Page 26 of The Highlander Steals a Virgin
Rhys’s ears perked up when he heard the sounds of his men groaning as the lad overshared.
“Every one of ye should be ashamed. Ye sit here stuffin’ yer bellies like beasts while a woman underme ownroof and protection was made to feel unwelcome.”
A few of his men lowered their gazes. Others clenched their jaws, chastened.
From the corner of his eye, he saw movement behind one of the great hall’s decorative banners.
Nina’s head appeared, half-hidden in the shadow of the curtain.
He turned on his heel and strode toward her.
“What’s this?” he asked, pointing to the tray in her arms.
The maid startled, but didn’t drop the tray. “It’s the lady’s supper,” she said softly. “Since she dinnae eat doon here. She asked for me to bring some up.”
“Give it here.”
She hesitated. “M’laird?”
“Now, Nina.”
She angled the tray toward him, and he sniffed the stew, then dipped the spoon into it. Steam rose and he tasted it, holding the bite in his mouth long enough to test the salt, herbs, and the meat.
His jaw worked slowly.
“It’s fine,” he said at last. “Tell Cook it’s passable. But if I fall ill come morning, he will be answerin’ to me.”
Nina nodded once, carefully taking the tray back.
“Daenae let it cool,” he added. “She’s had enough insult for one night. And ye will join her in the trip from her chambers to the dining hall from now on. Each meal she wishes to join us for.”
Rhys turned without waiting for her reply, teeth still gritted.
The clansmen still sat in silence. Eyes scanning the crowd for two faces that were still glaringly absent.
William and Myles.
He stormed through the keep out past the back corridor, and into the narrow wing where guards sometimes tucked away for dice, drink, and worse. He found them, as he suspected, tucked behind the buttery with two lassies in their laps and their breeches half-laced.
Rhys didn’t hesitate.
“Get off yer arses.”
William stood quickly, Myles was slower.
“Rhys?”
“Ye were supposed to be in the dining hall. Instead I find Lady Amara abandoned and insulted to the point of retreat without having touched her food, and both of ye with — with…”
The women slipped away like ghosts.
“Christ Almighty,” Rhys cursed and combed his fingers through his hair in frustration.
Then he advanced on them both. “From now on, with the exception of walkin’ her to meals, one of ye is to be her shadow. Atallother times. Switch off, I daenae care. But if she’s ever left alone in this keep again, I’ll leave ye both to guard sheep for the rest of yer days.”
Myles paled. William gave a tight nod.
“Go,” Rhys growled.
