“This is my sister Willow, Erland. She will be tending Lord Finn.”
“I know you have just arrived and I don’t want to impose, but Lord Finn is in pain, having gone without his healing brew nearly a whole day now. Could you please see what can be done for him?” Erland asked.
“Of course,” Willow said and looked to Ruddock. “Is that all right with you, my lord?”
“Of course it’s all right with him, that’s why he sent for you,” Sorrell said and her sister shot her another reprimanding glare.
“I’d also like to speak with the healer who has been treating him,” Willow said.
Sorrell was quick to inform her. “She may be poisoning him.”
“Good Lord,” Willow said, her eyes turning wide.
“Wilda helps Lord Finn. His body is poisoning him,” Erland corrected.
“I think Willow should decide for herself what goes on with my father.” Ruddock turned to Hollis, standing a short distance from them. “Go bring Wilda to my father’s bedchamber and tell her to bring the brew she gives my father.”
Hollis took off and Sorrell led the way up the steps, her arm hooked comfortably with her sister’s, and her husband and Erland following.
“Get out! Get out or I’ll have you thrown out,” Lord Finn yelled as soon as Willow was introduced to him. “I have a healer and I’ll have no other tend me.” His arm rushed to grab at his stomach and he let out a heavy groan.
“I am so sorry my visit has upset you,” Willow said softly. “And I understand that you would want your own healer. I have asked to meet her and she is on her way here with your brew.”
Finn’s head shot up. “Wilda brings my brew?”
“She does and I would love to know what she gives you to help you with your pain. It could assist me in helping others who are in need like you.”
“You are well-mannered and know your place. Not like your sister,” Finn said and turned a scowl on Sorrell.
“You have to admit, Da, that you’ve grown to like me, if only a bit,” Sorrell said, smiling.
Finn looked to his son. “You should have wed Willow. She will make a good, obedient wife.”
“I’m afraid that wasn’t possible, Lord Finn. Your son and my sister fell in love when they first met and neither had eyes for anyone else.”
“You’re stuck with me, Da,” Sorrell said, her smile growing.
“I suppose I am,” Finn said grudgingly.
Willow caught the flash of admiration in his eyes for Sorrell and that pleased her.
“I’m here, Lord Finn. I’m here,” Wilda said, entering the room and stopping abruptly when she saw every one.
“The brew,” Lord Finn said, stretching his hand out for it.
Ruddock grabbed it out of Wilda’s hand as she walked past him and handed it to Willow before anyone could say a word.
“He needs the brew,” Wilda pleaded, looking to Willow.
“Just a quick sniff,” Willow said and wrinkled her nose, though kept sniffing.
Wilda crossed her arms over her chest and raised her chin, ready for an argument.
“I believe I can improve on the taste and scent,” Willow said, handing the tankard to Finn.
“I would be forever grateful if you did that.” Finn took a good swallow, wrinkling his nose as he did.
“I’d like to see you try,” Wilda challenged.
“Let her try,” Finn ordered, after taking another large gulp and gagging.
“I will see what I can do, Lord Finn, and you are lucky to have such an excellent healer,” Willow said. “Now why don’t we let you rest and I will look in on you later if you and your healer allow me to.”
“It is my decision alone to make and you are welcome to visit me any time you wish,” Finn said most empathically.
“Good, then I will see you later, Lord Finn,” Willow said, then slipped her arm around the old healer’s arm. “I could learn much from you. We should talk.”
They all settled in Ruddock’s solar, Erland included.
“You know, don’t you?” Wilda said, her eyes on Willow after the women sat.
“Aye, it was easy to detect,” Willow said with a nod.
Wilda’s shoulders slumped. “Easy only for a skilled healer.”
“What goes on here, Willow? Ruddock demanded. “You would never let my father drink poison.”
Sorrell was about to ask the same.
“Wilda isn’t poisoning your father,” Willow said. “Her brew is saving him from being poisoned.”
Chapter 31
“I don’t know when it started,” Wilda explained. “And by the time I did realize it, I feared it was too late. I started him on that brew in hopes it would fight the poison.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Erland asked, appearing bewildered by the news.
“And what if you’re the one poisoning him?” Wilda asked and shook her head. “I wasn’t about to take the chance and confide in anyone. I didn’t know who to trust so I kept it to myself.”