Somewhere My Lass Read Online Free Page A

more incensed. “Then free me from this torment as befits a true Hieland chieftain!” 
    When had he declared himself a true Highland chieftain? 
    “And your father, a knight!” she flung at him.
    “What?”
    Jerking against his restraint, she cried, “Do ye not ken? I’m yer ain Mora. Will ye let strangers molest me?”
    She was a raging, red-haired fury. It was all Neil could do to hold her down. But he hated to call the nurse, though no one within hearing distance could possibly miss her ranting.
    The door opened. A thin man in blue scrubs strode in, looking at the chart in his hand. He ran his fingers over sparse gray hair. “Sorry. We’re shorthanded this evening. Doctor Marston’s on another case. I’m Doctor Paul.” 
    His tag said head of neurology. So, they’d called in the big guns.
    Dr. Paul glanced down at Mora struggling in Neil’s grip. “I see this young woman’s suffered a head injury. Combative, is she?”
    “Very, but not from the trauma,” Neil grunted. “I suspect it’s her nature.”
    The physician shifted his focus from Mora to Neil. “It says here you’re her fiancé.  Don’t you know?”
    He answered between exhalations of air. “Our engagement is recent. She’s only just come from Scotland. We haven’t seen each other for a while.” 
    Ever , he thought, fighting to retain the upper hand over this she-devil. 
    Why then was there something familiar about her face and those glistening eyes? The reproach in her expression was new, though. She hadn’t glared at him as though he’d let her down before.
    He caught himself. Before? What was he thinking? Everything about her was uncharted territory, wasn’t it?
    The responsive chord deep in his gut argued with logic.
     

 
    C hapter Four
    “The Cat Scan didn’t reveal any injury beyond a mild concussion.”
    There they went again, blethering on about some invisible cat, but the words floated above Mora like vaporous mist on the Hielans.
    “How long until she comes round?” Neil’s low voice emanated from her side.
    “We administered a short acting anesthetic to keep her still for the procedure, but she should regain consciousness soon and be ready to go.”
    “Where?” Neil sounded taken aback.
    “Into your care. You are engaged, aren’t you?”
    “Yes.” A trace of uncertainty lingered in Neil’s tone. “Will she remain long in this confused state, do you think?”
    “It’s difficult to say. Even mild head injuries can sometimes have pronounced effects on people. Give her time to rest, Mr. MacKenzie.”
    “I will. I’ve seen the effects of concussion before, just not anything like this.”
    Doctor Paul dropped his voice. “If need be, you might take her to visit a psychiatrist.”
    Mora cringed. Witchcraft cloaked the very name. The awful flames reserved for heretics flared in her mind’s eye. Surely one who visited such a being was condemned to burn for the cleansing of their immortal soul.
    Thankfully, Neil didn’t pounce on the wicked suggestion. “I’m sure she’ll be fine. A good rest, as you said. I appreciate all your help, doctor.”
    “Certainly.” A cool hand dipped to Mora’s forehead. “I’ll leave orders for Miss Campbell to be discharged.”
    Like a musket blast? This learned doctor was a sinister man indeed.
    A soft tread indicated he’d gone.
    Praise the blessed saints. Now Mora could breathe a bit easier. What a struggle to open her eyes. That must have been a potent sleeping draught they’d given her. She didn’t even remember drinking anything. Blurred images gradually came into focus as if in the clearing haze on a cloudy day, but drowsiness pulled at her. She might easily slip back into a dream.
    Smothering a yawn, she surveyed the small chamber. She’d prefer the dream. So cold and metallic. She almost expected to see a rack for stretching hapless victims or chains for suspending them upside down. That would help explain the cries emanating from further away. Poor souls.