Sean glanced around. More than half the men were Normans and their voices did carry. That also meant there were plenty here that weren’t Normans.
“I dunna look for trouble. I have plenty of my own.”
“You don’t look like a stupid man, Sean.” Ivan took a wary step back. “You look like a man that protects what’s your own and does not care for others taking it from you.”
A punch to the gut couldn’t have been more soundly felt. This man was trouble and he egged him on. Sean took a deep cleansing breath. A man of action but it was action of his own choosing.
“Every Eire man would look out for his own. Talk like yers is trouble.” He started to move away but Ivan grabbed him with an iron fist. Sean narrowed his eyes and moved in close to the man’s face. “Either release my arm or ye’ll be parting with that hand.”
Ivan released Sean as if he’d been burned. He held his hand up in a display of contrition. “My apologies, man. I get a little excited.”
“Yea.” With a tight jaw, Sean stepped further into the room and away from the little man. Alarm bells sounded when the bald man moved to stand beside Tommy’s table. Sean crossed to her in six strides, his hand pulling at the hilt of his sword.
“And what are ye about, youngling? Are ye up to nae good?” The bald man slurred his words and seemed to have a difficult time standing upright.
Sean breathed again, releasing the sword. The petrified look on Tommy’s face tightened his gut. With a firm hand on the man’s shoulder, Sean yanked him away from the table. The man stumbled back, cursing, as he tried to get his feet beneath him. The room became silent. All eyes were on them.
They did not need this type of attention. He took a protective step toward the table. “My companion prefers to be left alone while he’s eating. That would mean ye.”
“Me?” He brushed off his tunic and adjusted it.
Sean stepped back. He felt a surprisingly keen sense of disappointment at the other man’s lack of offense. A fight now would have been enjoyable. Help to ease his tension. Then again, that would put Tommy in harm’s way, exposing her for the tempting female that she was.
Tommy looked away as if trying to ignore the man who again teetered closer as if insisting on conversing with her.
Sean shoved the man away. “Back away!”
Ivan helped the bald man to stand. “What is amiss?”
“This man took offense at me conversing with his companion,” the bald man said, again righting his clothing.
Ivan glanced toward Tommy but Sean stepped in to block his view.
“He doesn’t want you talking to the lad?” Ivan asked.
“S’pose not.” The bald man scratched at his jaw. “Don’t ken why not. Ye?”
The sides of Ivan’s mouth dropped down and he shook his head. “Damned if I know.”
Once the two walked away without incident, the room quickly filled with the sound of men continuing in their own conversation. Sean turned back toward the table. Both Tommy’s food and drink were gone. He caught a glimpse of the serving wench moving among the ever growing crowd of hungry men.
“More drink here.” Sean raised his hand, speaking loudly over the din in the room. She nodded but when she reached for the stronger brew, he waved his hand. “Nae. The cider.”
Nell paused as if confused. He gestured toward Tommy’s cup. She gave an exasperated sigh. She brought it to the table amidst raucous hollers and suggestive slaps. She all but slammed it on the table, sloshing the liquid, her eyes boring into Tommy.
“Here. It. Is.”
Tommy still had her eyes averted.
“Nae. NAE! Ye pour the drink here, dunna ye?” Damn, why was she being so miserable to Tommy?
Nell gave him a sideway glance and smirked. “Well, if you want your littleladto have more to drink, then I think you best be pouring it yourself.”
When she would have sauntered off in a huff, Sean placed his hand on her arm, then smiled. “Thank ye, Nell.”
She batted her eyes at him, her lips curling into a suggestive little bow as if just now remembering her own interest in him.
“Ye need not find me after yer done serving.” His nostrils flared. His jaw tight. “I doubt I’d get any satisfaction now that I see how ye treat yer customers.”
