She pulled out the mortar and pestle and began frantically grinding herbs, reciting receipts for physiks in her mind, anything, anything to shove back the horrible thoughts, the terrible memories.
William returned to his own chambers but found he wasn’t tired. He should be, considering the grueling pace they’d set after being attacked by the broken men. That and the weary sense of guilt that had descended on him at dinner as he’d listened to Comyn and Grainne extol his late wife’s many virtues, wishing he remembered them and sickened that he didn’t. All he remembered was a small, frightened girl, begging him to save their baby.
But his interlude with Rose had washed all that away, leaving him restless and unsatisfied. He paced for a while, drinking some of the fine whisky Comyn had left for him. After his second dram he set the cup down decisively and left his chambers. He strode down the hall and up the curved stairs, pounding on the door at the top.
There was some muffled cursing, and after William’s repeated pounding, the door finally swung open. Drake stood there, disheveled and naked except for the plaid wrapped around his waist.
“What the—Will, wait—”
William pushed his way into the room only to find his brother wasn’t alone. A pretty blond servant was in his bed. She made a small sound of surprise and pulled the sheets over her head.
Drake raised his brows meaningfully. “Can’t this wait?”
“No, it cannot. You, in the bed—get out.”
Drake scowled at his brother, then hurried over to the upheaval of bedding, picking women’s garments off the floor on his way, then apologizing profusely to his bed partner as he helped her dress. William paced the roomimpatiently, pouring himself wine and standing near the fireplace with his back to them.
When Drake finally ushered the woman out with promises to come for her as soon as he was done, William turned. Drake had thrown on a shirt and turned from the door, black brows drawn together in profound irritation.
“What was so damn important it couldn’t wait until morning, aye?”
“Mistress MacDonell wishes to extend her apologies to you for her false assumptions the other night.”
Drake paused in the act of pouring himself wine and blinked at him, his mouth slightly agape. “You jest.”
“No. I am very serious.”
“You came here for that? That damn shrew! Tell her to take her apology and—”
“And what?” William asked darkly, eyes narrowing.
Drake’s mouth snapped shut. He stared at William with incredulous betrayal. “You cannot expect me to accept her apologies after she believed such revolting things of me. I would never harm Deidra. It makes me sick to think on it—”
“I know, I know.” William waved this away. “However, you are being very small-minded, Drake, and it wounds Rose.”
Drake shook his head in disbelief. “Wounds Rose? What about me?” He pounded his chest with his open palm. “She woundsme!She dishonorsme!But what care you of that? You are so smitten you care for nothing else.”
“Smitten?” William rolled his eyes. “Don’t be absurd.”
“Ah—you lie!” Drake grinned widely. “You adore her.I can tell. That Dumhnull farce was my first clue, but you make us all travel to Glen Laire—for a skirt!”
“It’s not for a skirt and you know it. She saved my life. Magic or no, I’d have choked to death from whatever Ailis had. She was the only one who knew what to do.”
Drake sighed and drained his cup. “I am grateful to her for that, of course, but damn it, Will!”
“And we still haven’t addressed your deception. Colluding with my daughter, teaching her to deceive me and keep secrets.” William shook his head grimly as Drake averted his gaze. “You will do this for me. You will accept her apology, and you will treat her with courtesy and respect.”
Drake’s jaw hardened mutinously, but he said, “Fine.”
William put a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “You know I never believed it of you. If such a thing had been true, it would have killed me.”
“You meanyouwould have killedme.”
“Aye,” William agreed dryly. “But it would have killed me to be forced to murder you.”
Drake tried not to smile at the ridiculous turn of the conversation, but he couldn’t stop himself, which made William feel better about the whole thing. William squeezed his brother’s shoulder and gave him a small, affectionate shake before turning for the door.
“Why not marry her, aye?” Drake asked, examining the bottom of his empty cup.
