Highlander's Beautiful Liar A Scottish Medieval Highlander Romance Historical Novel - Adamina Young Page 0,12

away, Louise tossed her cleaning rag over her shoulder and marched toward Cora. Picking up the knife, she brandished it threateningly. “Answer the question, lassie.”

Cora stood up calmly. Louise wouldn’t kill her. She wouldn’t dare. “You didn’t ask a question,” she pointed out. “But I’m sure the rumors have reached you. I was incarcerated for stealing, but I maintain my innocence. The new laird will not release me until he’s sure.”

“Maybe, but I doonae know what a dainty English thing like yerself is doing in the Highlands unless ye were up to no good,” Louise retorted as she put the knife down. “Ye can’t stay in the kitchen. Ye have no idea what yer doing. I suggest that ye go clean out the chamber pots,” she said with a wicked smile. “Ye can return at dinnertime and help serve the men. Mebbe there’ll be something left for ye to eat when yer done.”

“How kind of you,” Cora said bitterly. It was clear to her that Louise was going to punish her for a number of crimes, the first being English. It didn’t even begin to touch on the cruelty of Seth and Innes, so she simply nodded her head and went to complete her duties.

At her slow pace, it took her until dinner to complete the job. Finally, aching and weary, she joined Mary in the kitchen. Thankfully, Louise was nowhere to be found.

“There ye are,” Mary hissed. “Where have ye been?”

“I have been chained up for six months. I do not move as quickly as I used to,” Cora said shortly. “But I am here now. What do you require of me?”

Mary’s eyes immediately widened. “Six months?” she whispered. “What did ye do?”

“I have already answered that question. Nothing. I really prefer not to discuss it.”

She could see the sympathy in Mary’s eyes, and she hated it. She didn’t want the girl’s sympathy. She just wanted to finish her duties so she could eat and go to bed.

“I’ve already brought the food out for the laird and his men. Ye can help me with the rest, and then ye just need to make sure that everyone’s cup of ale stays full,” Mary instructed. She grabbed a few plates and headed out.

Cora carefully balanced a plate on her forearm and grasped two other plates before following the girl out. She didn’t know what to expect from the main hall, but when she walked in on the dozens of Scottish men, she felt her blood run cold.

Freezing under their curious gazes, she thought about fleeing. How far could she get before they caught her? Could she get to a horse? Did she really think that she could outride a highlander? That she could navigate the treacherous terrain?

Her eyes landed on Alec. He smiled gently at her, and she found the strength to start breathing again. Despite his threats the other night, she discovered that he was her anchor when her fear threatened to drown her. Focusing on one foot in front of the other, she finished serving the food. Hurrying back to the kitchens, she pressed her back against the wall and tried to slow her rapid heartbeat.

“What is wrong with ye?” Mary hissed when she came back. “Ye look positively mad out there!”

“It’s nothing,” Cora said as she swallowed hard. “Just getting used to everything. What did you say I was to do next?”

Mary muttered an oath under her breath and shoved a pitcher of ale in her hand. “Ye cannae make us look bad in front of the new laird.”

Struggling to get her fear under control, Cora bravely made her way back to the main hall. She tried not to let the open lustful stares bother her, and she did her best not to talk. She knew what kind of trouble she’d be inviting if she let them know she was English.

Silently refilling cups, she did her best to keep her distance. A few men tried to grab her, but she danced out of reach and kept moving. Once she got to the end of the table, she hurried back to find solace in the kitchen.

Just as she reached the last man, she turned to the kitchens but a scuffle caught her attention. Turning her head, she saw that two men had imprisoned a struggling Mary between them as they tried to kiss her.

“Stop!” she cried out.

Rage swept through her, and before she knew what she was doing, she climbed up on the table and raced to the servant’s