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He entered his keep through the rear postern door, heading straight for the kitchens. He was careful not to step on any of the several servants who slept on the floors of the castle as he made his way to the cool cellar where he knew Elspeth stored cooked meats. Since being just a wee lad this had always been his favourite place to seek sustenance in the dead of night, and in all likelihood his faithful cook would have left something for him, just in case.
Elspeth did not let him down. A platter of succulent salted pork awaited him. He ate with one hip hitched on the edge of the huge oak table which dominated Elspeth’s domain. A wee wench sleeping beside the cooling oven stirred. Frightened eyes peered up at him in alarm.
“Laird, is anything amiss?”
“Nay, lass,” he whispered. “Go back to sleep.”
“Is it time to light the fires? I was late last time, an’—”
“No, you are not late. Sleep now.”
“Is that the pork ye’re eatin’, Laird? There’s mutton either, but I like the pork best. I could get ye some ale too if ye like.”
She shuffled into a sitting position, rubbing her eyes. Out of habit Blair tried to recall the child’s name. Agnes, he thought, or was it Annie?
“I can shift for myself if I need aught. I didna mean to disturb you, lass.”
The girl’s response was a long, low growl from somewhere deep within her stomach. She clutched at her belly. “Ooh, I’m sorry, Laird. I was just… I mean…”
“Would you like some of this pork?” he offered.
She shook her head sadly. “I shouldna. The missus left it for ye an’ I already had my supper, sir.”
“There is no rule here that says a wee lassie wi’ early fires to light an’ a hungry belly canna have two suppers. Come to me, child.”
She wriggled from her pallet and trotted to stand before him. Her dress was of rough linen, but serviceable enough, and the child was clean. Elspeth was most particular about such matters. Blair leaned down to offer her the platter. She gazed up at him, wide-eyed, then selected the biggest piece on the plate.
“Good choice. Annie, is it?”
“Aye, sir. Annie Drummond.”
“Well, Annie Drummond, I’m right glad of your company this night. Would you like a morsel more?”
This time the child took two pieces, one in each hand. The pair of them chewed in companionable silence, and between them cleared much of the plate. After a few minutes Annie rubbed her eyes and yawned widely.
“Take some more pork an’ go back to your bed, lassie. I’ll be away to mine too.”
“Thank you, sir.” She took another couple of slices and he spotted her tucking one beneath her pallet before she settled down again.
“Goodnight, Annie,” he whispered as he left to make his way up to his own chambers.
Annie did not reply. She was already fast asleep.
Blair entered his solar as quietly as he could in his heavy hide boots and whilst still bearing his claymore. He divested himself of both and cast an eye in the direction of the small guest chamber as he made for his own room. Roselyn would be in there, sleeping.
Would she be naked again? Well, a man could hope…
He lifted a torch from the wall to light his way as he entered his own chamber and stopped still. There, in the very centre of his huge bed, Roselyn lay curled up under his blankets. One slender shoulder poked out above the covers and that much of her at least was naked. His cock leapt to attention at the same time as he tried to make sense of this turn of events though her presence here could only really signify one thing.
He placed the torch in a sconce in the wall then undressed quickly and slid in beside her. Roselyn mumbled something in her sleep and turned to face him. Blair kissed her forehead and gathered her in close. She snuggled up to him, and as her soft breasts pressed against his chest he was delighted to note that she was indeed gloriously naked.
In the flickering torchlight he saw her eyelids flutter, a brief flash of brilliant lavender, then they closed again.
“You are home. I am glad.” Her words were soft, heavy with sleep.
“Me too,” he replied.
Roselyn was fast asleep again in moments. For the second time in almost as many minutes a female had nodded off in his presence.
