Page 4 of Unspoken
She needed to concentrate on the task at hand.
“Well, that won’t do,” she responded quickly. Awarenessof a dark and vital energy shimmered through her very blood.
“Speaking ofbottoms, isna’ that the finestEnglish arse ye’ve seen, Angus?” Even through her skirts the sharp swat stungher backside.
She whirled on them. “How dare you!” Both menlaughed uproariously at her outraged expression.
“Come now, lass, we’re just enjoyin’ yer charms alittle.” His hand snaked out and tweaked her nipple.
“You keep your hands off me!” She brandished hertray like a shield. “This is a reputable establishment and I am a respectablemaid.” Blushing as she noted the curious glances from patrons about the nearbytables, she prayed she wouldn’t be dismissed for creating a disturbance. Shesquared her shoulders. No matter, her dignity was her only possession and sherefused to relinquish it to the likes of him.
Angus’ dirty brown eyes narrowed as a perversesmile touched his lips, “Ye can bejustas respectable perched uponhere, my lady!” he crowed, while snaring her in a painful grip and yanking herdown upon his lap. Evelyn gasped as his erection ground into her backside.Gagging as his foul breath hit her face, she froze like a rabbit caught in asnare. “Show a downhearted warrior some warmth before he goes inta battle onthe morn.”
“No.” The whispered plea sounded feeble to herown ears. The jeers of his clansmen dashed her hopes for assistance.
“You doona mean ‘no’. Give us a kiss.”
“Take your hands off metraitor.” Shehissed, then reared back and slapped him, putting all of her anger andhumiliation into the blow. Pain shot up her arm. Disgusted, she realizedshe’d hurt herself more than she’d hurt him. “We wouldn’t even be going intobattle on the morrow if the MacKay had held their ground as they’d sworn todo!” She surged against his painful grip.
Pushed to the ground by vicious hands, her eyesflared as Angus loomed over her.
“Iknowof your treachery Angus Mackay.”Her tone lowered to just above a whisper, the voice of prophecy spilling fromher lips before she could stop it. “The shadow of death resistseverymanat this table, even though they go to battle in the morning. Why do youbargain with the enemy?”
Angus’ eyes widened instunned disbelief, as did those of his clan who were within earshot. “I’ll cut outyour tongue, you English witch!” His fist rose above his head, closed andready to strike.
Protect your face, cover your eyes. Evelynbraced herself for the blow. She knew what came next: blood, swelling,explosive pain.
The smell of leather, horses, and fields ofheather wafted by on a sultry breeze followed by a sickening crunch and abellow… yet she felt nothing.
The room fell utterly silent.
Chapter Four
Cracking an eyelid open, Evelyn drew in a shockedbreath as she looked up, and up.
Roderick stood between her and the Mackay with Angus’wrist caught in a crippling hold.
“Ye’ve broken me arm!” the man cried. Shock andpain etched in his dirty features as he squirmed in the unyielding grip.
Roderick’s lips pulled back into a silent snarl,murderous rage etched into his savage features as he held the other maneffortlessly immobile. Angus’ arm bent at an unnatural angle.
A Mackay kinsman bravely stepped forward. “Allright! All right, man, we’ll leave the wench alone! Doona be cripplinganother sword arm when they’re sorely needed.”
The berserker remained motionless.
The room seemed to hold its collective breath. Expectantfascination and unease permeated the moment. Would he berserk in the middle ofMoorland’s common room?
Tentatively, Evelyn reached out and touched hisleg. “Really, milord,” she murmured. “Tis finished now. No harm done.” Adark part of her wanted to see him break each Mackay finger that touched her.She squelched the vindictive feeling, somehow knowing if she voiced the hideousrequest, it would be immediately carried out.
Through the buttery leather trews, she felt aquiver of solid muscle beneath her fingertips. She could sense his reluctanceto liberate his quarry, and the self-control it took to do her bidding.
With infinite slowness, he released the squirmingMackay.
The fluid grace of his movements was astonishing forsomeone his size. He turned and lifted her to her feet as though she weighednothing.
After performing acursory inspection which, despite its brevity, left her feeling naked andvulnerable, he met her gaze.
She whispered, “Your eyes, milord.” The pupilsswallowed the irises completely and the ebony bled into the whites of his eyes,creating a cold and eerie contrast. Disbelief snaked through her.
