Page 21 of At the Highlander's Mercy
‘And from the MacGregors, as well, since you thought me still married to Iain?’ she asked, probing for the truth. A flash of sympathy and pity crossed his gaze and then it was gone. For her? For her loss? She knew not.
‘Both are prosperous, so, yes,’ he answered, the twitch giving away his reply before he spoke. Did he even realise he did that? Gave himself away so clearly? Or had no one other than she recognised it? Most likely no one paid as much attention to his face and expressions as she had during their time together.
‘Do you think my father will pay for my release?’
This was the pivotal question, for Lilidh understoodexactly where she stood in her father’s regard and what he must do against this insult. And paying for her return was not what he would do. Did Rob remember what he’d learned from theBeast of the Highlandsfrom his fostering years in her family?
When silence was the only thing that hung in the space between them, she knew he did remember how her father responded to insults or threats. Lilidh drank down the rest of the ale and placed the cup back on the small table. The exhaustion of the day and the toll of the last several weighed down on her then. There was one more question she must ask.
‘What is to become of me here, Rob?’ She was going to add ‘before my father arrives’, but did not. He began to say something and stopped, then once more. Finally he spoke.
‘You are under my protection now,’ he replied.
‘And what must I do to keep that protection?’
Once again, he paused and then tried to say several things at the same time. ‘I have said it, so it continues until—’
‘Do I work in the kitchens on the morrow?’ she asked. She could never resist poking at him or her brother.
‘I think that is best.’ Ah, an answer. Her leg would not be able to manage those stairs day after day. If that was going to be her fate here, then she really must throw herself on his mercy.
‘If I am to work there, is there a place on the lower floor where you can hold me prisoner? I cannot...’ Her hand slipped down to touch her thigh where the most damage had been done.
‘No. You sleep here.’ She was startled at the intensity of his tone. So that would be the way of it. He did intend to bed her and was just waiting for a time to do so.
Perhaps now would be that time? She swallowed her fear and nodded. It was hard enough for her to bring up her maimed leg and ask for an accommodation due to it, but she would not raise the subject again with him.
Not certain if she should move or if he would, she waited for his orders. She did not plan to allow him to do this without a struggle, for more than her honour would be in shambles if he did. She knew him, had watched him grow into the man he was now, and in spite of the miserable way in which he had tossed her aside before, there was honour at his core. Taking her against her will would tear him apart. Regardless if it was for the good of his clan or to prove something to his cousin.
It would tear him apart.
She raised her chin and closed her eyes. If she had to fight him off to keep them both intact, she would. But Lilidh prayed it would not come to that.
‘Go to bed!’ he barked out in a brusque tone.
She jumped even though she tried not to. Rob filled another cup with ale and turned away from her. When his attentions were elsewhere, she limped over to the bed and climbed up on top of it.
‘Lilidh,’ he said softly. The devil come to call? She met his gaze and waited on him. ‘Get undressed. Take your rest without worry this night.’
Another reprieve? Would he sleep in the same bed and not touch her? Her body ached. Her head ached. Every part of her screamed out in complaint, so shedecided to take him at his word. She loosened the gown and pulled it over her head. The stockings remained in place mostly because her feet were chilled. The shift for obvious reasons. Tugging the thick bedcovers free, she climbed in under them and settled on one of the fluffy pillows. By the time her head touched that pillow, sleep was overtaking her.
A fine defence she would raise if Rob did indeed try anything. Would sleep ward him off one more time?
* * *
The birds of morning sung her from her sleep. Sunlight poured through the window high up on the wall of Rob’s chamber.
Rob’s chamber?
Rob?
Lilidh opened her eyes and found the bed empty save for her. Although an imprint dented the pillow next to the one where she’d slept, the bed’s surface was cool to her touch. If Rob had slept next to her, he was long gone.
Pushing her hair away from her face, she slid up against the headboard of the bed and glanced around the chamber. From the amount of sun and the angle of the light, she guessed it must be nigh to mid-morn. And she was still in bed?
A tray holding a small pot and a wrapped bundle sat next to her on the table. Touching the pot, Lilidh found it yet warm, though not hot. Unwilling to leave the snug cocoon of bedcovers and also reluctant to allow the food and drink to go to waste, she decided to remain where she was until summoned once more into the fray. Or to the kitchens, whichever happened first.
The betony tea warmed and soothed her as it had before and the bread and cheese filled her belly. Soon, she grew restless sitting in the bed, so she slid out and stood while her leg became accustomed to standing. A clean, though plain, gown and a clean shift lay on the chair waiting for her. Dressing quickly, Lilidh found herself with nothing to do and nowhere to go.
