Cormac turned around."Oh, ye find that funny, do ye?"
"No, not at all," she replied, mirth in her eyes.
"Aye, ye do.Well then, that deserves punishment."
"What kind of punishment?"
"The tickling kind!"he yelled.
Una shrieked and bolted.She ran around the table and took off through the common room with Cormac in pursuit, both of them laughing, weaving around the men.She tried to duck behind Seumas and Donal who were playing cards.
"Anyone helping her escape is on guard duty for a sennight," Cormac called.
The men moved aside immediately.
"No fair!"Una shouted.
"Sorry, miss, but I hate guard duty," Donal said.
"Then I'll never mend yer garments again, ye lout!"
He just laughed and shook his head.
Una was caught.Cormac tickled her and she shrieked with laughter, and he chuckled, and the sound was contagious until the entire room was laughing at the sight of them.
Then Maisie appeared in the doorway and declared that if they wanted to play like bairns they should take it outside, and supper would be on the table in ten minutes.
That made everyone roar with laughter.
Eventually they all settled.Thirsty from the chase, Una accepted a large cup of ale and downed it quickly.The afternoon meal was served and once again Cormac dished out the choicest cuts for her as they ate together in a big, noisy group.
As the afternoon wore into evening the men taught Una some card games.She enjoyed the challenge, though she had a strong suspicion they were letting her win.At one point she was nearly certain she was about to lose to Tam, and then she caught Cormac giving him a death stare, and suddenly Tam lost and she won.She stored that away and said nothing.
As the night wore on Cormac was a steady presence at her side.He accompanied her to the outdoor privy and washroom and made sure the path was well lit.
If he stepped away at various times during the evening to speak to his men, she would find Seumas or Ros already beside her, ready to fetch anything she needed.
She had two pints by then, which was about all she could manage.She had always been a lightweight and she knew better than to push it.Drink loosened tongues and she could not afford that, not here, not with these men, not when every secret she was carrying would come tumbling out after a third cup.She and Bella MacKinnon had learned that lesson thoroughly enough at the local tavern, with Boyd often having to wade in and escort them home.
Una was warm and pleasantly content in a way she had not expected.The company was good, the food was hearty, the conversation was boisterous.Then someone began to sing.
She was surprised to realise it was Cormac.He had a beautiful voice.He should have been a bard.
As the night settled around them she found herself lost in it: the firelight, the laughter, the sound of him singing.She let herself imagine, just for a moment, how lovely it would be if this was her life.A hearth full of people who enjoyed her company.A man who made her feel seen.
Then the thought that followed was a cold one.She dreaded going home to her tiny cottage.Dreaded more the moment these men discovered she was no lady and there was no reward to be had when they handed her over.
She really needed to escape.Tonight, if she could manage it.Now was not the time to be falling in love with a man she was lying to every minute she remained in his presence.She steeled herself and set her resolve.
That lasted about ten minutes.
Because one thing Una had forgotten about drinking ale was that it made her sleepy.One moment she was listening to Cormac sing, and the next her eyes drooped and she felt herself being lifted and carried.She turned her face into the warm chest and inhaled the familiar scent of him.That was the last thing she remembered before she slept.
***
CORMAC KNEW, WITHOUTquestion, that he was in love with Lady Fenella.He could deny it no longer.
As he carried her to bed he felt her body settle against his with complete trust, and he loved that she turned toward him even in sleep.He was going to make sure she reached her father safely, and then he was going to set about making the necessary plans to offer for her hand.He smiled thinking on the day they had just had.He wanted so many more like it.
