“We arenae acquainted in that way, Wilma,” Talia blurted. “I am just his ward.”
“Daenae worry, lass.” Wilma smiled. “I ken. I was only jesting to see me Laird’s reaction. He has never brought a lass here before nor one as bonny as ye.”
With that, she scurried away.
She returned shortly after with steaming plates of beef stew and a warm loaf of bread with a crock of butter. A lad came later with a jug of wine and mugs.
When they were finally alone, Talia turned to glare at Darragh.
“I cannae say I have ever been so insulted in me life,” she hissed. “She thought I was yer… woman!”
“Ye make it sound as though it is a great insult,” he noted, with a smirk. “If any other woman were in yer place, she would be ecstatic.”
Talia gave him a dry look that had him choking.
“I apologize,” he offered, unable to meet her eyes. “I should have told her we werenae lovers before she made the assumption.”
“Ye are forgiven,” she grumbled. “Notwithstanding, she seemed to ken ye quite well. I thought ye never traveled this far into yer lands.”
“I havenae traveled in recent years due to me duties as Laird, but when I was younger, I used to travel often,” he explained. “I spent some time with Jonathan as well, but I had to return to the castle quickly to continue me training.”
She nodded, and they ate their meal in silence.
With her belly full, her body quickly grew heavy with the need to sleep, and it seemed Darragh felt the same. He signaled to Wilma, who came over quickly.
“The lady and I will retire now,” he told her.
“Alright. I hope the meal was to yer liking, Talia?”
“Indeed, Wilma,” Talia answered. “It was a most enjoyable meal.”
“I thank ye,” Wilma preened. “Come. Come. I have arranged the finest chambers for ye both, and there’s hot water for a bath.”
The prospect of a hot bath filled Talia with excitement, even if she felt bone tired. All she wanted to do was sink into the welcoming warmth and melt off the day’s stress.
“Here’s yer room, Talia,” Wilma announced, stopping in front of the door at the end of the long hallway that boasted four other doors. “And yers is right beside hers, me Laird.”
“Thank ye, Wilma,” Talia told her with a tired smile.
“Have a restful night, dear lass,” Wilma said, before leaving them.
“What time do we leave tomorrow?” Talia asked, turning to Darragh.
“We leave just before dawn. I have asked Wilma to prepare a basket for the journey because we willnae stop until nightfall.”
“Alright.” She was already weary in advance. “I bid ye good night, then.”
“Daenae forget to lock yer door,” he ordered.
“Are ye worried someone may try to sneak into me room?” she asked with a teasing grin.
“Aye,” he answered grimly. “I daenae want ye to get hurt.”
That made her mouth go dry, and her heart beat a little faster at the intensity of his gaze, but she swallowed down the emotion and nodded. “I will lock me door then.”
He nodded and waited till she stepped into her chambers before entering his. She slid the lock into place and leaned against the door a moment longer to catch her breath.
She did not understand the breathlessness that overtook her when he looked at her, and it scared her. She remembered how the heat of his palm had seeped through her skirt when he had easily carried her over his shoulders.
