Quick as the noblewoman appeared, she vanished with Nella in tow, looking over her shoulder at him. Aye, they needed to talk – privately.
***
Mortified!If she could have summoned a hole wide enough in the floorboards to swallow her whole she would have down so in the great hall! Covering her face with her hands, she shook her head again. Oh, Alaina! The lady and confidante meant well but the sheer embarrassment wore upon her same as the linen bath sheet after making use of the half cask filled with warm water.
Fluttering her tresses about her shoulders, she stood before the fire drying them. Her eyes strayed toward the immense tray on the table. It was filled by trenchers overflowing with cheese and chunks of fresh bread and rich churned butter and sweet fruits. Her stomach was twisted into a knot by hunger. Soon as the hair was drythiswould be her next endeavor.
So, where exactly was her long-hung stallion? She should smack her palm against her brow by embarrassment.Slap!
What would be the greatest parchment heading in theFoolish Chronicles of Fawnella MacHearin? That she had been married yet never knew a man’s touch. If one could count stench-filled breath huffing over her lips and breasts and neck as he tried to turn hard a man’s touch.You are the cause I remain limp! Nae curves befittin’ a lass or lady!
She smoothed her palms over breasts. They were small but there.Her shoulders dropped quick as her confidence. Would Callum think her bonny? Ugh. Enough! He was being kind at her unfortunate plight… Wait, was he not part of the reason for such a plight? A few kind words, one life-savinggesture at the tavern snuffed out all the pain he had caused her. She pounded her fist into her palm. No, it did not!
Sitting down on one of the two chairs flanking the small table, absently she began munching on a blackberry. The tray was too much; she could never finish all the bounty. Perhaps Sir Brayden would wish for a nibble given he was at watch outside her door while her Highland stallion was looking over the great hall, studying entries and passageways and vantage points to endeavor the best result upon tomorrow’s feast in care of her safety. There it was again; he meant to keep her safe. Why now?
Chapter 10
A pull on the ties she was covered in a thick woolen robe while she strode toward the door. Plaiting her hair briskly, she took a deep breath. Hhmmm, at least one thing was lovely; Alaina had bestowed her famous rose soap. After releasing the door, her lashes darted wide when another face appeared while sitting on the chair.
“You are not Sir Brayden,” she murmured.
A grin appeared on Callum’s face. He… he smiled. Look at those pearls! What a handsome grin he still had. “Good eve, my lady.”
Her fingers tightened on the door’s edge till wood dug her palm. What… was he up to?
She replied, “I took a wee nap and had considered Sir Brayden was at watch.”Sir Brayden. Hadn’t Brayden declared if Callum smiled at her she would know his true intentions?
“I sought all needed for us upon the morrow then sent Brayden to seek a wee bit of ale.” Callum winked at her. “I discovered he was almost slumbering at his post.” A smile and a wink! Perhaps Alaina was right about it was time to take a lover.
“Would you care for an apple?” Who had she become – Eve?
He cocked a brow at her. “An apple for your stallion?” Oh, nae, he had heard Alaina too!
“I was rather hoping you had not heard that sentiment.” Her cheeks flamed.
“’Twas refreshing to hear a lady declare her truths so profoundly.” Callum stood. “Years at royal court the games played by both lords and ladies are a wretched tired deceit.”
“Would you care to supper with me?” she asked softly.
“Very much, I wish for a moment alone to speak.” He took a step forward. She cleared the doorway for allowing him entry before he set the bow and quiver down.See, he only wanted to talk; nothing more from the flat-chested spawn of the devil.
When they neared the table he held the chair for her. Kind; he was simply being kind.Quit searching for things not present.“Thank you,” she murmured before he claimed the chair across and a chunk of bread. “You mentioned Lady Alaina’s ‘colorful’ terms. Once we are at the feast this will very quickly cease to be.”
“Oh?”
“Her husband,” Nella explained, “he is a sour sort, same as mine was. This trait the pair held in common, it carried the purpose we journeyed here so many times over the years. And for the superior boar present in these lands which my late husband also adored tormenting.”
Callum’s brow turned furrowed. “This laird ever harm Lady Alaina?”
“Nae, not by a fist. Words were his weapon of choice to inflict harm upon her. Thus, she unleashes this pent-up wroth she carries within her by way of her ‘colorful’ terms when he is not about.”
Callum remained silent for a moment. She absently reached for the butter to set it closer by him from her side.
“Nella.” His tone was puffed with surprise. “You… you remembered I care for butter with my bread.”
The words tumbled out. “Callum, I remember all of you.” Ugh! How could she just say that!Ahem.“If your tastes have changed, there are preserves as well.”
She looked up at him as he set both hands onto the table then proclaimed in a husky tone, “My tastes haveneverchanged.” Wait a hot moment. Why did it seem they were no longer speaking about food?
