Chapter 14 #2
"I seem to have finished the pile from this morn. Do ye have something for me?"
"Nothing at present. Though perhaps in the future ye could mend something for me."
"What is it?"
"My broken heart," he said. "It refuses to beat properly since ye abandoned me this morn."
Una snorted and burst out laughing. "Who knew the Shadow could behave like such a spoiled bairn when he does not get his way."
Cormac grinned. "Ye have no idea, love."
***
THE REMAINDER OF THE morning flew by with everyone taking their ease, either within the inn or outdoors. Some snoozed by the fire or flirted with the maids. Others played cards in the barn or the common room. Ale flowed freely.
It was not long before Una realized something.
By afternoon their party was the only one in the inn.
The earlier guests had gone, the rooms filled with his men, and it slowly became clear that Cormac had hired out the entire establishment.
Tam, who she discovered was quite the gossip, confirmed it: “Shadow did not want any man he did not know making ye feel unsafe.” For some reason that endeared him to her all the more, until she remembered that Cormac was doing it for Fenella. Who she was not.
She mended three more garments in the afternoon. Even Cormac brought her a shirt with a collar that had been coming away for months. She reattached it properly and he held it up afterwards and examined it with such satisfaction that she found herself smiling.
Her smile distracted him so completely that he turned to leave and walked straight into the doorframe. "Ouch! Dammit!"
She giggled and tried to muffle it behind her hand.
Cormac turned around. "Oh, ye find that funny, do ye?"
"No, not at all," she replied, mirth in her eyes.
"Aye, ye do. Well then, that deserves punishment."
"What kind of punishment?"
"The tickling kind!" he yelled.
Una shrieked and bolted. She ran around the table and took off through the common room with Cormac in pursuit, both of them laughing, weaving around the men. She tried to duck behind Seumas and Donal who were playing cards.
"Anyone helping her escape is on guard duty for a sennight," Cormac called.
The men moved aside immediately.
"No fair!" Una shouted.
"Sorry, miss, but I hate guard duty," Donal said.
"Then I'll never mend yer garments again, ye lout!"
He just laughed and shook his head.
Una was caught. Cormac tickled her and she shrieked with laughter, and he chuckled, and the sound was contagious until the entire room was laughing at the sight of them.
Then Maisie appeared in the doorway and declared that if they wanted to play like bairns they should take it outside, and supper would be on the table in ten minutes.
That made everyone roar with laughter.
Eventually they all settled. Thirsty from the chase, Una accepted a large cup of ale and downed it quickly. The afternoon meal was served and once again Cormac dished out the choicest cuts for her as they ate together in a big, noisy group.
As the afternoon wore into evening the men taught Una some card games.
She enjoyed the challenge, though she had a strong suspicion they were letting her win.
At one point she was nearly certain she was about to lose to Tam, and then she caught Cormac giving him a death stare, and suddenly Tam lost and she won. She stored that away and said nothing.
As the night wore on Cormac was a steady presence at her side. He accompanied her to the outdoor privy and washroom and made sure the path was well lit.
If he stepped away at various times during the evening to speak to his men, she would find Seumas or Ros already beside her, ready to fetch anything she needed.
She had two pints by then, which was about all she could manage.
She had always been a lightweight and she knew better than to push it.
Drink loosened tongues and she could not afford that, not here, not with these men, not when every secret she was carrying would come tumbling out after a third cup.
She and Bella MacKinnon had learned that lesson thoroughly enough at the local tavern, with Boyd often having to wade in and escort them home.
Una was warm and pleasantly content in a way she had not expected. The company was good, the food was hearty, the conversation was boisterous. Then someone began to sing.
She was surprised to realise it was Cormac. He had a beautiful voice. He should have been a bard.
As the night settled around them she found herself lost in it: the firelight, the laughter, the sound of him singing. She let herself imagine, just for a moment, how lovely it would be if this was her life. A hearth full of people who enjoyed her company. A man who made her feel seen.
Then the thought that followed was a cold one. She dreaded going home to her tiny cottage. Dreaded more the moment these men discovered she was no lady and there was no reward to be had when they handed her over.
She really needed to escape. Tonight, if she could manage it. Now was not the time to be falling in love with a man she was lying to every minute she remained in his presence. She steeled herself and set her resolve.
That lasted about ten minutes.
Because one thing Una had forgotten about drinking ale was that it made her sleepy.
One moment she was listening to Cormac sing, and the next her eyes drooped and she felt herself being lifted and carried.
She turned her face into the warm chest and inhaled the familiar scent of him.
That was the last thing she remembered before she slept.
***
CORMAC KNEW, WITHOUT question, that he was in love with Lady Fenella. He could deny it no longer.
As he carried her to bed he felt her body settle against his with complete trust, and he loved that she turned toward him even in sleep.
He was going to make sure she reached her father safely, and then he was going to set about making the necessary plans to offer for her hand.
He smiled thinking on the day they had just had. He wanted so many more like it.
He laid her on the bed and removed her slippers and kirtle, leaving her in her shift.
Then he readied himself for bed, blew out the candle, and climbed in beside her.
It was not long before he was wrapped around her and she had snuggled closer, and he breathed in her scent and let out a long, slow breath.
Everything felt right.
In the morning he would tell her his plans. He fell asleep with a smile.
***