“Emily,” Duncan called. The woman glided over to his side, after acknowledging her brother and father. “What were ye doin’ in the kitchens?”
“Oh,” she gave an airy laugh. “I kenned ye would require another drink so I stayed close.”
“Jo was assigned to clean rooms, nae serve drinks.”
Emily waved a hand, dismissing his concern for Jo until she met his cold gaze and paused. “I- I was in me chambers, she cleaned it. And informed me that ye were still in the meetin’. We went down together tae prepare this. I dinnae ken ye would be offended by me gesture. I apologize.”
Bryce’s face darkened from their interaction and so did his father’s. Duncan did not care for their feelings. They’d not consulted him before making such a huge decision. In all honesty, he was a saint for not kicking them out of his home. Were it not out of respect for his parents, he would have already done it.
“Find someone who is supposed tae serve,” Duncan concluded coldly. His chair scraped back and he left the hall. He didn’t know if he was more annoyed at the fact that Jo had not directed a single glance at him, or that Bryce had the effrontery to be offended. He had half a mind to stand in the way of his upcoming betrothal to Sheena.
The families were aware of Bryce’s feelings and that Sheena reciprocated them. Just what the hell where they thinking when they dragged him into the plan? He presumed that Laird Ian would prefer his daughter tied to the future laird rather than his own sister marrying his heir. In a few steps, he was outside. Traipsing around the building, Duncan made his way to thestable to saddle his horse, taking greetings from people along the way.
In a few minutes, he was one with the wind, in a bid to clear his mind. The ride was swift and he only returned when dusk had fallen and lanterns lit his way home.
In his chambers, Duncan called for the wooden bathtub to be filled with warm water. He submerged his sweaty body in the water and relaxed.
A second later, his hand shot out for the sword lying on a stool next to him. The door opened and a woman stepped inside at the same time. Spotting a familiar dark head, Duncan’s alarm melted into a dark chuckle.
She gasped, wheeling around, “I’m-I’m sorry. I didnae ken these were yer chambers…I”
“Jo, we have been closer than this, have we nae?”
“’Twas afore I kenned about yer bride tae be!”
“We have tae talk about it because I didnae plan nor agree tae it.”
She gave a harsh gasp. “Ye didnae react when it was announced.”
“Wait, let me get out of ‘ere”
She turned, face flooded by that pretty pink color. Her hands were filled with sheets, which Duncan assumed were for his bed. She tossed them and marched to the door without a backward glance.
“Dae it yerself!” she retorted, slamming the door as she went.
A weight in Duncan’s chest took flight as he watched her go. She cared for him. He laughed lightly, splashing water on his face. He listened to the rush of her steps, fleeing down the stairs. His laugh soon dissolved into nostalgia and annoyance. She was a stranger again, fleeing from his chambers while he was indecent.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Are ye all right? Why are ye breathin’ like ye’ve seen a ghost?” Maisie was in her face. Grace lowered her head and rushed past her, into the kitchens. She dropped the hand that’d been clutching her chest since seeing Duncan in the bathtub.
Maisie, a pretty girl about one and twenty in age, slim, with a knack for whipping up the perfect stews, had become like a best friend to her in the castle. She took her job of making Grace comfortable too seriously, hardly giving her a breathing space.
Like now, when all Grace wanted to do was dig a hole and hide in it.
“Did ye make the bed? That was quick.”
Grace filled a cup with water and drank. Then she repeated it and poured half of it on her steamy face, over the wooden sink where dishes were piled. This alarmed Maisie.
She walked over and patted Grace on the back. “What happened?”
Grace grabbed a sponge. It was just she and Maisie in the kitchens now. Dinner was long served. “Ye dinnae tell me it’d be Duncan’s bed.” She said after she’d composed herself relatively.
Maisie’s frown deepened, “is that why ye’re like this? Did he try somethin’? Tis nae like him…”
“He was washin’ himself!” Grace almost shouted. “Ye should’ve warned me!”
Maisie’s frown cleared. She threw her head and guffawed. A full hearty laugh, unrestrained.
