"Hoyden," he said, and kissed the tip of her nose."Come now, let me feed ye."
They settled and began to enjoy the meal.Cormac fed her the choicest pieces and ensured she had her fill.Una bloomed under his attention.No one had ever cared for her so well.
She realized, quietly and with some alarm, that she was slowly falling in love with him.It could not last.Everything about her was a lie.But at least for now, she would enjoy every moment, and tuck it away into memory for the cold nights ahead when it would be just her, alone in her cottage.
***
THE FOOD WAS HEARTYand they ate their fill, talking of many things.
"So, Lady Fenella, does yer da perhaps have a man chosen for ye?"
Una almost choked on her bread.She shook her head carefully."I assume he would tell me if it were the case."
Cormac nodded.Una turned the question back on him."What of ye?Do ye have a betrothed, or a lass ye are courting?"
Cormac said no.Though he thought briefly of the Annag Ruthven situation and suppressed a grimace.He decided to be truthful about the rest."There are lassies who would like to think they can wed me, but I am not the marrying kind.At least I've never cared much for it."
"Oh," Una replied, a small disconcerted feeling settling beneath her ribs."I imagine being the Shadow would not be compatible with having a wife and bairns."
"Aye, at least 'tis what I've always thought...until recently."He gazed at her with such warmth she could not help but blush.
He meant it.It was not until he met her that the idea of a wife and a home did not seem like such a burden.She was so refreshingly real.If only she were not a nobleman's daughter, he might consider it.
Una knew this was the moment to change the subject."How long have ye been raiding?"
"A long time."
"Do ye have a place of yer own when ye are not on the road?"
Cormac was surprised.No one had ever asked him that.Usually they judged first."Aye, I have a home.We all do.I've been with these men a long time.We trust each other without question."
"I can see that.Do ye never feel guilty?"
"We never rob anyone who does nae deserve it."
"There is some honor in that."
"We would never harm women or bairns."
"Do ye never worry about being caught?"
He couldn't help but smile at her concern."I make sure the king is never inconvenienced by our actions.As for wealthy nobles, I am particular about which ones we target."
"How so?"
"Only those with no scruples."He shifted, signalling the change of subject."But we best get ready for sleep.It has been a long day."
The servants returned, cleared the table, and replaced the pitchers with heated water before leaving again.
Una and Cormac moved about the room preparing for bed.
"Take the bed, love.I'll sleep on the chair by the door," Cormac said.
Una panicked immediately.If he slept by the door there was no way she could slip out and escape without waking him."No, I insist ye take the bed.'Tis only right ye have a proper rest."
"There is no chance in hell I will allow ye to sleep on a chair, lass."
"Perhaps we can share.'Tis large enough for two."
