Sheena might have laughed “You slapped me first. I’ll no’ take that from you or anyone.”
“But you…hit me!”
“Aye, I did, and with good reason,” she replied. “What reason did you have for hitting me?”
“You were acting crazy. I was trying to calm you.”
“Maybe I was,” she sighed. Her mind was clearer,the panic ebbing. “But you’re twice the size I am and had no business laying a hand on me.” Her voice rose again. “And Iwillnastay here any longer!”
“Aye, you’re right,” he admitted sheepishly, surprising her. “’Twas wrong of me to put it off so long and keep you a prisoner here. I’m sorry. I’ll settle it tonight, I promise.”
“Why no’ now?”
“I’m to leave shortly, to get back the horses that were lifted the other night.”
“You mean you’ve a raid to do? Today?”
“Aye. But as soon as I return, I’ll settle it.”
“You swear, Colen?”
He nodded and turned to leave. At the door he stopped, absently rubbing his cheek. “I’ve never been slapped by a girl ’afore.”
“Then ’twas high time, for you’re a stubborn brute if I’ve ever met one.”
“And you’re a spunky lass,” he chuckled. “You wouldna catch a MacKinnion woman slapping back. She’d get a fair beating if she did.”
“Is that what your wife should expect?”
“Och, Sheena, I wouldna hurt you.”
“Of course not,” she replied sarcastically. “You’d only have to have everythingyourwayallthe time, as you have so far.”
“Will you give me this one last day without making a fuss?” Colen asked in parting.
Sheena hesitated, but only to make Colen nervous. There was no question anymore about hercausing a stir. She couldn’t risk it, not when a MacKinnion might come to investigate. Maybe even The MacKinnion himself!
“This one day and no more, Colen,” she said at last.
He grinned. “If I’m no’ back by dark, a girl will bring you food. And dinna fret, lass.”
He left, and she was free to take in fully what she had just learned. For six days, she’d been living in the midst of Clan Kinnion! Her family’s great enemies were outside that door…in the next room…all around her. And The MacKinnion was among them. She sat down on the bed and let the realization take hold of her. She was living a nightmare.
Chapter 12
Colen’s brother had returned to the hall after speaking to the gatekeeper and learning there was no sign of Colen yet. He was not worrying over the men, just the success of the raid. One of his prize stallions had been lifted and the laird wanted it back. He ought to have gone himself, he knew that, but Colen had been so nervous all week, his brother felt he needed the diversion.
It was a quiet night. There were no guests, so only one long table was filled. These were castle retainers. Servants bustled about, refilling trenchers, pouring ale.
The laird’s own table had yet to be served. It was considered a crime to serve the laird’s food before he was ready for it, for if there was anything that could turn James MacKinnion sour, it was a cold meal. New servants learned this the hard way. Jamie’s wrath could be quite entertaining—as longas one wasn’t the recipient of it—and no one volunteered the rules to newcomers.
Right then, Jamie’s table was empty except for Jessie, who sat looking sullen. Jamie had kept her waiting, and she didn’t like that one bit. Jessie Martin was first cousin to Jamie’s brother-in-law, Dobbin, and she had come to Castle Kinnion with Dobbin and Jamie’s sister Daphne when they visited, three weeks past. But she had not left with them. During those three weeks she had made it known that she was available to Jamie, and he had finally taken her up on her offer.
He had had his fill of her by yesterday—or so he thought. But seeing her now in a low-cut burgundy velvet gown, he admitted he’d never found a better mistress. If only his Aunt Lydia hadn’t taken such a dislike to Jessie. But she had, staying in her room in the north tower and almost never coming out. Aunt Lydia couldn’t tolerate a forward, brazen woman.
But sometimes a man needed such a woman in his life, especially a man who was not looking for a wife. She was experienced in ways of pleasing a man, Jessie was. After four unsuccessful handfastings, she claimed she had given up on marriage. Jamie wasn’t sure about that. He’d never yet met a woman who didn’t pine for marriage. But Jessie would be disappointed if that was what she was after.
“Can we begin now?” Jessie said petulantly as soon as Jamie took his chair.
