Page 30 of Alec

Chapter Eight

Acold night of freezing temperatures made the search of Dun Talamh unpleasant, but after a day the men found nothing to explain what had happened to Elspeth, which only added to Alec’s aggravation. The laird assigned extra guards to watch over their vassals at night and sent additional watchers to man the walls and towers. Ben kept the chambermaid in his infirmary as he tried different methods to release her from her glassy shroud without success. Farlan began making rounds every morning with a census he coordinated with the senior chieftains to ensure no one went missing.

As for Alec, he had been putting off returning to his chamber in the garrison hall, and he knew he couldn’t do that forever.

Darro intercepted him as he finished another sweep of the passages around the great hall. “We searched all day and half the night. Go to bed.”

“If you wake tomorrow and find us all frozen, what shall you do, chieftain?” Alec demanded. “Take a war hammer to the clan? I protect my brothers. If you dinnae wish aid me, leave me alone.”

“As you did Mistress Gibson in the garrison hall?” Darro countered. “She shouldnae be there, War Master. Bring her back to the stronghold—unless you mean to claim her as your lover?”

Alec walked away from the chieftain, but the fool came after him calling his name. Finally he stopped and faced him in the kitchens. “Dinnae push me, Brother. I’m no’ in the mood.”

“If you want her so badly, she shall wait. As would any female in Dun Talamh.” The chieftain’s placid eyes shone with a shrewdness he usually kept concealed. “Only I reckon she wishes you to wait.”

He wanted to punch his half-brother for his awareness. “So I shall, with great patience and willingness.”

Darro uttered a short laugh. “Havenae you ever met you, War Master?”

As Alec’s fists bunched, the clan’s cook came to stand between them, a wooden spoon in her hand. She held it like a cudgel as she gave them both a look of steely resolve.

“Right, then, lads. ’Tis my kitchens, thus I decide who stays and who goes. First, the one who cannae shut his mouth.” She pointed at the chieftain, and then toward the great hall. “Healer shallnae leave Elspeth’s side. Go and see what herbs and such he needs and fetch them.” When Darro opened his mouth to reply she tapped him under the chin with the spoon. “Dinnae talk. Go.”

As soon as he left, Doon regarded Alec, who held up his hands in surrender.

“I didnae pick the fight, Mistress,” Alec assured her. “Nor shall I again. I give you my word.”

“Your word my arse.” She made a contemptuous sound. “If the Gods were just, they’d render all liars mute. Then how should you cope, lad? Your pretty face doesnae outshine your words or acts. You’re spoiling for a brawl, and I shall be happy to give you one.”

Like Ava, the cook had never once beheld him or spoken to him out of lust. Now she wished to beat him.

“Forgive me, Mistress.” Suddenly and thoroughly ashamed, Alec hung his head.

“Inga shared her bed chamber with Polly and Elspeth, so she now sleeps alone,” Doon told him. “I asked her if she would share with Mistress Gibson, and she happily gave her permission.”

It made more sense to put Olivia with another woman, although everything inside him wanted to disagree. “My thanks.”

“That lass, she’s lovely,” the cook said with a sigh. “Be gentle with her, for I reckon life in the world beyond hasnae.”

He nodded and walked from the kitchens to the passage leading to the garrison hall. Everything Olivia had said to him still echoed in his thoughts.

I didn’t ask you to protect me. I can take care of myself.

I’m stronger than you think.

Protecting Olivia would be simpler if she stayed in his garrison quarters. He could secure the door from the outside—the laird had designed the rooms on the first level to double as weapons storage—and keep her from wandering about the stronghold. Assigning two men to stand guard would not take away from those he needed for patrol and the watch. Bringing her food and bathing water would be no trouble; that he could do himself. At night he could go to her and guard her personally as they slept together, as before...

Don’t stop.

He’d never looked with desire upon a female before Olivia, and he could not say why she drew him so deeply and pervasively. That she did not seek his touch but welcomed it only added to his confusion. She’d told him she wasn’t a maiden. Surely she wanted him, if not for his face and body then for the pleasure he’d given her. He could imagine keeping her all to himself, locking her away and only permitting her to attend him, speak to him, give him all her smiles and cries and sighs...and that made his stomach heave.

’Tis no one to keep her safe from me but me.

By the time he reached his garrison quarters Alec knew what he had to do. Inside he found Olivia sitting by the hearth and stitching on a length of red linen. When she looked up and smiled her cheeks flushed, and he nearly changed his mind.

“I’ve secured another chamber for you.” He told her about the conversation he’d had with the cook, although not everything they’d said. “Inga’s a good lady. She’ll look out for you.”

Olivia folded up her sewing and began gathering her belongings without another word, which made his temper rise.