Read Online The Brightest Star in the Highlands: Jennie and Aedan (Clan Grant Series Book 7) by Keira Montclair - Free Book Online

before preparing to stitch the edges of the wound together. The cleaning helped her see the edges of the wound better, and truth be told, this was the part of healing she loved. She enjoyed learning about the body, working through the blood. She often wondered how it flowed through the body, what kind of a network made it flow so heavily to thin areas like the face. She admitted to being entranced every time she saw the inside of a body. Someday she would like to make a drawing of the innards of the belly, and the inside parts of the neck. It would help her and other healers know how best to sew up wounds.
    She listened to the men discuss the battle while she did her work.
    Neil shook his head and paced. “Curse it, but I have not seen any of these men before. I thought I heard some speaking with an English accent.”
    “Aye, I noticed the same. Most were English. Why would the English come so far to pose random attacks? And it puzzles me that there is no clear leader. Who is driving the group? There does not appear to be any chieftain or laird in charge, but why would they kill just to kill? As far as we know, they are not stealing sheep or grain. I know not what they are about.” Aedan winced and gave Jennie a quick glare. “Are you that angry with me today, lass, that you wish to rip off my skin yourself?”
    Jennie smirked. “My apologies, I have often been told that I am a wee bit aggressive when it comes to cleaning my wounds.”
    Aggie entered the room with more water.
    “My thanks, Aggie.”
    Aedan waved at Neil. “Go now. Find out how the lads fare and who else needs stitching. See if anyone remembers aught about the attackers.”
    Neil left the room and Aggie followed him, leaving them alone together.
    Aedan glanced at Jennie. “Can you not start the stitches soon so we can be done with it?”
    “Aye, I am about to begin. You are prepared?”
    “Just be done with it, lass. Clearly ’tis not my first time. I’ll deal with it.” He rested his head on the pillow and stared into space.
    Jennie began her stitches, carefully placing each one, humming as she moved along.
    “You no longer sound like one who detests the job of healing.”
    “’Tis no job, ’tis an art. And this part is pleasing to me.”
    He lifted his gaze to catch hers and then glanced down to see exactly what she was doing to him. “Lass, you look like I do on the darkest of nights.”
    “What do you mean?” She returned her attention to her sewing, but was interested to hear his response.
    He rested his head back on the pillow and stared at the wall. “I love dark starry nights most of all.”
    “You mean you’re not happiest while in a battle like most Highlander lads?”
    His eyes widened. “Nay, I don’t like warring at all. I only do it because I must. I am obligated as chieftain to protect my clan, which includes the abbey. If I lose the battle, who knows what will happen to my sire in heaven.”
    “You’re an honorable lad,” she said softly. “I don’t think you need to worry about your sire’s place in heaven.”
    “Mayhap not. But do you not ever wonder about the stars at night? Did you know there are men who study them? The patterns in the sky are basically the same, and these men have named some of the patterns.”
    Her brow furrowed. “Hmmm. I guess I haven’t thought much about it. I haven’t really spent much time looking at them.”
    “Lass,” he said with a sigh. “You know not what you are missing. They’re so beautiful, so exciting. I’ve always wondered what they are made of. Are they balls of fire? Why are some stars clustered in groups, almost as if they create shapes? Why do they not always shine with the same strength? And on a dark stormy night, do you not wonder what makes lightning? ’Tis so bright, and all across our land there are tales of balls of fire hitting the ground. Why does a strike of lightning take a man’s life?”
    She laughed. “Those are quite a few questions. I see we