Enough, he decided.
Enough to know that in doing so, he’d flagrantly broken his word to the abbot.
Enough to put his investigative process at risk.
Enough to endanger his discovery if Carenza couldn’t be trusted with his secret.
The lass asked too many questions.And she no doubt had many more.
This entire scheme of hiding Hew from the king by stashing him in a monastery and putting him to work hunting down a thief had been ridiculous.
First of all, keeping a secret in the Dunlop clan was impossible.Already, half the Highlands knew Sir Hew of Rivenloch was staying at Kildunan.And now Carenza was privy to his highly confidential mission.
Would she keep that confidence?Or compromise his efforts?
How long would it be before Father James began to suspect the odd guest at Kildunan was up to more than taking his ease at the monastery?How long before news of Hew’s whereabouts reached the king’s ears?
He sighed.His head had begun to throb again.
Despite the pain, he resolved that he was done with opium wine.It made him far too vulnerable.
“Sir Hew?”Carenza called softly.
“Aye?”
“I’m beginnin’ to feel…strange.”
“Are you?”
“Aye.Like I’m floatin’ on a cloud.”
“Where else would an angel dwell?”
“Awww.”She sounded pleased.
That pleased him.But flirting with her was a mistake, considering how easily aroused he was.
“Ye, sir, have a smooth tongue,” she said.
All the better to lick your delicious skin.
That was what he thought.But Carenza was an innocent.Not some randy wench to be wooed with nasty innuendos.So what he said was, “You inspire me, my lady.”
She giggled.It was an adorable sound.The opium must be relaxing her.
“I feel so…so happy.”
He couldn’t help but smile at that.“What makes you happy?”
“My animals,” she said on a sigh.“My animals make me happy.”
Animals, as in more than just Hamish?How many did she have?
Before he could ask her, she began listing them, poking up a finger for each one.“I have Hamish the coo.But ye already know him.I feed a squirrel named Scarlet who comes to the courtyard.I’ve just set Pokerounce and Blancmange free to sleep for the winter.They’re hedgepigs.I give table scraps to Troye, my favorite hound.In the courtyard, there’s a crow who likes to bring me gifts.And a friendly fox comes round now and then if I’ve got a bit o’ meat.”She paused to emit a luxurious yawn.Then she stopped counting and continued in a drowsy voice.“O’ course, I’m fond o’ the new wee lambs…an’ piglets…an’ calves.I haven’t named them all.I used t’ have a spider called Tidy who kep’ my window free o’ bugs.An’ Twinkle the rat comes to m’ chamber ev’ry night for a wee bite.”
He raised a brow.“You have a rat in your chamber?”
“Mm-hmm.”Then she gasped and lifted her head to look at him with wide eyes.“Och!Don’t tell my Da.He’ll be so upset.”
