“Then it is settled!” Loraine said happily. “I will call for the seamstress to attend me.”
“Wear red,” Andrew instructed.
“Why?” Loraine frowned, looking puzzled.
“Because it will make you shine even more brightly than you do now, my angel,” he replied. “And I want everyone to envy me my beautiful bride—especially Clyde Munro!”
“I am ravenous!” Clyde growled as they entered the castle. “I could eat a whole sheep!”
“I believe you!” Cora laughed. “I have seen you demolish more food in a single meal than I could eat in a week!”
Just then, Clyde’s stomach rumbled so loudly that Cora almost jumped in fright.
“My God!” she exclaimed. “I am beginning to worry about my own safety! You won’t eat me, will you? Do you have any whole sheep in your larder? I am only asking so that you can leave me a foreleg or an ear when you eat everything else.”
He pretended to consider for a moment. “I caught half a dozen rabbits last week,” he informed her. “You can have one, and I will have the other five.”
Cora laughed heartily at that. “Do you eat soup?” she asked.
He shook his head, looking serious. “No. I drink it by the gallon.”
Cora gave him a top-to-toe assessment. “I think two of me might make one of you,” she observed, frowning.
“Really?” Clyde suddenly swept her off her feet and broke into a run. Cora squealed as she was jogged along in his arms, feeling as though she might fall at any moment but enjoying the sensation immensely. Presently, he put her down, smiling. “I think you are right,” he said, nodding in agreement. “Considering that you weigh almost nothing.” He gave her a roguish smile.
“Do you do that to many ladies?” Cora asked, smoothing down her wrinkled skirts.
“No,” he answered, his eyes twinkling. “Not the fat ones. I fear I may be tempted to take a bite out of them.”
His face was absolutely serious as he said it, and Cora giggled, then gave him a playful push. “You are mad!”
“I will not deny it,” he agreed, grinning. “You are not the first one to say it.”
They arrived at the dining room to find Minetta there with an empty plate in front of her. She put a hand on her chest and gave a sigh of relief as she saw them. “Where have you been?” she cried. “I was so worried about you both!”
Cora ran to hug her friend, and Clyde put his strong arms around both of them.
“I am sorry, Minetta,” he said regretfully. “I wanted to show Cora the hut, but I brought my sword with me just in case.” He showed her the broadsword in its scabbard.
“I am armed too,” Cora told her, pointing at the dagger.
Minetta was horrified. “Get those things away from the table!” she cried. “We do not do battle while we are eating.”
Clyde and Cora took off their weapons and gave them to the guard, then Cora put her hand over Minetta’s on the table. “I am so sorry,” she murmured. “We did not think to tell you where we were going.”
Minetta nodded slowly and withdrew her hand, then Clyde ordered the food. “I thought you might have slaughtered a sheep for me at least,” he complained as he looked down in disappointment at his mutton soup.
“Be grateful you are getting that!” Minetta snapped. “There are plenty of poor people out there who would give their eyeteeth for it.”
Clyde looked across at Cora and gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head. He was not going to apologize again. He ordered some warm ale, and there was complete silence while they ate and drank. Clyde ate another bowl of soup and more bannocks, then two helpings of roast venison with root vegetables. After that, he shared a platter of oatcakes and cheese with Cora, who had only managed a single plate of soup and one helping of the main course. At last, he sat back, replete, and patted his stomach.
Cora twitched a smile as she looked at him. “That was astonishing!” she laughed. “I have never seen anyone—not even you—eat so much!”
Clyde waved away the compliment. “Thank you, but it was not my best effort. I have been known to eat more,” he said modestly.
Minetta stood up. “Forgive me for leaving, but I cannot stand any more of this nonsense.” She turned to walk away, but Clyde grabbed her wrist before she could leave the table.
“Wait.” His voice was a stern bark. “Sit down, Minetta. We have something to tell you. And, by the way, calm down. We have both apologized several times, and that is enough.”
