cariously above the floor. The panicked cries of Mari and Mrs. Mac drowned out everyone but Rory. Rory’s heart slammed in his chest at the sight of Aileanna clinging to his clan’s colors. “Bloody hel , lass,” he yel ed, positioning himself beneath her. “What are you doin’?”
“What does it look like?” She glared down at him, her eyes flashing.
“Let go and I’l catch you.” He held up his arms, widen
ing his stance.
“No.” She jerked her head in the direction of the stool.
“Just put it back up.”
He sighed. “Aileanna, ’tis broken. Now do as I say and let 144
go.” Rory didn’t have to cajole her further. The fabric gave way with a loud rip, and whether she liked it or not, Aileanna landed with a whoosh in his arms. If he could go by the look in her stormy blue eyes, she didn’t like it one bit.
“Rory, yer back,” a voice of pure femininity cal ed out breathlessly. When Rory turned with Aileanna in his arms, Moira’s sweet smile of welcome faltered. A degree of ici
ness frosted her manner. “What goes on here?”
He had barely set Aileanna on her feet when she strode toward Moira. “What’s going on here is everyone’s practi cal y kil ing themselves catering to your every whim. Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Do you?” Aileanna cried, her voice shril , an accusatory finger wagging in Moira’s pale face. Rory grabbed her arm. “That wil be enough, Aileanna.”
She whirled on him, jabbing her finger in his chest.
“Wil it? Is it enough that she practical y kil ed Cook de
manding a meal fit for a king, and in this heat?” Her chest heaved, and white-hot anger radiated off her. Moira sobbed into her hands and her delicate shoul
ders trembled. “Oh, Rory, I didna’ ken. I only meant to make ye proud.”
He looked from one woman to the other. Aileanna’s rage was barely contained. “You wil apologize to Lady Moira, Aileanna.” It was not right her going off on Moira like she did. The MacLeans were guests in his home, and Moira had obviously meant no harm.
had obviously meant no harm.
Aileanna narrowed her gaze on him. She picked up the broom from the floor and slammed it into his chest. “If you want an apology, do it yourself. And while you’re at it, you might want to do the rest of her bidding. That way you may have some servants left by morning.”
“Aileanna, you wil come back here and apologize,” he roared to her retreating back.
“Stuff it,” she yel ed at him as she marched up the stairs. Chapter 12
“Stuff it. She told me to stuff it. Do you ken the meanin’
of that?” Rory asked Fergus, who stood across from where he sat at his desk in the relative quiet of his study. His old friend shrugged, a glint of amusement in his eyes.
“I take it to mean she’s a wee bit fashed with you.”
“With me? The woman is daft, goin’ off on poor Moira like she did.”
Fergus crossed his arms over his chest and raised a bushy brow. Rory threw up his hands in disgust. “You canna’
mean to defend her. She goes too far. Even you who are bewitched by the lass have to admit ’tis so.”
“Aileanna’s a healer, lad, and was angry at the state of yer help. Did you no’ take note of the look of her? I’d say she fared no better than the rest.”
Rory leaned his elbows on his desk and rubbed his temples—he had. She’d been wet and filthy, a bedraggled mess, signs of weariness visible on her pale, drawn face. He had been concerned about her, more than he cared to admit, but before he could question her, Moira had entered the hal and Aileanna sprang into action like a crazed woman.
“What the hel went on here?”
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“Doona’ ask me, lad. Have you forgotten . . . I was with you?”
Rory glared, in no mood for humor. “Cal um!” he roared. Despite the closed door, he had no doubt the man was close enough to hear him.
Cal um entered and shut the door on the curious faces gathered outside. “You cal ed, my laird.” He fought back a grin.
“’Tis no time for jokes, Cal um. Now, tel me what went on to put Aileanna in such a state.”
The big man held Rory’s gaze. “She tried to see to some of the clan and they shunned her. Wouldna’ let her near them on account of Lady MacLean’s accusations in the hal this morn. I ken she was hurt by it, though she didna’
say much.”
