The Highlander's Destiny (Highland Rogues #2) - Mary Wine Page 0,58

in response to Cora’s inquiry.

“Or perhaps I should say a bride with good character should seek to earn her place through more than bed service. Yes?”

It was a scarlet topic, but Cora stared directly at Orla. Cora wouldn’t be the one blushing because she’d answered.

Orla took a long moment to contemplate Cora. Her stern expression relaxed a bit as she appeared to see Cora for the first time as someone more than an unwelcome stranger.

“Not a bad way to be thinking,” Orla conceded.

A few mouths dropped open in response. Orla proved just how alert she was, for she turned and pegged those gaping at her with a stern look. The activity at the worktables returned to normal.

Well, ye won the point, but now ye are stuck in the kitchens.

Cora smiled at her own bittersweet victory. The sharpness of it was far too amusing to be missed!

*

There were two meals a day in the great hall.

With the days growing shorter and the harvest finished, the fare offered was strictly measured. Whatever was in the storerooms had to last until the following summer. The first meal was simple, porridge and some late-season fruit. The main meal was supper. It was served late in the afternoon but long enough before sunset to allow for the cleaning of the kitchens and dishes. Younger children were set to watch for when Orla gave the word to begin serving. They would run in all directions in the stronghold to cry out the news.

The McKays were an impressive clan. When the Retainers filled the hall, their number was formidable. Orla was to be commended, for she knew how to manage her resources.

Faolan was at the head table looking slightly ill at ease. Yestin was seated beside him and sent him a stern look. Cora smiled as she looked in from the passageway opening at the end of the hall. During his banishment at the towers, Faolan had embraced his own wild tendencies.

They had more in common than he realized.

I thought ye were not going to beg?

Oh, she wasn’t, Cora assured herself. Yet, neither was she going to duck her chin and be shuttled off home like some errant, half-grown child.

She entered the hall, and the conversation level dropped off until there was nothing but her footsteps on the stone floor.

Unbridled. She truly was. But to be such, she’d needed to cultivate confidence. Cora used every bit of it to keep her pace slow and steady. The moment Faolan looked up, she felt the connection between them. No matter if he sent her home within the hour, Cora knew without a doubt that she’d always remember the way his gaze made her heart accelerate.

Damn him…

Her temper stirred, but it had a purpose. Cora maintained her composure as she reached the end of the hall where the high ground was. The laird’s table was resting on a platform with three steps leading up. Faolan’s captains were seated to his left.

Cora stopped and reverenced. It gained her a murmur of approval from the McKay. Faolan didn’t raise her, though. She remained in position for a long moment before Yestin leaned close to Faolan and muttered next to his ear.

“Join us,” Faolan bit out.

He pressed his lips into a hard line of frustration as Cora made no effort at all to control the way her own lips curved into a smile.

At his expense.

Well, he shouldn’t have kissed ye…

No, he shouldn’t have, and Cora wasn’t going to think too hard upon just whether or not she wished he hadn’t.

Ye enjoyed it full well…

True, but she might just have to live with the memory of it while enduring another man’s touch.

A Retainer had stood to follow her up onto the high ground. He pulled out the large chair waiting for her. Orla might have been wearing a disapproving look, but the Head-of-House knew her duties well. Her staff was waiting with a bowl of water. The first woman presented it to Faolan, so he might wash his hands, while another followed him with a length of linen. Cora was next and then on to each captain in order of age.

Orla was in the mood to prove her superior skills. The plates for the high table were salted next. Salt was poured over the plates, and then it was rubbed into the surface with a bit of stale bread before being wiped clean. Such service ensured there was no poison. Each plate was sat neatly in front of them all the while behind them,