Page 11 of Highlander’s Beautiful Liar

Freezing under their curious gazes, she thought about fleeing. How far could she get before they caught her? Could she get to a horse? Did she really think that she could outride a highlander? That she could navigate the treacherous terrain?

Her eyes landed on Alec. He smiled gently at her, and she found the strength to start breathing again. Despite his threats the other night, she discovered that he was her anchor when her fear threatened to drown her. Focusing on one foot in front of the other, she finished serving the food. Hurrying back to the kitchens, she pressed her back against the wall and tried to slow her rapid heartbeat.

“What is wrong with ye?” Mary hissed when she came back. “Ye look positively mad out there!”

“It’s nothing,” Cora said as she swallowed hard. “Just getting used to everything. What did you say I was to do next?”

Mary muttered an oath under her breath and shoved a pitcher of ale in her hand. “Ye cannae make us look bad in front of the new laird.”

Struggling to get her fear under control, Cora bravely made her way back to the main hall. She tried not to let the open lustful stares bother her, and she did her best not to talk. She knew what kind of trouble she’d be inviting if she let them know she was English.

Silently refilling cups, she did her best to keep her distance. A few men tried to grab her, but she danced out of reach and kept moving. Once she got to the end of the table, she hurried back to find solace in the kitchen.

Just as she reached the last man, she turned to the kitchens but a scuffle caught her attention. Turning her head, she saw that two men had imprisoned a struggling Mary between them as they tried to kiss her.

“Stop!” she cried out.

Rage swept through her, and before she knew what she was doing, she climbed up on the table and raced to the servant’s side. Smacking the first guy upside the head with the pitcher, she dropped it and reached down to grab a knife from the table. “Unhand her immediately or discover how well you can train tomorrow after I’ve shoved a blade in your arm,” she threatened.

Immediately, the hall fell silent. The first man rubbed his head and glared at her. “Who the hell are ye?” he growled. “Mind yer own business, woman!”

He grabbed Mary again, and she whimpered. Cora didn’t hesitate. Gripping the hilt of the blade, she drove it into the man’s shoulder. He yelled in anger and swung around with his fist, hitting her hard in the stomach. Grunting in pain, she doubled over and tried to protect herself against the next blow.

It never came.

“Touch her again, and it will be the last thing ye ever do,” Alec said coldly. He and three men stormed the table. “And ye’ll unhand the servant as well.”

“We were just having a spot of fun,” the other man complained. “We weren’t going to hurt her. We just wanted a kiss.”

Alec ignored him. “What’s yer name?” he asked Mary quietly.

“Mary,” she answered in a trembling voice.

“It would seem that Mary did not want to gift ye with a kiss. Let me make one thing verra clear. I doonae know how yer previous laird ran things, but I’ll not have the women mistreated. Ye may have yer fun, but only if the women are willing. That goes for everyone. Do ye understand me?”

There was nothing but silence in answer, and Alec scowled. “Do ye understand me?” he shouted louder. His voice echoed off the walls, and there was a soft grumbling of agreement. “Good. Mary, I doonae think we have need of ye until after dinner. Go enjoy yer own food.”

The servant scampered off, and Alec reached up to Cora. With trepidation, she took his hand and allowed him to help her off the table. She could feel rage emanating off the two men around her, but they didn’t touch her.

“Are ye okay?” Alec whispered in her ear. She was too afraid to answer without her voice shaking, so she just nodded.

“Jamie, will ye escort Claire to her room,” he instructed. Letting her go, he nodded to his friend. Jamie went to grab her, and she couldn’t help but flinch. He stopped suddenly but rather than questioning it, he just stepped aside and let her walk in front of her.

As she made her way to her room, she couldn’t help but worry about what tomorrow would bring. She’d just publicly humiliated two MacKay men. No doubt they and all of their friends would be seeking vengeance on her.

So much for keeping her head down.

“I know what yer thinking,” Jamie said. “And ye don’t have to worry about those two men. We’ll protect ye.”

“Why?” she asked suddenly as she whirled around. “I’m just a servant. I’ve been accused of stealing, and I’m English. Just why would you protect me?”

He flashed her a charming smile. “Alec is a good man. He protected ye back there, and we’ll protect ye now.”

“He thinks I’m lying to him.”

“Aye, he does. And if ye do him wrong, then ye have something to worry about. Are ye planning on doing him wrong, Miss Claire?”

She opened her mouth to deny it. Of course she didn’t want to hurt Alec. In the short time that she’d known him, he’d done nothing but be kind to her, but his very position as a laird meant that her lying to him was a great disservice. If he discovered the truth of her origins, he would no doubt be hurt by her.