Page 132 of Moon Craving

presence with Guaire indicated.

Guaire smiled and nodded at Abigail. "Good morning."

"It would not have been a good morning if our lady had slipped on the stairs," Niall

replied, his displeasure now firmly fixed on the seneschal. "The laird gave instructions for

his lady to be accompanied at all times."

"I am aware of that," Guaire answered, looking just a bit harried. He stepped away

from Niall's approaching form in what was probably supposed to look like a subtle

maneuver.

But the stiffening of Niall's posture said he'd noticed all right. And taken offense.

"So, why was she coming down to the great hall alone?"

"Because I am no child and did not feel like waiting to descend the stairs until

someone came along to hold my hand," Abigail said with asperity. Honestly, how could

they all not see what a ludicrous directive it was that she needed a babysitter to descend

the stairs?

"Una and I were on our way to see if our lady had woken when we arrived to find

her coming down with you," Guaire said. The look he gave Niall was filled with resigned

longing.

From the way the big warrior crossed his arms and frowned, Abigail surmised he

was entirely blind to the other man's feelings. Which was probably for the best. If Niall did

not return Guaire's regard, he would most likely only hurt the seneschal's feelings were he

to discover them.

Those with afflictions such as blindness and deafness were not the only ones the

Church taught their followers to revile as tainted.

Still, she wished there was something she could do to help.

"Was the water in the pitcher still warm when you woke?" Una asked, interrupting

Abigail's thoughts.

"Yes, it was fine. Very welcome, in fact."

"I am glad."

"It was your idea," Abigail said as the thought came to her and then wished she'd

kept her mouth shut.