough. "Garvie? Did you say Raghnall Garvie?"

Thane shrugged. "I'll ask her if she lives."

Sloan glanced at Lennox and said, "Do not use my name when you tell anyone you saved her. He'll come for whomever saves her if his intent was death. Take my word for it. Evil bastard."

Thane snorted. "Obviously." He'd not be frightened by a cruel man. They were usually easily taken down, if one had the guards and weaponry to do so, something he needed more of, for certain.

They reached the cottage, and Lennox knocked before opening the door. "Doiron, I have a patient for you. A poor lass needs your help."

Doiron came to the door, then peered at the lass, scowling. She had gray hair but kind eyes. Wide at the hip, she did not move quickly, but her eyes took in everything. "Any wounds? Animal bites? Anything like that? How long since she spoke last?"

"A couple of hours."

"Set her on the pallet there and turn your backs." Thane did as she asked, and the men turned away from her. Thane could hear as she whispered to Tamsin, then he heard the rustle of fabric followed by a sharp intake of the healer's breath.

Thane spun away quickly, shocked to see the bruises on Tamsin's body. He whipped his head back around as if he'd been burned. He'd seen men beaten that badly, but never a female. What the hell kind of man was Raghnall Garvie?

Doiron rustled again, then said, "You may turn around. I cannot help her."

Thane didn't have a healer, so he was more than confused. "Why not?"

Lennox said, "Truly, Doiron. You must be able to help her in some way."

"I cannot. She's been beaten worse than any man I've ever seen. I fix broken bones and stitch up wounds. I deliver bairns. I cannot help someone with no wound and no broken bone. You'll just have to leave her be and see if she comes out of it."

"There's naught we can do?" Thane scanned the hut, vials and tinctures everywhere. Surely there was something here that could help Tamsin heal.

Doiron shrugged. "Mayhap one other possibility."

"What? I'll do what I can," Thane said, unsure why he wished to see this through. Perhaps he should leave her here and return to his clan.

"I'm not sure, but there may be a different healer who could help this type of sickness."

He couldn't just leave her here, an odd force driving him to help her. "Tell me, please."

"I hear the new ones at Duart Castle are from Clan Ramsay. Lady Brenna Ramsay is the finest healer in all the mainland. I think one of the lasses is her granddaughter. It might be worth a try to see if she can help in any way."

"Have any of you visited yet?"

Lennox explained, "Nay, but my men have observed them. Only five are there and they do not appear hostile."

Thane thought for a moment. Surely, they would not attack a man searching for help. He had to do what he could. "All right. I'll take her there. Many thanks for your assistance."

"I'm sorry I could not help," Doiron said. "But I'd sure like to meet the nasty brute who did that to her."

Lennox, Sloan, and Thane all turned to look at her, surprised she was so vocal about it. "Why?" Lennox asked.

"Because I'd take him to the Ramsay archers. I'm hoping one of the two Ramsay women at Duart Castle is an archer."

"Why?" Sloan asked, pursing his lips.

Doiron wore a smug smirk and crossed her arms. "If they are, surely you've heard of their reputation."

All three shook their heads. Thane had no idea what she spoke of.

Doiron chuckled. "The last man who messed with a Ramsay archer lass got an arrow straight to his bollocks. And she's not the first to do it. Her grandmother taught her. I heard he was fool enough to try to steal one of their young archers for a bride. It didn't end well for him. The lass's husband held him while she shot an arrow from afar." She pointed to an area of Thane's. "Got him right in his favorite parts. He did not survive. The others who came with him couldn't run away fast enough." Then she let out a hearty laugh. "How I wish I could have been a witness to that."

Lennox swallowed hard, Sloan moved behind Lennox, and Thane said, "He must have deserved it. I hope she's on Mull and she finds Garvie. It would be a pleasure to watch."

Thane moved over and lifted Tamsin from the pallet, but she made no sound and didn't move.

"Godspeed with ye, laddie, and with yer lassie." Doiron gave him a small pat on his shoulder as he made his way through the door.

He called back over his shoulder to her, "She's not my lass."

Doiron chuckled and tipped her head. "Are you sure about that?"

Thane frowned but couldn't think of an appropriate response. He'd never been more confused by anyone than he was by Tamsin Garvie. And since he viewed most women as useless, he couldn't reconcile what drew him to her.

He couldn't explain anything at the moment.