Sorchanodded, mildly amused by his irritation. She ordered a page to fetch a benchfor the men to sit on as well as wine for them to drink. Her amusement fadedquickly when Sir Simon named his terms. He wanted a great deal for Dougal’slife. For one solid hour they bartered, always polite, yet each determined towin the bargaining. At one point Neil rose to her feet in anger, slamming herfist on the table, sending several tankards bouncing hazardly close to a fall,and causing all three Englishmen to forget their manners, staring at her ingaping wonder. Sorcha took quick advantage of their astonishment, but onlygained a small decrease in the ransom.
Throughoutthe negotiations Sorcha’s unease grew. Sir Simon Treacher only took his eyesoff her once—when Neil stood up in all her infuriated glory. The man wascertainly trying to use the power of his unblinking gaze to make her bow to hisdemands, but there was more. As he bargained, a gleam of interest entered hiseyes, a hungry look that made her skin crawl. She fought the urge to concede tohis demands just to make him leave. Robert’s increasingly dark look told Sorchashe was not imagining Sir Simon’s lecherous stare.
Whenthe negotiations were complete, the price and the place of exchange agreed to,Sorcha rose from her seat. She eyed Sir Simon’s approach and extended handwarily, but could not ignore him. Such an insult could easily cost Dougal hislife. He took her hand, slowly drew it to his lips, and kissed her fingers.There was nothing specifically offensive in the way he kissed her hand, but shecould not shake the feeling she had just suffered an unwelcome advance. Themoment he left, she sat down, poured herself some mead, and took a longrestoring drink of the sweet honey wine.
“Ifeel as if I have just been privy to a seduction,” muttered Robert as he helpedhimself to some mead.
“Aye,”agreed Neil, scowling at the door. “That Sassenach wriggled in here like theadder he is and was eager to coil himself around our Sorcha.”
“Howverra colorfully put, Aunt Neil.” Sorcha sighed, slumping in the chair and idlydrumming her fingers on the ornately carved arm. “Between his looks and histouch, I do feel almost ravished.”
“Mayhapsomeone else should go to the meeting to pay for Dougal’s release.”
“Nay,Aunt. I must go. The English may scorn the idea of a woman dabbling in a mon’sbusiness, but they understand that I act as laird in Dougal’s place. They coulddeem it an insult if I send someone they consider an underling. And, if theydinnae see the emissary they expect, they could also fear a trick, and thatwould endanger Dougal.”
“Aye,”said Robert, “and we cannae afford to insult the English. They need no newreason to raid our lands.” He looked at Sorcha. “Howbeit, that mon looked tooeager to get his hands on you. Ye will go to that meeting with at least fourmen and Neil. ‘Tisnae a big enough force to cause any alarm or insult to thosecursed English, but enough to make Sir Simon Treacher think again aboutattempting to sate his lust for you.”
“Mayhapye are right, although I dinnae like the idea of taking men away from Dunweare.”
“Wecan spare them. Now, ye had best prepare the message ye wish to send to theKerrs of Gartmhor.”
“Ishall take great pleasure in throttling my brother when next I see him.”
“Sorcha,I cannae find Beatham,” Margaret cried as she raced into the hall, not slowingin her reckless pace until she stumbled to a graceless halt in front of thetable.
“Idinnae think he has escaped,” Sorcha said as Neil handed the disheveledMargaret a tankard of mead.
“Thenwhere is he? He certainly isnae in his chamber.”
“Thelad was up and about this morning,” said Neil. “He was also asking a great manyquestions about his cousin Sir Ruari.”
“Haveye looked in Sir Ruari’s chamber, Margaret?” Sorcha asked.
“Oh.Nay.” Margaret gulped down her mead and headed out of the great hall.
“Ifye dinnae find him there, we shall begin a search,” Sorcha called after hercousin.
“Mayhapye ought to go with her,” suggested Robert.
“Assoon as I decide what message to send to the Kerrs, I will go and see what ourprisoners are doing.” She sighed wearily and shook her head. “They are no doubtplotting an escape. The good Lord clearly feels I dinnae have enough troubleupon my table.”
“Idinnae think ye look weel enough to attempt an escape, Cousin,” Beatham toldRuari as he helped the man get a drink of hearty cider.
“Iwill be in another day or two.” Ruari winced and softly cursed as he eased hisaching body into a seated position. “Most of my pain has eased, and my woundsalready begin to close.”
“True,but ye are still weak.” Beatham made himself comfortable at the foot of the bigbed.
“Itwillnae be long before I have the strength to crawl out of this vulture’s nest.”
“Vulture’snest? Come, Cousin, ‘tis not so verra bad here. I ken that being held forransom isnae something to be enjoyed or wished for, but the women here seemverra nice.”
“Theyare all quite thoroughly mad, their wits scattered to the four winds likethistledown.”
“Margaret’swits arenae scattered.”
“Margaretsimply lacks enough wit for it to be scattered.”
“Herenow, ye shouldnae speak of her in such a scornful manner.”
