"You invited me. Do you nay remember?"
Had she? She glanced away, trying hard to recall. Surely, she would remember something like that unless...
"Did you give me whisky last night?" she asked.
"I offered you some, and you accepted."
"Och." How daft of her. She had no tolerance for the drink, especially when tired.
"I take it you recall naught of last night," he said, rubbing his chin and the blueish-green bruise he'd received in a fight with the ruffians.
She shook her head, embarrassment settling over her. Had she found the bedsport pleasing?
"'Tis too bad, for you seemed to enjoy yourself greatly," Alpin bragged. "You even kissed the bruise on my stomach to make it all better."
Mortified, she scowled at him.
He chuckled. "Shall we have another go while you're sober?"
"Nay." She scrambled toward the edge of the bed and grabbed her clothes.
He continued to laugh at her expense.
She was old enough to be Alpin's mother... but he didn't need to know that. He was a rather strapping and braw young man in his mid to late 20s. She needed to redo her youth-ing charm to ensure she appeared twenty years younger.
"If you will excuse me, Alpin. I must dress and use my keek-stane to see what Torr and his whore are doing." She snickered at her rhyme.
After Alpin dressed and exited the chamber, she relaxed and cleared her mind, then peered into the shiny dark surface.
She observed Torr and the lass sitting in an inn's common room as they ate. Then, they climbed the stairs and entered separate rooms. She continued to watch Torr as he paced in his chamber. He appeared agitated. Did he want to seduce the wee strumpet?
***
NOT ACCUSTOMED TO SLEEPINGin the daytime, Catriona glared at the sunlight beaming through the threadbare curtain.
Grinding her teeth, she turned onto her side and punched the old, dusty feather pillow.
'Twas Torr, blast him. He took possession of her mind and her soul. Add to that the memories of the sensual actions of Elsea and the guard. What would it be like to indulge in such behaviors with Torr?
Catriona sighed. 'Twould be so amazing; she couldn't even imagine the blissful delights.
She flopped onto her back, then turned to her other side. She remembered how Torr had lifted her and held her against the wall in his chamber at Blacktower. 'Twas beyond maddening, and she had loved it.
Restless, she sat up. How long had she been in bed? Minutes? Half an hour?
Either way, 'twas useless to try to sleep now. She swung her legs over the edge of the mattress.
What was Torr doing? Was he asleep? No doubt he was used to sleeping at this hour. Or mayhap he was still awake as well.
Once the idea took hold, she couldn't banish it. She had to see if he was as sleepless as she was.
She leapt out of bed and grabbed her clothing. She was learning to dress quickly and easily without her maid's help. Wanting to hurry, she left off her corset.
After cracking open the door, she peered along the narrow corridor toward Torr's chamber. Not seeing or hearing anyone moving about, she ventured out and tiptoed closer. A wooden board squeaked under her stockinged foot, and she froze. Why was she slipping? Did she plan to enter his room without knocking? Could she? Nay, he probably had the door barred. She would see.
Reaching the portal to his chamber, she quietly lifted the latch and opened it. Shocked that he wouldn't secure the door, she entered and closed it. Mayhap he'd hoped she would pay him a visit.
"Why would you nay bar..." she began, but all words vanished as her gaze landed on Torr.
