Page 24 of A Touch So Wicked

“Perhaps I should carry you back to bed,” Damian offered, holding out his arms to the child.

“Nay, I will carry my sister to bed,” Elissa declared. She had no idea why Lora was so enamored of the Demon Knight, for she found him arrogant and offensive. He would have taken her virginity with little remorse had Lora not appeared at a propitious time.

“I should like Lissa to carry me back to my chamber,” Lora said, sending Damian an apologetic look. “I miss her. Why don’t you play with me like you used to, Lissa?”

Elissa shot Damian an aggrieved look. “You must ask Lord Damian that question, sweeting.”

Lora stared up at Damian with all the innocence of a five-year-old. “Why donna you want Lissa to visit me?”

Damian looked decidedly uncomfortable. “There are things you don’t understand, little one.”

Lora’s next question threw Elissa off balance. Judging from Damian’s expression, he was as stunned as she was. “What are you doing in Lissa’s bedchamber, Damian? Mama said a man and woman shouldna be alone unless they are wed. Are you and Lissa married?”

Elissa blanched. “Nay, Lora! You know I am promised to Tavis Gordon.”

“Your sister is mistaken, Lora,” Damian said with authority. “Elissa and the Gordon chieftain will never marry.” He turned his intimidating gaze on Elissa. “Take your sister to bed, lady. We will finish this discussion later.”

Elissa scurried off before Damian could change his mind. Even this small concession was welcome. She spent two enjoyable hours playing with Lora in her chamber. Then she tucked her sister in bed to rest and hastened to her mother’s chamber. Marianne was still pale but appeared somewhat stronger. At lunchtime, Nan arrived with a tray laden with enough food for the three of them to share.

“Maggie carried a tray to Lora,” Nan said. “The lassie ate her fill and fell asleep.” She grinned at Elissa. “Ye tired her out, lass, but yer visit did her a world of good. She’ll soon be well and scampering about as if she was never ill.”

“Elissa, love, have you been let out of the tower for good?” Marianne asked hopefully. “Lord Damian is a good man, I knew he’d realize how senseless it was to confine you.”

“Lord Damian a good man?” Elissa choked. She could tell her mother a thing or two about the Demon Knight but didn’t want to upset her.

“Aye,” Nan agreed. “’Tis only Elissa who gets his dander up.” She chuckled. “Ye both are stubborn as mules.”

Elissa bristled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Figure it out for yerself, lass. Eat yer food. I had the devil’s own time smuggling it out of the kitchen without having it snatched away by a hungry Englishman.”

Elissa bit into a bannock and chewed thoughtfully. “What’s going on, Nan? Lord Damian accused me of instigating a rebellion. Where is everyone?”

“Ah, well, they willna cook for nor serve the English lord while yer imprisoned in the tower.”

Elissa smiled despite herself. Though the situation was grave, she’d never been prouder of her kinsmen. “Are there no cooks among the Englishmen?”

“Nay, they’ve no skill in the kitchen. No one can prepare mutton like Winifred, or bake bread like Vera.” She cackled gleefully. “Mark my words, the Demon Knight will relent when his stomach hits his backbone.”

“I pray Nan is right,” Marianne said.

Marianne began to doze. Nan gathered up the dishes and carried the tray away, leaving Elissa alone with her sleeping mother. Reluctant to leave and return to the tower, she sat with her mother while she slept. Not too long ago Elissa feared she was going to lose her only parent, but now Marianne appeared to be rallying. Had Damian wrought this miracle?

Lost in thought, Elissa didn’t hear the door open. A whisper of sound brought her head whipping around. She glanced at the bed, then rose abruptly, meeting Damian before he could disturb her sleeping mother. Compressing his lips, Damian motioned to her with an impatient gesture and waited for Elissa to follow him.

“What do you want?” Elissa hissed.

“This has gone far enough. My men are hungry. Order your kinsmen back to the keep.”

Elissa couldn’t keep the gleeful note from her voice. “Are you bargaining with me, my lord?”

“Nay, I do not bargain with women. I’m telling you how it will be and I expect you to obey.”

He grasped her arm and pulled her into the passageway. “Will you release me from the tower?” Elissa challenged.

“That depends. I need your kinsmen and only you can bring them back. Swear fealty to me and I’ll allow you to occupy your former chamber and move freely about the castle.” His eyes narrowed dangerously. “Do not take this as an invitation to escape. You are but one small woman. There are ways you may not enjoy to keep you inside the fortress and away from Gordon.”

Elissa bit back a scathing retort. Had he discovered the secret tunnel? Surely not, or he would have said something.