“No.” She released his arm and swept closer to Lorna. “Where did ye come by those clothes? I willna have a thief in my employ.”
Before Gunn could object, Lorna stepped forward, closing the distance between herself and Lady Murdina. “Ye should consider yerself a verra fortunate woman, m’lady, to have achieved a union with such a charitable man. Chieftain Sinclair discovered I had gone wanting and ordered that I would never go wanting again.”
Gunn nearly groaned at the lovely Lorna’s choice of words.
The corner of Lady Murdina’s eye twitched harder. “Indeed,” she replied with a low growl. “Step aside so I might see how my son is faring.”
Lorna offered the woman an insulting bow and swept to one side.
“What is that sorry chit doing at this table?” Lady Murdina pointed at Hesther.
“Hesther is only eleven years old,” Lorna said, her tone daring the woman to challenge her. “Much too young to be a proper lady’s maid. She belongs with Bella and Frances.”
“She belongs in the kitchens scrubbing floors or in the stables shoveling manure.” The snarling matron swept forward until she stood toe-to-toe with Lorna. “Ye are naught but a servant yerself. How dare ye attempt to control those I own.”
“Mistress Lorna does not control anyone,” Gunn said. Every person present went still as his thunderous tone carried throughout the room. It was all he could do not to bare his teeth and growl. “This is my keep, and all that happens within it is by my command. Is that clear, m’lady?”
Lady Murdina bowed her head. “Aye, my chieftain.”
“Besides,” he continued, “Mrs. Thistlewick provided ye with a more experienced lady’s maid. Did she not?”
The lady lifted her head but kept her gaze submissively lowered. “Aye, my chieftain. She did at that.” She folded her hands in front of her waist and meekly returned to his side. “It appears we have gotten off on poor footing.” She tipped her head again, almost fawning. “I blame my ill temper and beg yer forgiveness. I also beg that ye give me another chance. Travel has frayed my nerves. As have worries about my future.” Lady Murdina offered a hesitant smile that was almost convincing. “Allow me to prove myself. To prove I am not the screeching harpy I have portrayed myself to be.”
Gunn studied her, weighing her apparent remorse. Perhaps he had not given her a fair chance. His own behavior regarding her had been somewhat unfair as well.
A sense of shame filled him as he shifted his gaze to Lorna. He had not treated Lady Murdina properly because he had allowed himself to be distracted by something that could never be. He needed a woman he would never be in danger of loving. With all his being, he knew he would never love Lady Murdina. The mysterious connection that created an unexplainable, loving bond just wasn’t there.
“Please, my chieftain,” she prompted softly. “Gunn?”
“We will start anew.” He took her hand and brushed a kiss across it, forcing himself not to recoil. “Come, m’lady. Let us take our places at the table, aye?”
“Indeed.” She slid her arm through his, pressing close enough to rub the curve of her breast against his arm. “The hall is verra fine and toasty warm.” As they walked, she wriggled against him like a stable cat vying to be petted.
He assumed she meant to be seductive, but all she really did was remind him of a drunk whore who had yet to be picked for the last tumble of the evening. Desperation reeked from her like rancid oil.
He pulled in a deep breath and eased it out. Such a mindset would not do. It was more than likely his fault she behaved the way she did. He had not kept to his word to give her a fair chance. Now was the time to do better.
He disentangled himself from her cloying grasp and pulled out her chair. “M’lady.”
As she seated herself and arranged her voluminous skirts, he couldn’t keep his gaze from straying back to the children’s table. Renewed irritation surged through him at the sight of Jasper towering over Lorna as she sat with the younglings. That she kept a hand resting across her neckline in a demure attempt at modesty eased his frustrations somewhat. At least she was not whoring for the war chief’s attention.
“Gunn?” Lady Murdina asked.
“Aye?” He turned back to her, damning himself for not paying attention.
“I asked if the dark-haired lass is yer daughter?” Her smile was strained, attempting to belie the indignation flashing in her eyes. The woman was not a fool. She knew his focus had strayed yet again.
“Aye. That is my precious Bella, my greatest treasure.” Pride and so much more swelled in his chest as he watched his wee lass laughing and chattering with the other children and Lorna. “My heart overflows with joy at seeing her so happy.”
“I fear I may have made a poor impression on her,” Lady Murdina said. “Because of my outburst. Is that why ye chose not to introduce us?”
Actually, introductions had slipped his mind, but he wasn’t about to admit it. He waved a maid forward to fill their goblets. “Knowing my Bella, I think it is better that we allow her to come to ye in her own good time.” He gave himself more time to come up with a suitable tale by sipping his wine. “After all, if all goes as planned, ye will be the third woman to assume the role of her mother. She could be leery of becoming attached, then losing ye as she did her mother and first stepmother.”
Lady Murdina appeared to swallow the lie as easily as she emptied her glass. When she noticed his amazement at her draining the goblet, she fanned herself while holding it up for more. “Forgive me. I am not a drunkard, I assure ye. My thirst is wretched from the trip.”
“No doubt.” Gunn motioned for the maid and took the wine pitcher from her. “We will keep this one here, aye?”
“Aye, my chieftain.” The smiling young lass bobbed a curtsy then scurried away.
