A glance toward Malcolm refilling his own mead, after offering no more than a shrug at the awkward exchange, made Lachlann’s ire rise. Quite a bit.
“Ethne?” Domelch’s eyes narrowed on her.
The lass immediately stopped her struggle to get out from the large man’s grasp, her gaze steadfastly landing on Domelch’s stern expression. Uradech caressed her arm, a smile on his ugly face. Ethne stiffened at the intimate gesture.
“Do as ye should.” The irritated command came from Malcolm, but he barely glanced their way. No doubt he had spoken at the urging of Domelch, who had turned her frown on the man. An effective gesture.
Lachlann stood before he’d even considered what he would do.
“Come.” Lachlann extended a hand to assist Domelch, who gasped with pleasure at the gallant gesture, smiling and fawning as he took her hand just as he knew she would. “Surely, ye are famished.”
After Lachlann saw her settled closer to the fire—more of a plopping down with her round belly—the woman immediately started chatting with Niall and Aldred and forgot all about Ethne. Lachlann came alongside Ethne and, giving no warning, shoved Uradech from her side. With his sister’s back to them, the man had no recourse but to trot off to a spot at the feet of “m’lady,” like any good dog.
“Allow me to assist,” Lachlann said in a quiet voice, standing beside Ethne.
The corners of her lips turned up ever so slightly, revealing her appreciation. When her gaze turned back to the others, she shied toward him. She was sore afraid.
He hated to see a lady in distress.
* * *
Outside the cave, a cool breeze blew in off the sea where Ethne crouched low and rubbed the sand into the pot, adding more water to get a good paste. Finn played nearby as she cleaned while the rest had gone off to the shore. She kept an eye on them. Uradech hung on every word from his sister.Ugh.The man was intolerable, and when she’d been awakened by his hand sliding up her leg, she had taken in a breath, ready to scream until he shushed her.
“This is what they want, and ye know it,” he’d said.
That realization alone gave her the strength to clamp her knees together as tight as she could and voice her objection. Then Lachlann was there. His determined expression once he’d yanked Uradech away had made her heart soar.
In her imagination, she’d been brave, cupping his cheek and telling him how much his protection meant to her. But when he asked if there was anything he could do for her, she managed to keep from begging him to take her some place safe. Deep down, she knew there was nothing he could do to help her. Besides, he’d be gone soon.
“Look what I found.” Finn held a shiny object between his fingers.
She rinsed the last of the mud out of the pot, left the item upside down to dry, and came closer. “Another coin.”
He beamed.
“And see? The same tiny hole…right…there!”
“Right near the man’s head?” he asked, even though he knew the answer.
She smiled, an expression she hoped spoke of her pride in him.
He made a face, the silver close to his face to study it. “He is a funny looking man.”
“He was a king.”
“And that is why they made the coin in his image.” Finn recited the information he’d heard from her many times before.
Ethne tapped his nose. “And someday ye will wear this hanging from around yer neck. Ye will be verra wealthy.”
“I will.”
“But ye must not tell anyone,” she whispered, her wide eyes keeping his attention. “It shall be our secret.”
His eyes widened as well. “A secret. Our secret.” He inspected the coin. “Can we tell Lachlann?”
Her breath caught at the boy’s perception. “Why would we do that?”
“He can be trusted.”
