The Highlander's Destiny (Highland Rogues #2) - Mary Wine Page 0,65
man is still living in the village. He has a grown son as well. One educated by yer father. Malcolm dismissed them both, for he liked to have a reason to sit there.”
Faolan felt his spirits lift. “I’ll ride down to invite them back meself.”
With a solid reason to escape the office, Faolan was up and out of his chair.
And he didn’t look back.
“Ye’ll miss supper,” Yestin remarked as they rode out into the courtyard.
“Aye. We’ll eat when we’ve finished our day.”
And they’d be back by sunset. He felt anticipation surging through him. It might have been the fresh air in his face or the sensation of being atop a horse after spending the last few days inside.
Or he could simply be honest and admit he wasn’t at all certain he might sit beside Cora at the high table and not give in to the urge to carry her off to bed once more. She’d likely toss another stool at him if he did that.
He enjoyed her temper.
Faolan grinned as he leaned over the neck of his horse. The animal was powerful, and it suited his mood. His cock was hardening again, and he didn’t try to master the impulse.
He’d come to terms with the fact that he was a beast a long time ago.
Cora was the thing that soothed him. Or perhaps it was better to say she was the warmth that drove the ice from his veins. He’d gone to the towers to take solace in the unknown. Noreen had soured his taste for refinement of any sort.
Especially ladies.
Cora was a curious blending of poise and passion. She might keep her composure while walking down the center hall of the McKay, as regal as a princess, and yet she’d stood up after being flung at his feet by the river and shook her fist at the storm as a mythical creature from some winter fable. She’d rekindled his desire for home and hearth with a simple meal and the demand for clean hands at her table.
Tonight, he’d seek her out again. It felt as essential as his next meal.
But first, he’d be worthy of her.
There was rain on the wind. Faolan rode headlong into it with his teeth bared. For the first time, he felt the need to excel in his new position. The memory of Cora sitting beside him at the high table burned in his mind. His mother had been driven out of the stronghold. Now he was laird. Justice had prevailed in the most unlikely of turns.
It would seem that evildoers did, in fact, reap what they sowed. For Noreen had been Malcolm’s death after all.
And now, Faolan was going to make very sure he was a laird worthy of the woman he’d taken as wife.
*
Faolan missed supper.
Cora realized she’d been holding her breath as she approached the hall, eager to see him and yet certain he’d figure out from her blushes that she’d been discussing him with Brynna.
Oh, the things ye learned…
Brynna had proven that Cora truly wasn’t as unbridled as so many claimed she was. At least so far as worldly knowledge went.
Ye mean frank knowledge…
Her cheeks began to heat. Cora pushed the topic aside and focused on the moment. Orla was waiting on her to begin the meal.
The laird’s table only had two of the younger captains sitting at it. But the tables running up and down the length of the hall were full to bursting. Retainers were crowded so tightly together, there would be some bruised elbows and ribs after the meal.
“Seems everyone wants a look at ye,” Brynna muttered.
Any man who was a Retainer had the right to take his meals in the hall, but many of them had wives and homes. Today they were here in force, and every single man turned to look toward Cora as she made her way to the high ground.
Her chair was pulled out for her, and Orla began the washing of hands with Cora. Conversation still hadn’t started back up as she dried her hands.
“The laird rode toward the village,” Brynna whispered next to Cora’s ear.
One of the captains stood and took command of the blessing. The maids began to carry out the food as conversations began once more. It was still hushed as the men ate and eyed her while chewing. Cora had taken too many meals to count at head tables, yet she struggled to remain poised and collected. Brynna stood behind her, acting as the perfect lady’s companion.