Page 49 of Highlander’s Lesser Evil

“I have touched every inch of yer skin, tasted all of ye, made ye scream with pleasure in the dark, and still ye blush like a maiden,” he chuckled.

“I still blush when you do them, but it’s dark, and you don’t see,” she pointed out and slapped his hands away when they started to roam. They were still in the middle of the hall. “Theo! Dinner is in less than an hour!”

Before he could grab her again, she stepped to the side. “I still have plenty to do, and so do you. Tonight, I am yours, but for now, you need to get ready.”

She expected to hear him chuckle as she danced down the hall, but only silence followed her, and she wondered just what was on his mind.

Almost all of the invited guests showed up, and Gemma could scarcely contain her glee. Most of them were there out of curiosity, and the show of food at their doors had accrued enough goodwill that they felt safe in exploring their curiosity. When the doors opened, and Theo and Gemma walked in, most of them stood, whether out of respect or fear.

When one man did not deign to rise from his seat, one of the guards walked over and yanked him out of his seat.

“Stop!” Theo thundered, and the hall grew tense. “Release him! If he doesnae wish to rise, then I havenae earned his respect.”

There was a ripple of surprise, and the guard released the man. Both were beet red as the man took his seat again and stared at his place. “Please, ye may all sit. I suspect we will have much to discuss tonight. Most of ye have met my wife by now.”

“Yes, and we are so honored that you would join us for dinner. This week it is by invitation so we can hear everyone’s thoughts, but then it will be open to any and all who wish to join us for dinner,” Gemma said.

There was very little eye contact, but Gemma tried not to take it personally as Theo showed her to her seat. Dinner was served, and first, there was nothing but awkward silence, but then Theo started going around the table and asking to hear the state of people’s homes, lands, and animals. The first few were so soft-spoken that she could barely hear them, but Theo was patient as Gemma encouraged them to speak up. What they had to say filled her with sadness, but she was determined that they would make things right.

One thing was certain. Patrick MacDougal was an evil man.

At the end of the first table, a slender woman stood with fire in her eyes. “I was the seamstress who provided new clothes for the village, but yer father came and held swords to my throat, demanding that I was to make new boots for his men for the winter. I doonae work with leather, but it turned out that ye had killed the cobbler. The children went without new cloaks that year, and I still doonae have the fabric that I need to keep up with the workload. I have asked every guard member that has come by for one of yer precious reports, but still, there is no fabric.”

Gemma didn’t dare look in Theo’s direction, for she feared the guilt she would see on his face. “Theo is working hard to feed everyone, and I will take up the duties of buying more textiles. See me tomorrow, and I will find a way to get what you need.”

“I didnae kill the cobbler,” Theo said softly.

All eyes turned to him, and he rose to his feet. “‘Tis true that I have done unspeakable things under my father’s orders, but when I felt it was safe to defy those orders, I smuggled people out of the land. I have a list of those that were saved, and they were moved under orders to change their name and not return. I had thought my rebellion was a secret, but apparently my father knows, so it no longer matters if they return. I have a list. Those of ye who believe they have lost someone to my hand may come to me, and I will let ye know if they are truly dead.”

There was a keening sound, and Gemma turned to an older woman who was leaning over the table, tears in her eyes. “My son is alive?” she demanded.

“Aye, the cobbler was alive when I gave him safe passage.”

Suddenly, the keep was filled shouts as others demanded to know if their loved ones were truly dead. Theo held out his hand to silence them. “I realize that ye are filled with hope, but tonight is about seeing to the people who are still here and making certain that we all survive. I amnae my father. If ye go without cloaks and boots, then so will I. I wilnae take yer cattle or horseflesh to sell, and I wilnae raze yer land if ye cannae pay yer dues. Tomorrow, I will allow ye to make yer inquiries.”

Today, when Theo had passed out food, there had been gratefulness on the faces of the people, but now, for the first time, there was hope. Gemma was overcome with emotion, but she grew more unsettled as her stomach threatened to heave up the contents of the dinner she’d just made. She was just about to excuse herself when the wave of dizziness hit her.

“Theo...” she whispered as she stood, and the world fell away.

22

The voices were squabbling, their arguments echoing off the wall, and Gemma groaned. She was trying to sleep. Could they not keep it down?

“Aye, yer little birdie came to see me, but I didnae see her. I am far too busy to take care of yer English princess,” an old woman said shrilly.

Gemma knew that voice. Where did she know that voice?

“That little birdie is my wife and yer mistress, and ye will show her some respect,” Theo growled. “And she has spent weeks trying to build a bridge between the keep and the people so we can heal from the past!”

“Pah, she’s been spouting stories of yer heroics, and I doonae have time for that.”

“Ye will make time for it now, healer.”

Gemma opened her eyes and winced. Everything was so fuzzy, and she felt oddly drained. “Theo?” she asked faintly, and frowned when her words were slurred.

Instantly, he was by her side. “Aye, Gemma. I am here.”

“I feeeel sssstrange.” Were her words coming out right? Did they understand her?