Page 19 of A Virgin for the Highland Beast
Everyone else seemed to fade into the background as they chatted about the weather, and where Emma and her sisters had come from. Although little information was given, Hunter remained silent and watched as Emma and her sisters filled their plates.
“When was the last time ye had a decent meal?” Katie asked as Nora and Lydia devoured the soup.
Hunter’s chest tightened as he found himself eager to hear Emma’s response.
“A while ago,” Nora answered.
“Our previous Laird would often only allow us a few bites before our plates were taken,” Lydia chimed in.
Emma wasnae jestin’ when she said they’d been tortured.
The thought of anyone being so cruel enraged Hunter. He balled his hands into tight fists and bit into the bread as if it were their enemy.
“Me dears, how dreadful. Please, have as much as ye like,” Katie said, pushing more food towards the sisters.
As Lydia thanked Hunter for the generous spread, Katie questioned when the girls last ate. With Isobel revealing it had been days, Katie shot Hunter a look of understanding that softened his heart even further.
The conversation flowed around him, the girls revealing more about their journey and their lives before they arrived here. As Nora revealed their father’s fate, Hunter found his thoughts circling back to Emma, her strength, her grace, and the mysterious allure that surrounded her.
As the last morsels of food disappeared from their plates, Nora cleared her throat, her eyes holding a distant memory. “We hail from Clyde Castle. Our faither, a noble laird, led our land and people with heart and honor. But after his untimely death, our cousin, a man of less merit, seized the mantle.”
The table fell silent at her declaration, the air heavy with the unsaid words.
Violet gasped, her fork paused halfway to her mouth. “Oh, Nora! That’s dreadful! I can relate. We lost our faither recently, too.” She glanced at her brother, her eyes shimmering with tears.
Hunter, who had been silently listening, suddenly felt Emma’s eyes on him. He turned to look at her, his heart pounding in his chest. He wished he could reveal more than the stoic mask that covered his face, but he knew he had to maintain a veneer of strength for his family and the guests in his castle.
As the conversation continued, Hunter found himself absentmindedly picking at his food, his eyes attuned to the unfolding dynamics of the room.
When the girls finally satiated their hunger, Violet chimed in, “Why do we nae retire to the library?”
Nora’s face lit up at the mention of a library. “Oh, how wonderful. There’s a library. Do ye suppose I could read any of the books in there?”
“Of course, why would ye nae? Unless ye dinnae ken how to read?” Katie said sympathetically.
“Nora will read whatever ye put in front of her,” Lydia said with a huge grin. “She devours them like they’re sweets. I suppose, though, that’s why she’s such a good healer.”
“Is that right?” Katie asked, and the shock on her face nearly broke Hunter’s stoic expression.
“Aye,” Nora answered.
“Did ye hear that, M’Laird? A healer? We havenae had one of those in some time. I’m sure the clan would love to see her some time,” Katie suggested as she flashed Hunter an approving smile.
It was clear Katie had quickly grown to like Nora, but she wasn’t the one Hunter wanted. If he had to pick, it was Emma whom he was fond of the most.
“What about horses? Do ye have any?” Isobel asked as she leaned on her elbows. Her eyes widened with anticipation.
“Me braither is an excellent rider, almost centaur-like, and has many horses. Perhaps, tomorrow if ye wish, I could show ye some of them? If that’s all right wit’ the Laird,” Violet said, glancing at Hunter for his approval.
Hunter cleared his throat, uncomfortable with the attention, and pushed his plate away. A servant was quick to clear his dishes.
“Aye, as long as ye dinnae steal one,” he answered as he grabbed his glass and downed the wine in one gulp.
“Hunter,” Katie snapped, her voice low but prickly.
Ignoring his mother, Hunter turned towards Emma. “Would ye join me for a walk around the grounds?”
Emma looked at her sisters, seeming to seek their approval.
