Highlander Most Wanted Page 0,103

whore.

And when Rorie had seen the few dresses that Genevieve owned, she’d instantly vowed to set the women of the keep to sewing more for Genevieve.

Rorie urged her down the stairs and into the hall, where it already bustled with activity as the evening meal was being served. She hurried toward the raised dais, where Bowen already sat, and beamed at her brother as she directed Genevieve to take one of the empty places on either side of Bowen.

Rorie took the other one, her eyes dancing with excitement as she scooted the bench closer to the table.

Bowen reached underneath the table and curled his fingers around Genevieve’s hand, squeezing in a silent message. The gesture comforted her and she squeezed back.

“Do your new accommodations fit your needs?” he asked. “And did Rorie manage to settle you in?”

“ ’Tis perfect,” Genevieve said in a sincere voice. “Rorie did far too much. I feel like a pampered princess. ’Twas not necessary to go to so much trouble.”

Bowen shot Rorie a grateful look. “There was every reason. I want you to be comfortable and happy. You’ve suffered enough ill fortune. ’Tis time for someone to care for you as they should.”

Her cheeks heated at the intimacy in his voice. She prayed that Rorie hadn’t been paying attention to all that Bowen had said.

“ ’Tis odd not to have Graeme, Teague, and Eveline at the evening meal,” Rorie said. “ ’Tis my hope that everyone will be returned soon. There is too much chaos of late. ’Twas much better when nothing ever happened and it was quiet around the keep.”

Though her tone was teasing, Genevieve didn’t miss the wistful note that crept into her voice. The lass obviously loved her family and missed them when they weren’t near.

“Graeme and Eveline will be home on the morrow,” Bowen supplied. “I know not when Teague will be returned. He is assuming my duties at McHugh Keep.”

Rorie’s face fell and she looked down at her plate, toying with the food in front of her.

“He’ll not stay gone forever, sweeting,” Bowen said in a gentle voice.

He leaned toward Genevieve. “Rorie is especially close to Teague. She’s taking his absence hard.”

Genevieve nodded, and then she paused, staring at Bowen.

“Do you know what I like best about Montgomery Keep so far?”

Bowen cocked his head, his lips curving into a delighted smile. “What’s that?”

“The food,” she exclaimed. “If I am never forced to eat another meal prepared by a McHugh, it will be too soon.”

Bowen laughed, a deep, rich, throaty sound that was pleasurable to Genevieve’s ears.

“I find I agree with you there, lass.”

Rorie’s nose wrinkled. “Was it so bad?”

“Yes!” Bowen and Genevieve answered in unison.

Rorie laughed. “ ’Tis little wonder, then, that you haven’t fallen on the meal before you.”

“I’m trying to exert a little control,” Genevieve said with a grin.

Bowen and Rorie both chuckled.

What Genevieve noticed most was that the members of the Montgomery clan were open and friendly. Rorie had related that it hadn’t always been so, and that the women of the clan, particularly, had shown a lot of animosity toward Eveline when Graeme had married her.

Genevieve had felt instant sympathy for Eveline, because she knew well what it was like to have such hatred directed at her.

But so far the women—and the men—had been nothing but courteous and warm toward Genevieve. She had no idea if ’twas their natural inclination or Bowen had issued a stern warning.

Bowen leaned over so his words would only be heard by Genevieve. “When we’ve finished our meal, let’s take a walk. I’ll show you the outside of the keep.”

There was more in his voice, a frustration that they hadn’t spent any time together since their arrival. Her cheeks grew warm with pleasure, and she smiled back at him.

“I’d like that.”

This time it was she who found his hand under the table and gave it a squeeze. He laced his fingers through hers and held tightly until they were forced to disentangle their hands in order to eat.

At the finish, Rorie looked expectantly in Genevieve’s direction, but Bowen was quick to interject himself.

“I am taking Genevieve around the grounds outside the keep. I’ll escort her to her chamber when we are finished. There’s no need for you to wait on her.”

Rorie pursed her lips and surveyed Bowen and Genevieve with a keen eye, which told Genevieve the lass wasn’t fooled in the least. A grin curved her lips and a mischievous light entered her eyes.

“I think I shall go find Father