Page 46 of My Highland Fling
“Will you have guards?”Timur asked.
“I instructed the kitchen to feed them.We will be alone because I don’t wish anyone to eavesdrop on our conversation.Your guards may wait with mine.”
Gabrielle heard the words as she left to inform the cook and blanched.No, that wouldn’t do.They’d need to feed them.She burst into the kitchen and glanced at the stovetop where the large stew pot had resided.“Is there no stew left?”
“I fed the scraps to the dogs,” the cook said.
Relief surged through Gabrielle.“The visiting guards are waiting with Adrik’s protection team.Could we make them sandwiches once we’ve served lunch?”
The cook inclined her head.“Yes, I’ll get the girls to make sandwiches.Enough for everyone.”
She and the cook completed the appetizers of avocado and prawns for serving.Mindful of the poor maids, Gabrielle carried the four plates to the dining room herself.The guards had disappeared, and only Adrik and the other men remained.“Take a seat, gentlemen.”
Gabrielle transported the appetizers to the table.
“Are you not joining us?”Constantine asked.
“Not for the appetizer.I’ll give you a chance to speak in private and will return in half an hour to clear the plates.”
“Thank you, my dear.”Adrik beamed, and she took this as approval.
Once she left the dining room, Gabrielle entered the kitchen to find pandemonium.Uh-oh.That stuff must’ve been strong to act this fast.“What’s wrong?”
“She served us poisonous food,” a guard said, towering over the cook.He bent without warning and held his bulging belly.Then he fled the kitchen, his heavy, rapid footsteps thundering down the hall.
Gabrielle gasped, affecting shock.“The other guards?Should I check?”
“I suppose one of us should because I deny my food caused this.”The cook bristled like a hedgehog.“The girls had a bowl of stew,” she told Gabrielle.“Are you well?”
Both kitchen assistants nodded and continued making sandwiches.
“I’ll do a quick check before helping you plate the main course.Can you do six meals, please?Adrik expects me to eat with the men.”
The laxativeswerequick-acting, and several guards gripped their stomachs, their faces contorted in pain.The newcomers stood together, out of the way, their gazes watchful.
“What happened?”Gabrielle asked.
An outpouring of Russian, angry in tone, blasted her.
“I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”
“The cook poisoned us,” one guard said.
“Why would she do that?What did you eat?”
“Stew,” the man spat.
“The kitchen staff ate stew for lunch.They are perfectly fine.”
“Then why are we sick?”the man demanded.
“Did you drink anything?”
“We had beer, as we always do,” the man spat.
“Did everyone drink beer?”
“Da.”
