Prescribed for Love Read Free Page A

warily as she was entered the keep. Her and Alasdair ’s progress only s lowed long enough to dismount before continuing into the castle . They did not stop until they arrived before a chamber door.
    Cat actually became a bit nervous when she saw how Alasdair paused before knocking . The way he braced himself made it painfully clear how distressed he was for his sister. Once invited to enter, h e opened the door and directed Cat toward the bed before he headed to the furthest corner , presumably to allow for privacy . Catriona tentatively approached the girl’s side; she truly did look ver y sick. In all honesty, Cat did not know much about diagnosing diseases. She had gone into pharmacy school because medicine fascinated her, but had no desire to actually touch anyone. Looking briefly back at Alasdair , she was moved by the concern for his sister t hat was etched so clearly on his face; Cat hoped she would not disappoint him. Wait a second… why am I so worried? This is my dream; of co urse I’ll know how to help her!
    “Are ye the witch my brother rushed away to retrieve?” asked the bedridden girl .
    Cat could not bring herself to lie to someone so desperately sick, not even in a dream. “No. I didn’t even know he thought I was a witch,” responded Cat. “ I arrived at the hut where w e met just moments before he showed up. I guess that must have been the witch’s residence. ” Seeing the girls face drop in disappointment, she quickly continued, “But when he asked for my help I agreed to come. Luckily, I am actually a healer.” Cat figured that was not really a falsehood. With her twenty-first century knowledge, she reasoned she automatically knew more about medicine than anyone in this time period.
    “Th en who are ye?” asked the girl.
    “My name is Catriona, but everyone calls me Cat. What is your name by the way? Alasdair never told me.”
    “ Ailsa,” she replied.
    “Well Ailsa, I may not be the witch, but I would still like to try to help you . Would you mind if I tried?” asked Cat .
    “Nay , I dinnae mind,” replied Ailsa, “I think it might give my brother some peace knowing his effort was nae for naught.”
    “Excellent!” exclaime d Cat. She was glad the girl was going to give her an opportunity to help. “I just need to ask you a few questions.”
    ***
    As Alasdair watched the witch converse with his sister, he grew increasingly p ensive . She had talked to Ailsa for nearly a quarter of an hour, yet had taken no action. By his reasoning, she should have performed some spell or incantation by now. Does this mean there is nothing that can be done? Is my sister t ruly doomed to waste away? With the s e dark thought s , Alasdair began to edge closer in hopes of overhearing the ir conversation—what he heard astounded him.
    “What is this nonsense of which ye speak ?” interrupted Alasdair , “I ask ye to help my sister, and instead ye tell her to starve herself?”
    “I’m not telling Ailsa to starve herself. I’m just telling her to stop eating things like bread,” replied the witch , “She has a disease which prevents the body from digesting gluten. T his is why she is malnourished. Trust me, if she does as I say, she will be as good as new in no time.”
    “ What is this disease ? I have nae heard of such a thing !” growled Alasdair .
    “Look, you asked me to come with you to help her, and that is what I am trying to do . If you will just allow her to follow my advice, you will quickly see her improve ,” said the witch testily.
    “ Yer advice is fool - headed . ” Spying the witch’s bag, inspiration struck Alasdair . “ Give me yer satchel,” ordered Alasdair as he took the bag from her shoulder . “T here must be somet hing within to help her, ” he murmured as he started to sift through the bag’s contents. At the top he found what he thought must be her spell book . Hopeful the pages might contain some form of cure, Alasdair immediately began to flip through