Surreptitiously tearing off a small crumb of her trencher, she left the table.
She managed to make it to her chamber without losing her supper.But she still felt sick inside.
When she opened the door, Twinkle was waiting for his crumb.She gave him a fond greeting, but as she fed the sweet little rat his morsel of bread, her eyes filled with tears.Tears of pain and despair, anger and frustration.
She’d been a fool.
Ofcoursehe meant to butcher Hamish.It was probably how he was paying for his stay at Kildunan.
To imagine a fierce warrior like Hew of Rivenloch would care a whit about her beloved coo was ridiculous.Men like him slew other men without a second thought.How much less could he care for a coo?
Twinkle finished his meal, then washed his face and scampered off to his home in the crack of the wall.
Carenza palmed away her tears.Then she began to pace, winding one braid around her finger.
She couldn’t allow Hamish to be slaughtered.
What could she do?
It was too late for another midnight raid to rescue the animal.She couldn’t fortify the guard’s ale again.Her costume was in tatters.Besides, the monastery would be locked up tight.
As she undressed and climbed into bed, she vowed she would muster her courage on the morrow.She’d stand up to the Rivenloch warrior.She’d remind him of his promise in no uncertain terms.And refresh his memory about his debt to Hamish.
She’d have to confront him when he first arrived.Alone.Where her father couldn’t see the venomous fire in his gentle daughter’s eyes.Or hear the sharp edge in her sweet voice.
At least it wasn’t raining, Hew thought as he traveled along the rutted road to Dunlop the next morn.He’d bathed at dawn and dressed in the finest clothing he’d brought—a fresh white leine with dark gray trews and a gray and black plaid over it all.
It was appropriate attire, he thought, for a Samhain supper.
It was not so suitable for leading a shaggy coo down the road.
But he didn’t intend to let Lady Carenza fret another day over her animal.He knew she likely suffered every moment she was away from him.
“I suppose I look like a simpleton, eh, Hamish, dressed in my best to deliver a coo?”
Hamish had no reply.
“Well, it might surprise you to know, it wouldn’t be the first time I made a fool of myself for love.”
That stopped him abruptly in his tracks.
Love?
What the devil was he saying?
This wasn’t love.He’d sworn off love.
Hamish mooed, then plodded forward again, pulling him along.
“Oh aye, I know your mistress is a beauty.She’s also kind.Gentle.Sweet.Bright.Sensitive.Generous.The kind of woman any man would be proud to have by his side.But I don’t need to tell you that, do I, Hamish?”
He gave the beast a fond pat.
“Nay, ’tis only that I’m through with women.Oh, they seem innocent enough, luring a man in with their honeyed words and their soft bodies.But they ultimately only break a man’s heart.”
Hamish seemed disinterested.
Hew murmured, “I told your mistress I mean to take my vows at the monastery.’Tisn’t true.But I do mean to keep my vow of chastity.”
