Page 42 of The Beast

The men shuffled uncomfortably, the younger one’s face turning bright red.

Duncan pointed at one and then another. “Both of ye, go out and look for any sign of him. Ask Creagh for a description.”

Looking to the other two, he continued, “Ye two guard the house until morning, then we will switch.” He looked to the first man who’d gotten to his feet. “I leave ye to manage the assignment of tasks.”

The guards hurried out.

“It was my fault to have kept them here.” Gara sniffed and wiped at her eyes with the edge of her apron.

“Do not fash yerself,” Duncan told her in a warm tone. “Just remember they are here to work and not as company.”

“Aye,” Gara said and Firtha went to her and patted her shoulders. The younger woman gave them an apologetic look. “I will bring yer meal immediately.”

“Come let us sit,” Beatrice slipped her arm around Duncan’s right one and they walked to the adjacent dining room.

Once seated, she let out a sigh. “I wish to speak to ye about something.” Her blue gaze met his. “Will ye consider staying in my bedchamber tonight?”

“Is something wrong?” Perhaps the appearance of the stranger had scared his wife. He wasn’t used to a woman’s sensibilities and could not fathom why she’d want him in her bed all night.

Admittedly, he’d woken several times hard as a rock and had considered going back to her bed. However, he’d forced himself to remain in his bedchamber, unsure she would welcome such an intrusion.

“Nothing is wrong really,” she admitted, but then sighed. “I am lonely. I miss my sister and family. I know it’s silly, but the last two nights I wake from sleep and cry. I feel so very alone.”

Thankfully Firtha hurried in with their food, giving him additional time to come up with a good reply. He was not sure about spending the night in her bedchamber. The temptation would be too great after making love to remain without clothing. It would leave too many opportunities for bad things to happen.

What if he had a nightmare and hurt her? Or if she caught a glimpse of his back and refused him in her bed again?

Beatrice watched him, which led Firtha to do the same and Duncan realized he had remained silent and frozen in place.

“Is something wrong Mister Duncan?” Firtha asked, her worried gaze moving from him to Beatrice, who also studied him with concern.

“No, nothing.” He waved the woman away. “Thank ye.”

“So, the answer is no,” Beatrice said, anger transforming her face. Lips in a tight line and brows furrowed, she looked like an adorable angry kitten. “Fine.”

He struggled with an explanation. “Ye do not understand. I am not accustomed to sharing a bed.”

“Neither am I husband,” she replied emphasizing the word “husband”.

“I may roll over and hurt ye. I am much larger and heavier than ye…” he began.

She huffed. “It is a wonder Isobel is still alive then?” It was true, Darach was much larger than her sister.

“They share a bedchamber?”

Beatrice gave him a droll look. “Since the day they married.”

The back of his neck came to life, itching and he scratched it. “I am not sure what to say. I will consider it. The time I was in captivity has affected me in ways that ye cannot understand. I do not wish to hurt ye if I wake from a dream and am blinded by it.”

“Then I would wake ye with a sharp slap. Which, I am so very tempted to do at the moment.” Beatrice pushed from the table and rushed from the room.

Orla walked in with a tea kettle. “I was to refresh her tea…” She looked to Beatrice’s untouched plate. “Is she unwell?”

“No just angry,” Duncan replied getting up and walking out past Orla. “Tell her I’ve gone to the village to find my brother.”

The fact his wife was angry with him did not feel good. When walking past the stairwell, his chest tightened. For a moment he considered going to her, but decided he would only make her angrier when he did not change his mind about her request.

Once outside in the fresh morning air, it felt so good that instead of going to the stable to fetch his horse, he went to the wall. Stacking a few stones would help him think clearer. If nothing else, the activity would ease the tension in his shoulders.