Angelique stood outside her open door. "What is wrong?" she whispered. "I heard shouting."
"Elena came intoRebbie'sbedchamber."
"Again?"
"Aye, and what she saw shocked her to her toes."
Angelique's eyes widened. "I see."
"She's distraught and her parents are in her room. I'm certain she'll tell them."
Angelique almost smiled, then bit her lip. "Come." She pulled Calla into her private sitting room and closed the door. Thankfully, no one else was in the room.
"Where is Lachlan?"
"Asleep in the laird's chamber."
"Oh, I'm so sorry I woke you."
"Non, I was already awake. I'd just finished nursing the babe when I heard someone yell." Angelique dropped to the settle by the fire.
"'TwasElena." Too agitated to sit, Calla paced.
Raised voices reached them from the corridor. A man shouting.
"'TisBarclay!" Calla said.
Angelique jumped to her feet and raced to the door.
"Don't open it," Calla said. "Bar the door. He sounds enraged." No telling what he would do to her. He might slap her if she stood before him now.
Angelique barred the door, then stood listening.
"Where are you, whore?" he yelled as he walked past the door.
Fury, along with embarrassment, washed over Calla like hot water. She covered her burning cheeks with her hands.
"Lady Stanbury!" he yelled.
Saints!Was he going to wake the entire castle? Her face felt scalded.
"What a bastard he is!" Angelique growled in a strong French accent. "I will demand that Lachlan make him leave tomorrow."
"I feel like a coward for hiding from him."
"Non, by the sound of it, he's turned into a madman.'Tisbest you stay out of his way until he calms. I need to wake Lachlan, if all this yelling hasn't already."
One moment later, the connecting door burst open.'TwasLachlan, haphazardly dressed in his shirt and belted plaid. "Angelique? What is all the damnable yelling?"
She explained the situation to him.
"Hell. He may try to kill Rebbie." Lachlan charged for the exit that led into the corridor. "Bar the door again after I leave," he told his wife, then opened the door.
"Is the whore in there?" Barclay yelled while the door was open.
"Out!" Lachlan commanded. Shoving the man back before he could enter, he slammed the door. "This is my wife's private chamber." Lachlan's voice now sounded muffled through the wood. "Get a hold of yourself, man."
Angelique barred the door.
