Page 19 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance (Highland Revenge Trilogy #3)

“ W hat are you doing out of bed?” Torrance demanded, striding into the Great Hall, his steps echoing with authority.

“It has been three days, my lord, and I am feeling much better. I simply cannot abide another day in bed,” Esme said, sitting at the table nearest the hearth. The fire’s warmth was comforting, and she soaked it in while her fingers curled around a tankard.

Torrance’s eyes narrowed as his glance dropped to the table, seeing a half-eaten bowl of porridge. “What do you eat and drink? Who tasted it before giving it to you?”

“Brenna saw to it before she was called away to tend to a birth,” she responded, hoping that he would not order her back to bed since she had left it without his permission.

“You disobeyed my orders to remain in bed until I said otherwise,” he admonished, though was pleased to see her cheeks wore their usual soft blush.

She was ready to offer an apology, as usual, but he spoke before she could.

“I am pleased you are feeling well enough to be up and about, but don’t disobey me again,” he cautioned with a slight scowl.

She lowered her gaze. “Aye, my lord.”

Torrance dropped down on the bench opposite her at the table and a servant hurried to fill a tankard for him with hot cider from the jug on the table.

“I have given more thought to that old woman you told me about and decided to make the journey and see what we can find out. But not until you are well enough to travel.” He raised his hand when she rushed to respond.

“You are well enough when I say that you are. I will not have you traveling in the cold and turn worse because of it.”

The situation with her husband continued to baffle her.

Torrance never cared if she took ill. He would actually get annoyed at her if she wasn’t feeling well.

Tell her she was weak. That he had helped her, was concerned for her, when she had taken ill had shocked her.

He also had insisted she remained in his bedchamber, and he had visited with her throughout the day to see how she was doing.

That was something she never thought Torrance would do.

So, again she questioned her suspicions.

Though she could not ignore the possibility that he was playing some evil game with her. But why? To what end?

“Esme, you are not paying heed to me,” Torrance snapped.

She jumped at his sharp voice.

“Are you not feeling well?” he asked, annoyed. “You should not have gotten out of bed yet.”

“I am fine, my lord. My mind simply wanders.”

“Not when I am speaking to you,” he admonished, shook his head, then reached for her hand.

His fingers curled around hers and she watched as annoyance faded from his eyes replaced by concern. The change was startling as if a mask had dropped off his face and revealed another behind it.

“You will take care, wife, I need you,” he said, squeezing her hand gently.

His heart-felt words left her speechless since she actually believed he meant it, but then his mask suddenly returned along with his cold demeanor, and he let go of her hand.

“I need you to give me an heir.”

She bit her tongue ready to remind him that she was not the one failing to do her duty, but she feared the consequences of such careless words. She was relieved when Una entered the room with determined strides, her expression tight with purpose.

“My lord,” Una said, dipping her head only slightly before stopping short of the table. “I have news.”

Torrance’s brow furrowed and his tone was edged with irritation. “It took you long enough to complete the task. Three days now.”

Una planted her hands on her hips. “Aye, and it took that long because I don’t go flinging blame without cause… unlike some.” She met his glare without flinching.

Esme sent Una a warning look. The woman had a mind of her own and spoke it, but a free tongue would not serve her well here.

Torrance’s jaw tensed. “Watch yourself, Una. I’ve no patience for insolence.”

Una looked ready to snap at him, but she wisely took a breath before saying, “Aye, my lord.”

Esme almost smiled at how Una had acknowledged his warning but extended no apology.

“You better have good news for me, Una,” Torrance cautioned.

“No one in the kitchen had cause or chance to poison the food,” Una stated bluntly. “I questioned them all and watched their movements. I also caught their whispers. No one in the kitchen is the culprit.”

His eyes narrowed. “You disappoint me. If none in the kitchen are responsible, then who poisoned the meat?”

“I gave thought to that dilemma and recalled two monks who came by that day. They requested food. Something about them didn’t sit right with me.” She crossed her arms. “They were too watchful, too curious, and they never prayed before taking a bite of food.”

“Monks?” Torrance’s voice dropped low with suspicion. “You think they weren’t monks?”

“They wore the robes, but robes don’t make the man,” Una said.

“And they never offered a prayer in exchange for the food. It is something all monks do, offer prayer for the generosity of others. Nor did they ask if there were any ill people they could visit and pray for before they took their leave. They had no regard for anyone but themselves.”

