“And tossing her skirts along with every whore in Stirling. I hope you don’t catch aught,Maggie.” Caitlyn stressed the nickname Margaret loathed, claiming only chamber maids had the name Maggie.
“At least I’m not brown,” Margaret hurled back at Caitlyn. It was Margaret’s fallback insult whenever she could think of nothing better. Caitlyn had heard it from the woman and others enough times that it no longer hurt, but it still angered her.
“Aye, and I can enjoy a summer day without looking like a bushel of shriveled hindberries.” Caitlyn grinned as she recalled the sunburn the woman received while observing an archery tournament. She’d matched the raspberries Caitlyn called her.
“That happened because I’m a proper lady.Ma mère n'est pas une pute française,” Margaret sneered. Caitlyn had heard her mother called a French whore nearly as often as she’d heard people label her a Saracen harem member. How she wished no Scot ever rode off to the Crusades. They would be none the wiser to how others lived in far-flung locales. “Naught to say now?”
“Au moins, mon visage n'a pas l'air d'essayer toujours de chier,” Caitlyn grinned, knowing neither Sarah Anne nor Margaret spoke French well enough to understand, but Blythe did.
“Her face does look like she’s always trying to shite!” Blythe giggled. Margaret snapped her mouth shut, realizing she couldn’t hurl rivaling insults in either language at Caitlyn. She squirmed in her seat, but Sarah Anne wasn’t finished.
“The only thing I can say in your favor is that at least you don’t resemble a Saracen as much as your filthy sister. God made her that dark to show the evil within her.”
Caitlyn rose from the table and leaned over until her nose nearly touched Sarah Anne’s. “The only reason I’m not slapping the smirk off your hideous face is because the queen is present. You’d be wise to stay away from me when her presence isn’t there to save you. I have my mother’s French temper. My handprint will leave your cheek redder than any summer sun.” Caitlyn flashed her gaze at Margaret and the other ladies who’d encouraged her nemeses by nodding and smiling. “The only thing in your favor is that you’re notfaux-cullike some. Your face is always ugly, but never one way in front of me and another behind my back.”
Caitlyn left the table as the music began and wove through the diners, preparing for the evening’s entertainment. She found a spot in line for a country reel, forcing herself to calm. Her racing heart made heat pour from her cheeks. She glanced at Alex, who watched her. His inquisitive stare told her he’d seen her exchange with Margaret. A dip of her chin was all she gave him before she turned her attention to her partner. She wanted to groan. Liam Oliphant stood before her.
“Lady Caitlyn, you were having a lively conversation with Lady Margaret,” the other woman’s suitor mused.
“We were of a different opinion on a matter,” Caitlyn hedged, wishing the musicians hurried to play the tune that way she could switch to another partner.
“Aboot Alexander Armstrong, no doubt,” Liam smirked. Caitlyn said nothing, which flustered Liam. “Am I right?”
“If you have no doubt, then you are certain you are right. Does it matter if I disagree?”
“Not you too,” Liam grumbled.
“Me too, what?” Caitlyn wished she hadn’t asked once the words left her mouth. She regretted engaging with Liam.
“You have a way with words that’s reminiscent of the Shrew of Stirling,” Liam stated.
“I would err on the side of caution speaking aboot Lady Campbell like that. Her brother arrived yesterday.” Caitlyn pressed her lips together as Liam frantically searched for Montgomery Ross as the music guided them to switch partners. She glanced at Alex, wishing he might partner with her to rescue her from the men, but she accepted it was more likely to snow in hell before he would join the dancers. She realized that despite their heated words, she still trusted him with her wellbeing.
“Lady Caitlyn,” her new partner greeted her with a lascivious smile. She couldn’t recall the man’s name, but she believed he was a Maxwell. It was moments like this when she wished Lowland men wore plaids like the Highlanders. It made it easier to recognize from which clan they hailed. Caitlyn knew birds of a feather often flocked together from the same clan. If she could avoid men she was certain held little value in honoring a woman’s reputation, she might have an easier life at court. “You look enchanting tonight.”
“Thank you,” Caitlyn nodded and forced a smile. She regretted it, since the man took it as encouragement and drew her closer. “You know my name, but I am at a loss to yours.”
“Christopher Scott, my lady.”
Caitlyn’s eyes darted to Alex, who’d risen and glared at her. He must have read her panic because his expression remained angry, but she was certain it was no longer directed at her.
“Worried Armstrong won’t enjoy watching us together?” Christopher guessed. “Will he pry you out of my arms? That shall be hard when I have one arm around you and the other swatting him away. However will he move me and take hold of you?”
“Take hold? You assume I wouldn’t go to him,” Caitlyn stated as she peered down her nose at her partner, which was no small feat since she was at least two heads shorter than him. The music called for her to twirl, allowing her to spot Alex standing near the wall, watching them. A small flick of his hand told her what she needed. When the music called for her to step back from Christopher, she moved far enough that it forced the woman to her right to take her place.
“I’ll take you to your chamber,” Alex said.
“Thank you,” Caitlyn whispered. “He did it purposely to antagonize you.”
“Did he scare you, Caity?” Caitlyn hesitated to be truthful, but that hesitation told Alex everything he needed to understand. “I know you didn’t want to dance with him, but you must avoid the Scotts, even after I leave. It’s no secret that I’m close to your family. I don’t want them anywhere near you, especially since I can’t protect you.”
Caitlyn stopped short, glancing back over her shoulder. “Am I still with him? Did I not know I could turn to you and be safe? Stop saying you can’t protect me.” She wanted to stomp her foot by the time she finished speaking.
“We’re fortunate he didn’t follow us. What could I have done?”
“Then what’s the point of you even walking with me, Alex. If you’re so worthless, then why bother with me?” Caitlyn didn’t wait for Alex’s answer. She took the stairs they reached as quickly as she dared in the dim light. She sensed Alex followed her this time, but he said nothing. When she reached her door, she glanced back. She recognized his form at the top of the stairs before she slipped into her chamber.
* * *
