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Evanna smiled. “If ye need help, I can do it for ye,” she suggested. “I often shave my father. Or I can let Lexie help ye.”
The thought of letting Evanna shave his beard for him was tempting but not too tempting to resist. He would likely not be able to keep his hands off her.
Evanna nodded, relieved. “I will bring some bathwater for ye,” she told him, as she stood up and turned to leave.
“Wait,” Fraser said, as she began to open the door.
Evanna raised her eyebrows inquiringly.
“Did ye undress me when I came in?” he asked, his tone almost eager.
“No, I did not,” Evanna snapped. “My father would never let me dae that, an’ neither would Lexie. It was her that did it. Lexie looks after the tavern, me, an’ sometimes our guests,” Evanna replied. “Ye might get a fright when ye see her, though. She is taller an’ stronger than most men, but she is a healer an’ has a gentle touch.”
Fraser screwed his face up, trying to remember something. “I dreamt about a big, strong, ugly woman. Is that her?”
Evanna bristled, furious. “She is big an’ strong, but she is no’ ugly!” She growled. “An’ she is the finest woman in the world!”
“I am sure she is, but she is no’ as pretty as ye are,” he replied, grinning as he gazed at her. She was so angry that he could not help teasing her. “But then I don’t think many women are. Lexie can cut my beard if she doesn’t mind,” he replied.
“If ye can only judge a woman by her looks, then ye are a very sad man!” she hissed. “Lexie is a better person than ye will ever be! Now, I am goin’ tae fetch yer water, but don’t expect tae see me again! Ye are a worm, an’ that is an insult tae worms!”
“What is yer name?” he called, just as the door was about to slam behind Evanna. “I am Fraser.”
“I know who ye are! And I told ye my name already,” she snarled. “If ye cannot remember, that is yer fault! But since yer memory is so bad, let me tell ye once again that I am the reason ye are alive!”
The door slammed behind her so hard that it shuddered on its hinges, and the whole wall and floor vibrated. Then he heard the key turning in the lock and realized that he was trapped.
* * *
“Keep me away from that eejit!” Evanna growled to Lexie. “Because if I ever see that swine again, I might kill him!”
Lexie, Donna, and Flora exchanged glances as Evanna stamped around the kitchen, then poured herself some ale and sat down at the table to drink it. She drained half the cup, then, too agitated to sit still, she began to prowl around the small room again, her face thunderous.
“What did he do that has riled ye so much?” Flora asked, frowning.
“He was very rude!” Evanna was outraged, her eyes blazing with anger.
Donna and Flora giggled.
Evanna slammed her fist on the table, startling them both into silence, but Lexie came up behind her, gripped her by her upper arms, and turned her around.
“Enough, lass,” she said gently. “We will not hold it against him for being rude. We are better people, and we care for him, even if he is a bad person.”
“He is in a place where he is not well-liked and might be in danger, so ye must make allowances for him.” Lexie frowned at Evanna and gave a tiny shake of her head to warn her not to give up their secret.
Evanna could have kicked herself. She had come so close to betraying Fraser! She looked up into Lexie’s grey eyes and felt her anger melting away. “I wish I could be as calm as ye, Lexie.” She sighed, then lowered her voice to a murmur. “I need to get a bath ready for him. He doesnae smell so good an’ needs a shave.”
“I will carry the buckets,” Lexie murmured. Aloud, she said, “Could ye have one o’ the men heat up some water, please, Donna? An’ speakin’ o’ men, there are some thirsty ones out there.” She pointed to the bar. “Get goin’!”
The two young women pouted sullenly but obeyed.
“The quicker that man leaves, the better,” Evanna mused. “He is causing far too much trouble!”
“He is not the only one!” Lexie grumbled. “But at least that Englishman is staying another night, and he has to be served every one of his meals in his room. We are able tae say it is him that is causing all the trouble. But he is causing even more work. I know we need his money, but I wonder if he is more trouble than he is worth. Ye can never trust them!”
Evanna sighed, exasperated. “And my father is becoming worse by the day. Men! Why can women not rule the world?”
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