Chapter 18
B eth’s heart slammed against her ribs. Wide-eyed, she whispered, “Please repeat thyself, husband.”
For some reason a mischievous twinkle came into his eye as he kissed her knuckles. “‘Tis apparent from yer expression ye heard me well enough.”
Her pounding heart and racing blood made her body quake. He finally understood!
Duncan pushed back his chair. “Come, dearest lady, we must yet speak…in private.”
Feeling herself blush for no good reason, she turned her attention to the room. “But our guests, surely…” She glanced quickly from the musicians as they readied for the evening’s entertainment to her room full of guests. Her gaze, as if by its own accord, fell on Flora sitting in the middle of the second row before her. Beth frowned.
The beautiful woman’s hands were at her throat, her normally porcelain complexion had darkened to a deep fuchsia, and her eyes were wide in panic.
Damn! Wondering why the woman couldn’t choke to death in private, Beth jumped to her feet, yanking her hand from Duncan’s relaxed grip. Ignoring his startled exclamation, she ran around the table and back toward the center isle.
As she slid between the rows, the man to Flora’s left, apparently realizing his dinner companion was in trouble, slammed her hard on the back to no effect. Beth elbowed him aside to get directly behind Flora.
Adrenaline had the blood pounding in her ears as she wrapped her arms under Flora’s ribs. She made a fist and pulled back with everything she had in one quick motion right below Flora’s solar plexus. Within a heartbeat a large piece of meat flew out of the young woman’s mouth and across the table. Beth released her own breath when she heard Flora’s rewarding gasp of air.
“Are you okay—-better—now?”
With tears in her eyes and her coloring returning to normal, Flora nodded.
“Good.” Beth held Flora’s tankard to her lips. “Now take a small sip.” When she swallowed without difficulty, Beth patted her shoulder.
God, can you give it a rest? Enough, already.
Miss I’m Too Sexy was her third choking rescue in as many years. And who said food service didn’t have its perks?
She looked up to find Duncan and the Bruce standing shoulder-to-shoulder staring at her. The Bruce simply scowled, but was it astonishment or appreciation lurking in Duncan’s steel gray eyes? No matter. He had his lover back and had her to thank for it. And right now she needed a drink. Or two. Maybe three.
Duncan remained standing until Beth flopped down in her chair. At his side the Bruce murmured, “Ye did not exaggerate, MacDougall, claiming yer wife was resourceful.”
Duncan nodded as he reached for the flagon of wine. Silently he topped off Beth’s goblet. Still unnerved by her quick and successful action—for he’d seen a good man choke to death as Flora nearly had, he handed her the goblet. “Here, lass, ye need this.”
“Thank you.”
Rachael came to her side and squeezed her shoulders. “ Mon ami! I didna ken what was happening until the venison took flight.”
They all glanced at Flora who, having recovered her composure, now spoke with her hapless male rescuer. Rachael whispered, “Ye must enseigner —-demonstrer—-ooh…” She flapped her hands in frustration.
“ Teach is the word ye seek,” Isaac murmured coming to his wife’s side. He smiled at Beth. “’Twas well done, my lady.” To his wife, he said, “Come, let our lady take meat in peace. Ye can speak of this later.” He bowed to Beth and took Rachael’s arm to lead her away.
Angus finally looked up from his trencher. He expelled a large burp and asked, “What? Did I miss something?”
Beth suddenly laughed. Her laughter then escalated to the point of tears and gasping.
“My lady?” Duncan eyed Beth closely.
Between gasps she managed, “I’m fine.” She waved him to his seat. “Ask the musicians…to play.” She looked down the table at Angus only to start laughing again. The Bruce sensing something equally amusing joined her. Giving up, Duncan did as she bid and the room filled with the lilting tones of a flute and mandolin.
Two goblets of wine later Beth began humming and tapping her foot.
The Bruce leaned toward him. “Ye lady appears ready to dance.”
Beth started in surprise. “Can we dance, Duncan? Really?”
He grinned. Aye, his ladywife, looking decidedly lovely tonight, was also decidedly in her cups. He’d yet to get her alone again—-to plead his case—but said, “Why not.” The night was young.
He motioned the lass clearing the tables to him. “Please clear the sitting area for dancing.” As she walked away he called, “And tell Sean we have need of his pipes.”
#
Watching Beth and his liege lord whirling in circles to the deafening music, Isaac whispered in French, “What say ye, my love? Is she sane or not?”
“Odd to be sure, my dear, but saner than you and I together.” Rachael studied the dancing pair for a moment. “It has been discussed that if it be His will, some do return, no?”
Isaac nodded, having heard a rabbi ponder reincarnation.
Pensive, she continued, “It would explain Beth’s beliefs and different ways.” She then grinned watching them dance. “She’s in love with him, you know.”
“Yes. And he with her, though he’s yet to realize it. If she doesn’t forgive him soon, he’ll drive us all into our cups.”
His wife frowned. “He deserves to be punished.”
“Aye, but do we?” He took Rachael’s hand. “He drills the men unmercifully as he works to regain his strength, grumbles incessantly and still harbors an unhealthy hatred for him .” He nodded toward the Bruce now dancing with Lady Flora.
“There’s little any of us can do to solve our liege’s problems, husband.”
He studied Flora Campbell. “You have done well keeping Flora away from Lady Beth.”
His wife snorted. “The witch does not comprehend the danger she courts with her constant attempts to speak with Beth. You should have seen our lady’s expression when I told her Flora would be present tonight. Beth may be skilled in many ways, but she is not adept when it comes to hiding her true sentiments.”
“Aye, but mayhap, you can solve everyone’s problems.”
Rachael gaped at her husband. “And how am I to do that?”
“Duncan has learned Flora meets with a man of the Bruce clan in Oban. He asks that you accompany her whenever she leaves the keep. Should she meet this man and you see this, then Duncan will have just cause to send her—lock, stock and baggage—back to Dunstaffnage Castle. He’ll be rid of her without having to worry about a Campbell reprisal. In fact, the Campbell would need worry should Duncan hear she’d not been punished appropriately for her duplicity.”
“Aye, that’s all well and good, but who will care for our son as I traipse after this thorn in everyone’s side?”
“I, my love.” When she looked askance at him and raised a brow, he mumbled, “I know. I’ve been negligent in my duties to both of you of late. If you do this, I promise to begin preparing Jacob for his Bar Mitzvah.” He grinned sheepishly. Rachael had been after him for months to start.
Rachael heaved a resigned sigh. “As you wish, but you’d best keep a careful eye on Jacob. He has it in his head to become a knight, and too often I’ve caught him wielding a sword.”
Though he saw no harm in Jacob learning a knight’s skills Isaac nodded to placate his wife. He then turned his attention to the hall’s occupants only to spy Flora, flushed and eyes blazing, marching away from the Bruce.
He frowned. “Now what have we here?”