Esme’s heart gave a small thud. “Do you think they poisoned the meat?”

“I’d not wager against it,” Una said. “They left well before nightfall, said they were heading north.”

Torrance’s gaze turned stormy. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“It took time to talk with everyone in the kitchen and make sure it wasn’t any of them. Then I had to think on who it might be as well as question others who saw or spoke to the monks to gather more information. I didn’t want to come to you with foolish nonsense.”

“You did well, Una,” Esme praised, hoping her husband would express the same appreciation for a task well done.

“She is a servant who completed a task I set for her. She needs nor deserves praise,” Torrance said with a scowl.

The door suddenly burst open and a strong, cold wind followed Brack in along with several of Torrance’s warriors who immediately took a stance along the sides of the hall.

“He comes unannounced,” Brack called out.

“I don’t care if I arrived without warning,” came the deep voice from the doorway.

Hakon, a massive Northmen with shoulders the width of boulders and long dark hair that fell in tangled waves strode into the Great Hall as if he owned it.

The jagged scar running down one side of his face warned he was a fearless warrior.

Four of his warriors followed like shadows, silent and menacing, and the room’s warmth seemed to chill.

Torrance, remained seated, glaring at the mighty warrior. “I warned you not to come on my land without summons.”

“My unannounced arrival would not be necessary if you had kept your word,” Hakon said with an angry grunt. “You promised me a wife, a Highland lass. Strong and fierce. And what do I get? Silence and delay.”

Torrance stood and rested his arms over his chest, displaying his annoyance. “Perhaps I was ensuring I did not send you someone you’d kill on the first night.”

Hakon let out a bark of laughter. “I want a woman with fire in her belly, not one who simpers and trembles. Don’t insult me with that weak talk.”

“Ignorant savage.”

“Who said that?” Hakon demanded, turning his head to cast a glance at everyone there. His eyes settled on Una and her eyes narrowed. Her wild red hair had fallen loose from its braid, and the tilt of her chin spoke volumes. “You,” he accused with a nod at her.

All eyes turned to look at Una.

“I won’t deny the truth,” Una said boldly.

“Hold your tongue, Una,” Torrance commanded.

“Who is she?” Hakon asked with interest.

“No one of concern,” Torrance said, not looking her way.

“She’s got the look of a hellcat,” Hakon muttered, stepping closer. “You said you had no suitable match, and yet this one prowls your hall?”

Una crossed her arms. “If you’re looking for someone to chain to your bedpost, try the stables.”

Murmurs rippled around the room. Brack froze in shock, Torrance shook his head, and Esme cringed waiting for either her husband or Hakon to explode in fury.

Hakon stared at Una, his expression unreadable, then slowly, he grinned. “I’ve broken warriors with gentler tongues.”

“I’ve made warriors cry with my sharp tongue,” she shot back.

He laughed, a low sound that rumbled in his chest. “You’ve spirit. I like that.”

“I don’t care what you like, savage. I’m no concern to you.”

“Take your leave now, Una,” Torrance ordered sharply.

“Nay,” Hakon said, still watching her. “Let her speak. I’m beginning to enjoy her company.”

Una rolled her eyes and strode past them all toward the kitchen again. “You’re all mad,” she muttered. “Best you not drag me into it.”

As the door closed behind her, Hakon turned back to Torrance. “She’ll do. I’ll take her with me.”

Torrance didn’t answer at once. He watched the door for a moment longer.

Esme worried what he might be thinking and silently prayed for Una, her heartbeat catching at his response.

“I’ll consider it.” Torrance turned to his wife. “Go rest. I have matters to see to.”

“Aye, my lord,” Esme said and left the room reluctantly, her worry for Una growing.

Food and drink were brought out for Hakon’s warriors to enjoy but Torrance’s warriors remained standing guard. Torrance and Hakon retreated to the table on the dais while Brack remained nearby.

Hakon took the tankard filled with ale from the servant with a grunt, his eyes fixed on the door Una had disappeared through. “She’d bite before she’d bow.”

“Then you’ll need a strong hand to hold the leash,” Torrance said, not partaking of the ale.

Hakon’s lips curled. “I don’t leash women. I challenge them, but most don’t have the stamina or courage to deal with me.”

Torrance studied him. “Una is no docile woman. She’ll claw your eyes out if you corner her.”