Page 126 of Edge of Yesterday

Chapter Twenty-One

Julianna stood beside the kitchen maid, Sue, and peered down into a pot of stew simmering over the fire when a ruckus reached them from the keep’s entry hall. Julianna hurried to the far side of the kitchen, peered into the passage beyond, and across into the great hall. Cailean and Lennox had entered the hall. They were laughing and… She blinked when she realized they were weaving.

Her mother joined her from the shadows of the passageway and sniffed. “Seems your husband is making himself one of the family.”

Warmth rippled through Julianna as she watched her brother and husband make their unsteady way past the rows of long tables. It seemed that Lennox was indeed beginning to accept him. He was also debauching Cailean. She smiled. Men were debauched by nature.

Her father left his privy solar on the far side of the hall and strode to Lennox and Cailean. As if sensing the women’s stares, the men turned as one and looked in their direction. Julianna whirled and raced back to join Sue at the cook fire. She focused her attention on the bubbling stew and silently prayed the men wouldn’t come to the kitchen. Of course, they did. Their bootfalls echoed down the short passage as they neared. They entered and she looked up as if only just seeing them. Julianna didn’t miss the covert glance Sue cast Cailean. The girl was too brazen.

“Husband,” her mother said, intercepting the men just inside the kitchen’s arched entry. “How fared your business with Hugh Murray?”

“The coward wasnae there,” Lennox answered before his father could.

Her mother gave a slow nod. “He is in hiding.”

“So it seems.” Her husband’s face hardened. “He can cower all he wants. We will find him.”

Julianna pretended interest in Sue’s stew, but from the corner of her eye, she saw Cailean walking toward her. He reached her, leaned a hip against the nearby table, and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Hello Julianna.”

She looked at him and lifted a brow. “Ye have been drinking more cider, I take it?”

“A bit,” he replied. “What are we having for dinner?”

“Mutton stew.” She smiled. “Cook has a special recipe. Some say it is the best between here and Inverness.”

“Sounds delicious.” He leaned forward to peer into the heavy iron cauldron. “It smells good, too.”

She smiled. “It is.”

His eyes gleamed. “I ken other things I’ve an appetite for this night.”

Julianna flashed him firm a look. “Just how much cider did ye drink?”

He stared for a moment, then straightened and stepped closer to the hearth. He again looked down into the steaming pot and whispered, “No’ enough to interfere with my duties.”

She frowned in confusion then realized what he meant. Heat warmed her cheeks.

He lifted a brow. “I thought ye said you didn’t embarrass easily.”

She didn’t and that confused her.

Amusement twinkled in his eyes.

“Ye are teasing me.” She straightened.

He grinned. “Perhaps.”

“Cailean,” Lennox called across the kitchen.

Cailean looked over at him and swayed a bit on his feet.

Lennox weaved a tad as well, even appeared somewhat owl-eyed. “Come,” he said, “we will sit in the great hall.”

“Aye, right.” Cailean nodded, then glanced at Julianna, “Will ye manage without me?”

“Can ye cross the hall without falling flat on your face?” Julianna lifted a brow. “Shall we see?” she shoved gently at his chest. He stepped back a pace, then yanked her into his arms.