“That’s not the point. He’s filthy.”
“I dinnae mind,” Roger said, squirming as she continued to wipe grime from his forehead. “I like grease. Means I can slip through the guards arms when they chase me.” He grinned a toothy grin.
“Off you go,” Rachel said. “I’ll make sure he takes care of you.”
“Thank you, my lady,” Roger said, bowing so low his head brushed the floor. He turned and headed out the door.
“Boy,” Cam said, beckoning him back. “Here.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a copper coin. “Don’t waste it.”
The boy’s eyes widened as he took the coin. “Th…thank you,” he said, sprinting off as if he feared Cam might snatch it back.
The Laird was just locking the door once more when he heard a scream behind him. He almost fell in his haste to get into the garret. How had they got to her in there? He barged the door open and was greeted by the sight of Rachel folding her arms across her naked chest.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. “What happened?”
“Turn away,” she said at the same time. “Now!”
He spun on the spot, facing the door and trying to wipe the image he’d just seen from his mind. The milky pale flesh, those slight globes of flesh and that perfectly flat stomach. He had caught the slightest glimpse before she made him turn around. He was certain the sight would stay with him forever.
He had no idea why. It wasn’t like he’d never seen a naked woman before. The harlots in the towns that showed their wares when he visited, the peasants washing in the river, he’d seen plenty of bodies in his time.
“Do you always burst in on your guests?” she asked, the sound of rustling clothing reaching his ears.
“You screamed,” he replied. “I was worried.”
“You can turn around now,” she said quietly.
She was standing with her coat tightly held across her chest. “Why did you scream?” he asked. “I thought someone had got in here.”
“The water was colder than I thought. That’s all. And it wasn’t a scream, it was just a bit of a shock.”
“You screamed.”
“I did not.”
There was a knock on the outer door of his chamber just as he went to reply. “To be continued anon,” he said, leaving her in the garret. He closed the door to make sure she could not be seen before seeing who had knocked on his chamber.
“My Laird,” Tor said, nodding when he saw him. “I thought you should know.”
“Know what?”
“People are starting to talk.”
“What about?”
“You and that woman. They say you are harboring a criminal, that she has bewitched you.”
“Is that all?”
“The MacKenzies are threatening to burn down the portcullis if you do not let them leave.”
“I will deal with them in a minute. First, tell me why you locked her up in the pit prison.”
“It was not me. It was Donald.”
“Either way, you locked up an innocent woman while the killer roams free. I should have your head for this.”
“I am sorry, my Laird. I did not-”
