I don’t want any trouble, my lord. I swear on my soul I’m not who you’re looking for.”
He made a growling noise, standing and walking over to the windows. “Ye see, I think you’re saying these things to cause me angst. For months, I’ve wondered where ye were, if you were safe, who ye were with? And now I know. I must admit I’m a little disappointed in ye. I thought you would’ve travelled to your family in England rather than stay in the wilds of Scotland ye so detested.”
“Again, my lord, I must state that I am not the Coira you seek and to be honest, I’m getting sick of you singling me out over it. Perhaps you should ask yourself why it is that she decided to leave you in the first place.” His eyes burned with hatred and pinned her to the spot. Never had she seen such menace swirling about in soulless eyes. She shivered.
“Why don’t you tell me, then?”
“Because I am not her!” she yelled, standing and storming over to where he stood. “I’m going to say this once, and only once. I’m not her, so if it’s Coira you seek, perhaps you ought to visit her family and start your search there.”
A servant walked past and cast them a curious look.
“I know you’re a lying wench, and I’ll prove it before I leave. Don’t cross me any more than you already have, my sweet little bride-to-be. It wouldn’t be in your best interest.”
“Are you threatening me? Really?” Abby went nose to nose with him, well, nose to chest anyway, and glared. A muscle worked in his jaw, and for a moment she regretted getting so close to him. “I won’t hesitate to tell Laird MacLeod of your continual annoyance over this matter. I’ve never met you in my life and from what I’ve seen of you since last night, I’m thankful for that. Now if you don’t mind, I have things to do. Have a pleasant day.”
Abby took a step and gasped when he clasped her arm and wrenched her back up against his chest.
“I don’t like being made a fool of, lass. Keep up your inability to remember me, and my patience will expire.”
His voice, devoid of emotion or feeling, left her colder than the stone of the castle walls. Abby wrenched herself free, absently rubbing her flesh. “Don’t ever touch me again. Ever.” Abby walked toward the stairs as Gwen came down. “I’m tired, Gwen, I’m going to head up to my room for a little while, if that’s okay.”
Gwen nodded. “Of course. Will you be down for dinner?”
“Yes, but not before.” Abby smiled to hide her unease. The heat of Rory Kirk’s glare on her back followed her upstairs until she was out of sight.
Later that night she rolled over and cuddled up to Aedan who slept beside her. A cold weather front had come through during late afternoon, and the games had finished early. Aedan had sought her out, and finding her asleep, had awakened her in the most delicious way possible, allowing her, for a time, to forget the vile Rory Kirk.
“Aedan, are you asleep?” He murmured something unintelligible and she smiled. “Wake up, I need to tell you something.”
“Hmm,” he said, stroking her back with his arm, making her skin prickle. “What is it, lass?”
“I need to tell you what Rory Kirk keeps doing to me.”
She felt him come full awake, his muscles tightening at her words. “He better nay be doing anything with ye.”
His tone was deadly and she leaned up, kissing him on the cheek. “Nothing like that, I promise you.” Eww, the thought of being intimate with the man was enough to make her vomit. “He keeps harassing me about being this Coira woman he’s lost. Every chance he gets to corner me alone, he tries to make me admit it.”
“Why did ye not tell me when this happened, lass? I would’ve put a stop to it immediately.”
All day Abby had debated telling him of the man’s persistence, but then thought better of it before changing her mind yet again. She’d hoped that if maybe she continued to deny his claims, he’d soon look past her similarities to this Coira woman and move on. But his glower during this evening’s meals had made her uneasy. Abby had to tell Aedan what was going on. “Worried, I suppose. I didn’t want to make any more trouble for you, considering everything that was happening here already. I’m