“The food’s for her,” he said, jerking his chin in Melody’s direction. “I’m nae a monster, am I?”
“So kind of ye to bring it yerself,” Sophie murmured thoughtfully. “But come now, I have told ye that I didnae send her. She told ye herself that she’s nae here to seduce ye. Why, look at the poor wee lass. She could nae seduce abroomstick.”
Callum blinked, rocking back on his heels.
Melody bridled. “Am Imeantto be seducing broomsticks?” she retorted, wary of offending her only ally but simultaneously very hurt.
Sophie ignored her. “Well, then, give her the food.”
“I am nae sure I want to, nae now that ye are here to help her escape,” Callum shot back. He stepped forward, pushing the tray toward Melody without looking at her. She took it, since it seemed very likely that he’d drop it otherwise.
“Daenae throw such accusations around, Callum” Sophie soothed. “There’s nay talk of escape.”
“There had better nae be. I am Laird of this Keep, and nobody has the right to supersede my authority.”
There was a brief silence after that, with Callum and his grandmother’s gazes locked together, the air simmering between them. It seemed a bad idea to break the silence. So, of course, Melody did just that.
“Lord… um, Laird MacDean, isn’t it?” she ventured tentatively, “Lady Sophie never said anything about taking me out of the cell. I… I rather think she was just making sure that I was comfortable.”
Shimmering gold-green eyes swiveled around to rest on her, glowering. Swallowing, Melody forced herself to hold his gaze.
“Oh, yejust think, do ye?” he responded, his voice cold. “Since ye are the root cause of all this trouble, I’d suggest that ye stay very quiet for a minute or two, lass.”
The injustice of it all scraped at Melody’s insides. Putting down the tray with a rattle, she took a step forward, lifting her chin andglaringat him.
“I’d say thatyouare the cause of all this trouble, Lord—Laird—MacDean, since you have entirely overreacted.”
“Overreacted?” he spluttered.
“Yes. I told you why I was here…”
“Actually, ye didnae,” he interrupted. “Ye told me why ye werenaehere. That’s nae the same thing.”
She flushed. “Still, I am not here to seduce you, if that’s your concern, and your grandmother has confirmed my story. Now, if you intend to leave me here to languish in this cell, I’d appreciate a little privacy. I have a feeling that I will be sleeping here tonight, and as sleep will doubtless be impossible, I’d best get a head start on it. If you intend to stay here and scold me, then I must insist that somebody fetches a chair or stool for Lady Sophie, as she seemsveryunsteady on her feet, and nobody would wish her to fall over!”
She ended her impassioned speech with a sharp intake of air.
Callum blinked slowly, like a cat.
Well, very cleverly done, Melody. Now, instead of one night in this awful cell, you’re probably going to be left here for a week. They’ll probably take your blankets away, too. And why is his gaze so intense?
4
Callum glanced over at his grandmother, and his expression hardened.
“She’s right, Grandmother. Ye can’t cannae stand here. Here, take my arm.”
Sophie growled. “I am not nae leavingleavin’.”
“Oh, but ye are. If ye insist on stayingstayin’, I’ll fetch Jane and tell her that ye are wandering wanderin’ around in the damp, cold dungeons.”
Melody had no idea who Jane was, but Sophie scowled at the mention of her anyway.
“I’m not nae leaving leavin’ without the lass. Callum, reconsider. Is a night in the cell a suitable punishment for someone who was only in the wrong place at the wrong time?” Sophie totteredforward, reaching out a gnarled hand to place on Callum’s muscled forearm. “The lass willnae not be allowed to leave without yer say-so. Let me put her in a decent bed, just for tonight.”
Callum let out a long, slow exhale. “Very well. One night, and she’s to be locked in. And she will leave in the morningmornin’, do ye hear?”
“Not Nae before breakfast, surely?”
