Page 6 of Scandalous Passions

No, he was using his hands.

Her stomach rebelled at the sight of fingers trailing through sauce and handling meat, and Marjorie pressed her fingertips to her mouth.

“Not hungry, lady?”

She glanced to her right at Sir Lachlan’s words and watched in envy as he wielded his ruby-hilted dagger with precision to cut choice slices of venison for Lady Janet and place them on her plate.

“N-no,” she whispered miserably as, of course, her stomach chose that moment to gurgle like a thunderclap.

Sir Lachlan stared at her, his thick black brows drawing ominously together. “You lie.”

Marjorie bit her lip. This close, the Beast looked even darker and more fearsome, and she could only see Lady Janet if she leaned well forward or back. Yet her hunger pains had clearly addled her mind, for even more than before, she wanted to touch him. Stroke that jagged scar on his face. Smooth his hair. Even answer him honestly.

Taking a deep breath for courage, she tugged on Sir Lachlan’s sleeve so he might lean down. “The man said I had bad blood. And used his hands in the trencher. He touched everything. I don’t think he wishes to share with me. See…like he’s doing now.”

“Wait, lady.”

In one surprisingly graceful movement, he stood and stepped back over the bench. A moment later, there was a muffled choking sound, and the stranger was no longer sitting beside her but hanging in midair.

By the saints, Sir Lachlan had him by the throat!

Gasping, Marjorie looked left and right, utterly unsure of what to do. People farther along the bench were still eating and talking. Did this happen often? Should she say something? Summon help?

“Sir Lachlan!” boomed a voice from the dais. “Lord Kerr is turning as red as your doublet. What is his crime?”

“Poor manners, Your Grace,” replied the Beast, shaking the man as though he weighed no more than a feather.

King James nodded. “I see. Best remove him from my Hall, then. I’ll only have guests who know how to behave. Do set him on his feet, though.”

Sir Lachlan actually scowled but allowed the drooling, shaking man to leave, which he did at great pace. Just as swiftly, a servant removed the spoiled trencher. Now others at the table were watching her, some from across the room as well. A few were laughing and pointing, but most were censorious. Queen Margaret’s stony gaze expressed pure dislike.

Marjorie’s stomach rumbled again, and she fought the urge to weep. The sooner she could leave Stirling Castle, the better.

“Choose, lady.”

Startled, she looked up to see Sir Lachlan gesturing at a refreshed trencher being held by two smiling servants.

He had arranged food for her. After removing the man who had been so ill mannered, albeit rather violently.

“Ah, anything, r-really,” stammered Marjorie, her mind still trying to piece together what had just happened. “Whatever is easiest.”

“What do you wish?” he asked.

And there it was—the question she had waited her whole life to hear. Not from family or a friend but a man she had met mere hours before.

“Swiftly, my dear,” said Lady Janet with a mischievous grin, as she held up her wine goblet to be refilled. “Sir Lachlan will carve for you. His hands may look like bear paws, but they are astonishingly nimble. A skill welcome in more than one room of the castle, I wager.”

Was the Beast…blushing?

Although she didn’t quite understand what Lady Janet meant, it did sound rather naughty, and Marjorie fought the urge to giggle. Never would she forget her first, and probably only, feast in this Great Hall. “I should like chicken, a little venison, and a slice of beef pie. And some of that pottage with the carrot and leeks. A pear. Oh, and a few almond pastries too…”

Her voice trailed off, and her own cheeks heated at such gluttony. The prioress would have given her several lashes for this. But Lady Janet merely nodded and pointed out the dishes for Sir Lachlan to take a sample from. Soon her pewter plate was full and her wine goblet replenished.

When he sat down again, Marjorie leaned close. “Thank you, Sir Lachlan.”

He nodded, not meeting her eyes. “Lady.”

“No, I mean…thank you for everything. For helping me,” she said softly, placing her hand over his and gently squeezing.