Lily looked up sharply. “And how exactly did he describe me?”
“As sweet and shy… But… But also stubborn. Headstrong. He said ye willnae be told what to do. That ye ken yer own mind, even if the whole world stands against ye.” Sorcha smiled as she folded the maroon monstrosity. “He said it like a complaint, but I could tell he admired ye for it.”
Lily snorted. “He might nae admire me for itnow. Nae after the day he had with me.”
Sorcha met her gaze, serious now. “Well, just so ye ken—ye’re exactly the kind of lady we need.”
“I am nae here to be a lady,” Lily said firmly. “I’m here to treat the wounded. That is all.”
Sorcha didn’t argue. She just shrugged. “Well, we shall see if ye still say that after tomorrow.”
Lily narrowed her eyes. “What happens tomorrow?”
“The elders.”
“What elders?”
Sorcha’s brow creased. “Ye daenae ken? They’ve been expecting ye.”
Lily folded her arms across her chest. “To do what, exactly?”
“To meet ye. Speak with ye. Assess things, I suppose.”
“Well, they’ll be sorely disappointed,” Lily said. “Because once these soldiers are healed, I am leaving. I’m nae staying a moment longer than needed.”
Sorcha held her gaze for a long moment, then nodded. “Very well.”
Lily exhaled, tucking her damp hair behind her ear. “I need to head back. There are still people I need to attend to.”
Sorcha stepped toward the wardrobe. “Ye can go, but nae before eating. The food has been laid out for ye in the dining hall, and the cook’s none too pleased that ye skipped breakfast and lunch.”
“I am nae hungry.”
“Aye, well, ye will be. And if ye keel over in the hall, that willnae help anyone.”
Lily rolled her eyes but didn’t protest further. “How is Timothy doing?”
Sorcha looked back at her. “Oh, he left already.”
“Left?”
“Aye. As soon as ye bandaged his foot, he got up and left for the village.”
Lily’s jaw dropped. “He shouldnae be walking on his foot. Nae yet.”
“I ken. But his wife is with child, and their food stores are low. He had to go back.”
Lily frowned, pacing toward the window. “There were things I needed to tell him. About how to treat the wound, how to place weight gently, elevate his leg at night?—”
“He kens.”
Lily turned. “He does?”
Sorcha smiled. “Aye.”
“Did ye tell him?”
“Nay. The Laird did.”
