***
"IS SIR TORR STILL ASLEEP?" Catriona asked Finnian the next morn as they broke their fast in the great hall.
"I've nay seen him this day," the older man mumbled, avoiding her gaze.
Why was he acting odd?
She hadn't seen Torr the night before either. She suspected he hadn't come home at all. Although the porridge, eggs, and buttered bread were tasty, she had no appetite, and they were growing cold.
The entry door burst open, startling her. Torr entered, his shirt rumpled and his plaid hastily belted. Had he been out all night with a woman? Her heart sank. Mayhap he already had a betrothed or lover. How naïve that she had not considered it before.
Blast!
"A good morn." Glancing at her briefly, he bowed, then strode around the side of the great hall. "I shall take breakfast in my chamber, Maude," he said to his maid, who stood nearby.
"As you wish, sir."
He disappeared up the stairs.
What on earth was wrong with him? Why wouldn't he eat in the hall?
Finnian raised a bushy white brow, his gaze flitting to her, then away. Hmm. Perhaps Torr's disappearance last night had to do with his curse.
Deciding to ask Torr, Cat rose abruptly. "Pray pardon." She followed Maude down the stone steps to the kitchen.
Tightly laid dark gray stone made up the room's floor, walls, and vaulted ceiling. Heat emanated from the oven and cooking pit. She was thankful Aggie was occupied with laundry, for she would disapprove of what Cat was going to do.
"Maude, I will take Sir Torr's tray to him."
Frowning, the maid poured ale into a tankard sitting on a wooden tray, then set down the pitcher. "I can do it, m'lady. Surely, you wish to eat."
"I'm finished and want to help out. You must be tired of climbing all those steps."
Maude looked at her askance as if trying to puzzle out her motives. "Very well."
Cat waited while Maude peeled two boiled eggs and sliced them on a silver plate, then ladled a generous bowl of steaming porridge and topped it with cream. She placed two slices of fresh buttered bread, a small salt cellar, and a silver spoon onto the tray.
"Are you certain you wish to take it?" Maude asked.
"Of course." Cat was looking forward to talking to Torr and being near him again, but also nervous to discover why he had been out all night. Or maybe she was jumping to conclusions, and he had simply arisen early and gone out to the stables.
"I hope 'tis nay too heavy for you to manage," Maude said.
"I'll be fine." Feeling a surge of giddiness, Cat lifted the tray. 'Twas light compared to some things she had carried in the past. Balancing the tray on one arm while raising her skirt tail off her boots with the other hand, she climbed two flights of steps.
Having figured out which chamber was his yesterday, she paused in the open doorway. "Torr?"
"Aye." His back to her, he wrote furiously at the desk before the window that looked out over the Highlands toward the west. Open books, scattered papers, an inkwell, and a quill sat before him.
Abruptly, he glanced around at her.
"I have your breakfast." She entered and set the tray on a bedside table.
"I thank you." For a few blissful seconds, his gaze held her in sensual bonds. His pale green eyes reflected a timeless, mystical quality. He returned his attention to the papers but didn't write. "Is Maude well?"
"Aye." Cat frowned, wondering if he disliked her bringing him his food. "I offered to help out."
When he remained silent, she wondered what was going through his mind.
