She nodded. She wasnotall right of course, not even close, but she would be damned if she would admit that in front of him and his men.
Reid released her and Malcolm, who seemed to be Reid’s second-in-command, strode over. “I’ll take her to the cells,” he announced, giving her a dark look. “It’s more than the witch deserves but—”
He halted as the dogs suddenly blocked his path. They pulled their teeth back in a snarl.
“What are ye doing, ye stupid beasts?” Malcolm snapped. “Ye know me!”
“Yes, and they obviously know an idiot when they see one!” Abi snapped. Take her to the cells would he? She’d see about that!
The men laughed and one of them shouted, “The lass has got yer measure already, Malcolm!”
Malcolm scowled and his eyes flashed with anger. “Shut yer damned mouth or I’ll shut it for ye!”
“Oh, will ye now?” said the man who’d spoken, stepping forward. “I’d like to see ye try!”
“Enough!” Reid roared. He stepped between the two men and glared at them. They subsided into silence. “Iwill see to the lass. She’ll be a guest in the castle until I figure out what to do with her.”
“But, my lord,” Malcolm replied. “She’s a witch and a Muir spy! Surely ye canna—”
“Are ye questioning my orders?” Reid growled. His piercing gaze fixed on Malcolm and for an instant, violence crackled in the air.
Malcolm stepped back. “Nay, my lord.” The look he shot at Abi was pure venom.
“Good. Get some food. We begin training in an hour.”
There were grumbles of protest at this but the men dispersed, leaving Abi alone in the courtyard with Reid. He turned to look at her and opened his mouth as if about to say something but then changed his mind.
“This way.”
Without waiting for her reply, he strode off with the dogs trotting behind, leaving Abi no choice but to follow. They passed through a high, wide door and into an echoing hallway. Ahead, a small, thin man was hurrying towards them.
“Ah! A word, my lord, if ye will! Thank goodness ye are back!”
Reid slowed and Abi swore she saw him gritting his teeth. “What is it, Martin?”
“There’s been a bit of a mix-up with the food supplies. Arnold and Graeme thought they were on guard duty so didnae go hunting. We’ve no fresh meat.”
Reid rubbed at his temple. “Who told Arnold and Graeme they were on guard duty?”
“Um...I’m not sure my lord.”
“And whowason guard duty?”
“Christopher and Stuart. But they thought it was their day off so they’ve been drinking all day.”
“Damn it all!” Reid snapped. “Can I not leave the castle for one day without all hell breaking loose? Ye are the castellan are ye not? Deal with it! Organize a hunting party to go hunt for game and someone throw those layabouts in the river to sober them up.”
“Aye, my lord. Who?”
“I dinna care! Just get it done!”
The thin man bobbed his head and scurried away. Reid exhaled sharply, then continued along the corridor, leading Abi to a set of steps. She followed him up and found herself in another broad hallway, this one with five doors leading off. Reid opened one of the doors and indicated for her to go inside.
Abi considered making a run for it. She most definitely didnotwant to go into a room with this man. But how far would she get? There were guards on the gate and Reid’s men in the valley.
And besides, hadn’t he promised not to harm her?
She walked into the room and was surprised to find, not a cell, but a beautifully appointed bedroom. The furnishings were antique-looking, carved of a dark wood with brocade curtains and bed covers. A fireplace big enough to stand in dominated one side of the room.
