Page 36 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

“I’ll drink,” Stuart said, and his son helped him to his feet.

He drank two tankards full, his son keeping him from drinking a third and forcing him from the room, two of Torrance’s warriors assisting him.

“Drink and eat,” Torrance called out to his men, “while Clan Rennoch sees to their wounded and dead.

He went to Esme, leaning over her chair. “I need to speak with my men about those who will remain here. While I do, eat, if you can. We leave as soon as I am done.”

She was relieved to hear that, her heart finally slowing after all the tension and uncertainty.

“Are you sure you are all right?” he asked, his jaw clenching and his gaze scanning the hall once more. “I should have seen it sooner. The moment we were led to that cursed table.”

The concern in his voice and that he continued to ask how she was, had her resting her hand on his arm and giving it a gentle squeeze. “I am good, unharmed, because of you, and I am grateful.”

He met her eyes then. They were intense, unreadable. “I will always protect you, Esme. Always.” He ran his hand gently over her cheek. “Rest with ease. A warrior will remain by your side until I return.”

He barely stepped away from her when one of his warriors took a stand to her side, his eyes steady on all around him.

A servant lass approached cautiously with fresh food and drink, the warrior stopping her and looking over the serving board.

“It is a chamomile brew and the best of our meat and cheese,” the lass said with a gentle smile. “We are grateful you stopped more blood from being shed today, my lady, and grateful for the allegiance we now have with Clan Glencairn.”

“Hopefully, you will do well under Roland’s leadership,” Esme said as the warrior allowed her to place the board on the table.

“Roland seems more reasonable than his da. There is hope he will make a good chieftain.” She bobbed her head. “Much thanks again, my lady.”

“Before you go,” Esme said, stopping the lass. “Do you know of an elderly woman with long silver hair and draped in dark wool that was here?”

The lass shook her head. “Nay, my lady, I saw no such person, nor do I know of one. She may have been passing through and thought to join the celebration.”

“There was never a betrothal celebration for Roland, was there?” Esme asked.

The servant looked puzzled. “Nay, my lady, Roland is not betrothed. Chieftain Stuart claimed a day of celebration, that is all. It is something he does now and again.”

“Thank you for your honesty,” Esme said with a tender smile.

The servant lass nodded, returning the smile and hurried off at her name being called out.

Esme wondered over the elderly woman who spoke with her. Who was she? What was she doing here? And what did she know about Torrance? She would mention it to Torrance as soon as she could. In the meantime, she discovered she was hungry and ate, though there was too much there for her to eat.

It looked like she barely touched the food when she finished. So, she turned to the warrior left to protect her and held the board out to him, keeping her half-finished tankard.

“I cannot eat another bite. Please help yourself.”

His surprise showed in the widening of his eyes and his hesitation to respond, as if unsure what to do.

“Your fellow warriors are stuffing their faces,” she said with a chuckle. “It is only fair you eat as well. You can continue to keep watch on me while you do.”

He took the board. “I am grateful, my lady.”

He remained standing as he ate, his eyes ever watchful.

Esme saw that he got a tankard of ale and that actually brought a smile to the warrior’s face.

A yawn escaped her, at ease now after having eaten and calm being restored. She rested her head back against the high-top chair and closed her eyes to rest.

Torrance spotted her as soon as he returned to the Great Hall. Her beauty continued to amaze him. He had watched her a couple of times as she slept, unable to sleep himself. She purred softly now and again in her sleep and would snuggle against him, not that she realized it. He liked it when she rested against him. It soothed him.

He pushed the thought from his mind and made his way through the Great Hall, cleaned quickly of the battle, to the dais. He was about to wake Esme with sharp words but stopped.

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