Page 36 of Kilted Abduction
“Why dae ye look so surprised?” Kai asked.
Ciara shook her head. “I just… I had been expectin’ tae be thrown intae a cell given that ye all think I’m a traitor.”
“Ahh. That,” he said. “So, Magnus told ye, did he?’
“He did.”
“And ye were expectin’ us tae throw ye on a breaking wheel or maybe flog ye until ye confess?”
“Well… yes.”
He laughed softly. “We dinnae torture, lass. That’s what the English dae. Domhnall sent us tae catch up with ye because he wanted tae talk tae ye before we decide anything.”
“So… there’s a chance ye’ll all still decide tae execute me fer bein’ a traitor?”
He shrugged. “Anythin’s possible. But that’s nae normally somethin’ we dae. Domhnall isnae a big fan of execution.”
“So, I’ll spend me life in a cell then.”
Kai arched and eyebrow as he looked at her. “Tell me somethin’ and be true about it. Are ye a spy? Are ye workin’ with the English?”
“Nay. A thousand times nay.”
“Then ye’ve got nothin’ tae worry about.”
“Then why am I here?”
“Because Domhnall likes tae look a person in the eye and ask the question himself.”
“And if he daesnae like me answer?”
Kai gave her a smile as he stopped before a large, rounded door. The pair of serving women she’d seen before were walked in with buckets full of water so warm, Ciara could see the tendrils of steam curling off the surface. Another woman walked into the room carrying a tray stacked with an array of hot food that it made Ciara’s stomach rumble.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, lass,” Kai said. “But right now, ye should just take a bath and get intae some fresh clothes and have somethin’ tae eat. Also, I’m goin’ tae post a couple of men outside the door here, so dinnae be clever. We’ll come fetch ye when we’re ready to talk tae ye. Is that all right?”
He flashed her a grin as a pair of men in leather armor with swords on their hips and spears in their hands walked over and took up position on either side of the door. Despite how warm and friendly everything seemed, looking at the two armed men made Ciara feel as if she was indeed being thrown into a cell—albeit one with water and food.
Ciara nodded. “Aye. ‘Tis fine.”
“Good lass,” he said and turned away, then paused and turned back. “Dinnae worry, lass. Everythin’s goin’ tae work itself out. Everythin’s goin’ tae be all right.”
“If ye say so.”
“I dae say so. And as ye’re goin’ tae learn, I’m the smartest in the clan.”
Ciara laughed in spite of herself then nodded and walked into the room. The serving women were just finishing filling the tub with hot water and laying out a fresh dress on the bed. Although somewhat plain, the deep green dress was lovely and looked to be finely made.
“If ye need anythin’ else, just let one of the men at the door ken and they’ll come fetch us, Miss,” the serving woman said.
“Thank ye.”
The woman curtsied then rushed from the room, softly closing the door behind her. Ciara immediately strode to the window and saw she was two stories up. If she tried to escape, she would have to drop from a great height and hope she didn’t break something when she landed.
“Bollocks,” she muttered.
Then she turned and wandered over to the tray heaped with food and began to eat. She grabbed a piece of bread and topped it with spiced meat and cheese, then slathered it with brown sauce and took a bite. Her eyes rolled back in her head and she groaned. It was delicious. She chewed then popped a couple of grapes into her mouth as well.
Ciara stripped down and left her clothes in a pile on the floor and slipped into the steaming water inside the tub. She leaned back and reveled in the warmth of the water as it seeped into her bones. After the long, hard road to Dunvegan, it felt like heaven. And since she was trapped in the castle with nowhere to go, she might as well enjoy the amenities. At least for a little while.
