She had no intention of summoning the rat-catcher.But once her father was back in his own bed—an event that appeared to be imminent, if Hew’s appearance in the great hall was any indication—she was sure he’d completely forget the matter.
“Fine.”He glanced around the hall.“Och.I see our warrior friend is already up and about.He seems to have flourished under your tender care.”
Had he flourished?Or had he forced his way out of bed out of pure stubbornness, just to keep an eye on her?She was beginning to think Peris was right.The Rivenloch warrior was meddlesome.
Before she could stop him, her father called out to Hew.Hew raised his cup in greeting and came toward them.
“I’m surprised to see ye recoverin’ so well,” the laird said.
Hew nodded.“Thanks to your generosity, m’laird, and some expert care.”His gaze was warm as it slipped over to her.
“Indeed,” her father said with a knowing smile.
Carenza found herself immediately furious again.How dare Hew feign affection for her—in front of her father, no less—when he clearly had no intention of following up or making any serious overtures toward her?
Her jaw was tight as she smiled and intentionally misunderstood him.“Oh aye, Peris is the best physician in Dunlop.”
“Och, Carenza,” her father chided, “ye know very well—”
“And here he is now,” she interjected, grabbing Peris’s arm as he passed.“We were just talkin’ about your expert care o’ Sir Hew.”
Peris looked rattled.Anxious.And exhausted.Clearly, the last thing he wanted to do was talk.Especially not to the meddlesome man he’d tried to poison.
“Ye shouldn’t be out o’ bed,” he grunted at Hew.
Whether he was referring to Hew’s health or his meddling, Carenza wasn’t sure.
“I feel fine,” Hew said.
“That’s the opium.”
“I stopped taking it.”
A look of disapproval crossed Peris’s face.Still, he was a physician with a physician’s concerns.“Must hurt like the devil.”
“’Tisn’t so bad,” He gave Peris a wink.“Not as bad as having your heart broken.”
Carenza almost groaned at that.The magnificent warrior had probably left dozens of heartbroken maids in his wake.But he’d surely never been the victim of a broken heart.
Her father, however, had.
“That,” the laird agreed, growing suddenly solemn, “is the worst pain of all.”
Carenza felt horrid for forgetting her father’s suffering.She placed a gentle hand on his arm.“And we’ll all pray for her today, Da.”Then she turned to Peris.“Ye’ll come as well, aye?”
He grunted in reply.
“If ’tis all right,” she said to Peris, “once we’re there, I’d like to talk with ye about…my mother.”
She could immediately feel the tension in Hew.Like a wildcat about to spring.
His voice, however, reflected none of it.“Where is the graveyard?”
“Och,” she said, knitting her brows with false regret, “’tis too far to go in your condition, I fear.But don’t fret.We’ll be sure to pray for the souls o’ your clan as well.Won’t we, Da?”
“O’ course.”
Fury flickered in Hew’s flinty eyes.Fury and just a hint of reluctant admiration.He nodded his head, accepting his defeat.
