Page 53 of A Dangerous Highland Affair

Casting a curious eye, Teasag wondered where all these people had come from. The dwellings seemed new and fresh and had not made deep inroads into the forest.

And yet an established group of people already lived here. She even noted a handful of children playing rumbustiously at the feet of the women.

Despite the numbers, it didn’t seem as if the food was in short supply. And as Teasag tentatively dipped her spoon into the thick, steaming broth, she could see plenty more being passed around, along with a jug of wine.

The thick pottage was a pleasant surprise, unexpectedly delicious, with a warm earthy tang.

The look of surprise on Teasag’s face must have been palpable because the blonde woman smiled at her quizzically.

“Is the food to yer liking?” she asked pleasantly. By now, the wine was flowing, and Teasag took a dram from the wooden drinking quaich. The thick, velvet tones inveigled her senses and punched at her taste buds.

“It’s very good,” she added politely. “But how did ye come by such provisions oot here?”

For a moment, there was silence, and Teasag wondered if she had asked the wrong thing. But she couldn’t help feeling suspicious about the strange gathering.

Teasag wondered if all these people lived and supped together in the one house, or if they were guests arriving from the neighboring houses, which she had passed on her entrance.

The casual nature of the group, coupled with the familiarity of the crowd, made her realize that this was a small but very supportive local community created in the heart of the forest. It was undoubtedly, one she had not previously been aware of.

Teasag drained the last of her mutton pottage and did not stand on ceremony when another platter was passed around.

The blonde woman smiled at her again, breaking the slightly tense silence which had opened up since her question.

“We have nae problems getting what we need here,” she said cryptically, with a little look to some of the others gathered around the table.

Teasag noted the murmur of laughter passing through the group and the shifty looks that some women gave to each other.

Inside, Teasag’s mind whirred. Something was inherently suspicious about this place, but it would not do to look ungracious for the time being. And anyway, the food was unusually tasty.

Digging her spoon deep into the pottage, Teasag savored the last few meaty mouthfuls with relish.

It had been a long while since she had such hearty fare. Even back at the McCallum keep, such richly spiced meats were usually reserved for the big table. The best that servants like her could hope for were scraps and vegetable brose.

The blonde woman smiled, but Teasag noticed that she was no longer looking at her but behind her.

Turning, Teasag realized that the woman’s attention had now alighted on Neacal. In fact, so had most of the room. It was clear from the look on their faces that they were mesmerized, at the sight of his calm, impish features, as he laughed merrily with some of the men.

To begin with, Neacal did not seem to see the women staring over at him. To make her point, the blonde woman cleared her throat softly.

It was subtle but just audible enough for it to be understood as a demand for attention.

Smiling, Neacal broke off from his somewhat bawdy conversation with Robbie and turned his attention to them.

The woman’s eyes were flashing, and Teasag couldn’t help trying her hardest to compete over the top of their shrill signal for his attention.

Then, the penny dropped, and Neacal realized what he was being asked to do.

“Sorry! Excuse me!” he said, belatedly standing up and gesturing over to Teasag. His eyes alighted on her only briefly as he shifted his attention to the blonde woman.

“Ladies, this is Teasag, an’ I’m Neacal,” he said, with his trademark grin. The women giggled nervously as he came over to meet them. Watching them closely, Teasag saw their expressions change from suspicion to attraction.

“We ken who ye are Neacal,” snickered one of the blonde woman’s friends, but she was swiftly elbowed by one of the others.

“I mean, we are pleased to meet ye,” clarified the blonde woman, with a quick look to her friend. Then she smiled warmly, but only at Neacal.

A ripple of envy passed through Teasag. Conflicting feelings of desire and longing battled within her. Feelings that she had barely known were unbottling and blowing up inside her.

Maybe it was the heat from the fire, burning nearby, but suddenly, Teasag was breathless.