Cassian (The Immortal Highland Centurions #2) - Jayne Castel Page 0,41
to see a show of loyalty.”
“Ye don’t want to make Longshanks wait too long,” John Comyn’s voice rumbled through the solar. “The man’s got a mean temper on him.”
A few feet away, David De Keith snorted before raising his goblet to his lips and taking a large gulp. “Some of us kneel easier than others, Comyn.”
An uncomfortable silence settled in the guests’ solar. Cassian drew in a deep breath and bit back the urge to warn the laird to lower his voice.
After the nooning meal, they’d gathered in the large chamber that overlooked the King’s Knot and the deer park beyond. Unexpectedly, Comyn had joined them, although he’d taken the precaution of using the servants’ stairs up from the kitchen, rather than the main stairwell guarded by English soldiers. It was best that Edward didn’t know they were meeting in secret.
Nonetheless, De Keith wasn’t being as prudent as the Guardian of Scotland. Standing before the hearth, the laird had virtually shouted his last comment.
“A wise man picks his fights,” Comyn spoke up after a pause. “Don’t underestimate Edward of England.”
“I’m not … but I’d rather not drop to my knees before him and beg to suck his rod.”
Across the chamber, Lady Gavina paled at her husband’s crudity, while a few feet away, Elizabeth drew in a shocked gasp.
“David … please,” Lady Gavina murmured, “there’s no need for that.”
De Keith swiveled, spearing his wife with a withering glance. Gavina sat near the window, a spindle in one hand and a basket of bright red wool upon her lap.
“Mind yer manners, De Keith,” Comyn growled, his bearded face creasing into a scowl. “There are ladies present.”
The laird sneered, before he lifted his goblet once more, draining it.
“We have to think of Robert,” Lady Elizabeth said, her tone wintry. “If we cooperate, Edward might release him.”
“I’m far more concerned with finding out what Longshanks is planning,” De Keith shot back. “And then getting safely back to Dunnottar.”
Elizabeth gasped. “But Robert’s yer brother!”
The laird ignored his sister-by-marriage and crossed to the side-board. He went to pour himself a cup of wine. “This jug’s empty,” he snapped, turning to his wife. “Where’s that maid of yers?”
“She’ll be next door, folding and pressing our washing,” Gavina replied stiffly.
“Well, get her in here!”
His wife cleared her throat. “Aila,” she called.
A long moment passed, and then the door to the next room opened and a comely brown-haired lass entered.
Despite his previous determination to wall himself off to Aila De Keith, Cassian went still at the sight of her.
As always, she wore her long walnut-colored hair unbound, although today she’d pulled the front of it back so that it didn’t annoy her while she worked. Her cheeks bore a becoming blush, and her moss-green kirtle clung to her supple curves.
Before he could stop himself, Cassian’s gaze roamed over her, remembering just how soft and warm her body had been pressed up against his. Her hair had smelled of lavender. And when his attention rested on her full mouth, his groin tightened at the memory of how she’d tasted: sweet, fresh, and all woman.
Hades, I have to stop this.
Cassian tore his attention from the lovely maid, his pulse racing now.
Did he have no self-control at all? Hadn’t he vowed the night before that he would distance himself from Aila from now on? And yet all it had taken was for her to step into the room and his resolve splintered.
He didn’t understand. For long years, he’d found it easy to keep himself walled off from women. None of the lovers he’d taken since Lilla had come close to capturing his heart; he’d made sure of that.
Aila was shy, unsure of herself, and achingly young compared to his old, weathered soul, and yet when he’d kissed her, he hadn’t been the one in control.
“Fill this jug with wine,” De Keith ordered, shattering Cassian’s reverie. He picked up the offending item and shoved it at her.
“Aye, De Keith,” she murmured. Her gaze shifted around the solar, taking in the tense faces. She would realize that she’d just walked into a heated discussion. She looked at Cassian last, and treacherously, his gaze sought hers.
And for an instant, they merely stared at each other.
Cassian’s breathing quickened. This wasn’t what he wanted. Why couldn’t he stop from gawking at her?
And then Aila dipped her chin, severing the connection. A moment later, she left the solar, clutching the jug to her side.
Cassian watched her leave, and when he turned his attention back to his companions, he