Page 11 of Never Fall for a Highlander

It was her intention to take over for Aunt Dorathia when she returned to Dornoch and was looking forward to it.She and her aunt were very close since the woman had raised her, but she found as Aunt got older, she was unable to change her thinking about things that Helena wanted to try.

She was needed at Dornoch, and she wanted to have a place in the Clan that was respected and brought her a feeling of usefulness.Everyone at Clan Sutherland had always been wonderful to her, but she had a sense of not actually belonging because she was a Ross.

While she waited for the supplies to be brought up, she unwrapped the none-too-clean item of clothing covering the gash.Because it had been a little while since they’d left the battlefield, and the wound had been wrapped tightly, the bleeding had thankfully stopped, but parts of the cloth stuck to the wound.

“Please go to the water jug over there,” she nodded in the direction of the chest next to the wall that held the jug, “and bring that over.”

Finn did as she bid and stood next to her.“How bad does it look, lass?”

“’Tis no’ pretty, but although lengthy, isna verra deep.I think a good cleansing, suturing and then covering it with honey will be the best thing for the laird.That and a sleep potion to keep him from thinking he’s well enough to return to his duties.”

“Honey?”

“Aye.I learned that from a British visitor to Dornoch Castle.‘Tis something they use there that helps with the healing.”

“Ach, doona tell the laird when he awakens that ye got the idea of honey on a cut from the Sassenach.He’s liable to throw it out the window.”

She took one of the small squares of cloth from Aline’s basket and dipped it into the jug of water.She placed it on the wrap and squeezed water out to soak the area where the cloth was stuck.

By the time she had all the places freed, Craig had returned with the items she’d requested.“Please bring me a bit of soap.”

Before she received the soap, her head jerked up and her stomach gripped at the sound of Jena’s screams.She had to block it from her mind so she could sew up the laird and then she would be free to attend to Jena.

She took the soap from Finn, rubbed her hands, and then rinsed them in the clean water left over that she used to remove the blood from the wrap.

Her Aunt Dorathia had taught her well, and with her training in mind, she proceeded to do what she’d done for numerous wounds at Dornoch.First she cleaned the wound with warm water and soap, then when all the crusty blood had been wiped away, she slowly poured the whiskey into the wound

“Bluidy hell!”The laird shot up from the bed, the look in his eye as if he wanted to run his sword through whoever had done that.

Unmoved, Helena stood back in case he started to swing his fist, but when he dinna move, but glared at her, she put her hand on his chest.“’Tis well, my laird.I am cleaning yer wound before I suture it.”

His brows furrowed.“Helena?”

“Aye, my laird.Yer healer was unable to attend you.I am the healer for the Sutherland Clan, and I am here to help ye.”

“What is that wailing I hear?”

Helena cleared her throat.“My sister is in the process of giving birth.”

Despite the pain the mon had to be in, he grinned at her.“Isna the reason ye came was to help her?”

She returned his smile.“Aye.The timing was no’ good.”

He leaned back down on the bed and waved his hand.“Get on with it, lass.”

Helena threaded the needle and began the process of putting the laird’s side back together.The brothers stood by watching her.When she asked for something, it was quickly put into her hand.

After about an hour, she took a deep breath and stood back, stretching her back muscles.‘Twas done.All she had to do now was smear honey over the wound, wrap it, and then mix up a potion for the laird to drink that would help the pain and aid in letting him get much needed sleep.

Craig handed her the honey, still looking confused.

She laid down the jar and took some of the herbs in Aline’s basket and tucked them in the waistline of her airisaidh.She then lifted the jar and poured a bit of honey onto her hand.Finn took the jar from her hand, and she slowly coated the wound with the thick liquid.

Sometime during her efforts, the laird had passed out, which given the amount of pain he would be suffering, was a blessing.She stepped back to admire her work, then turned to the two men.“I’ll need to clean my hands before I can wrap the wound.I shall be right back.”

She left the laird’s room and hurried to the kitchen where she scrubbed the sticky mess from her hands.

“How is the laird?”Maude asked as she stirred something in the very large kettle.