Eveline nodded and then held up her arms and outstretched them so she nearly smacked Rorie’s nose.
“ ’Tis no larger than your own family’s holding,” he said.
She shook her head in disagreement and then pursed her lips together. After glancing around the room, she then pointed, making a wide sweeping motion and then punched her finger into the table. Then once more she spaced her hands apart to indicate size.
Graeme nodded. “Aye, our hall is larger than yours, but then we house more people, I believe.”
Eveline nodded her agreement.
He was about to pose another question when Eveline went tense. Her entire body language was wary and she paused, setting her spoon back into her stew.
’Twas nothing but the serving woman, Kierstan. She carried a tankard of ale and went to Teague first to refill his goblet. Next she came to Graeme, but she went on his other side so that she was between him and Eveline.
“Would you like more, Eveline?” Graeme asked, fully intending to have Kierstan serve her before himself.
But then Kierstan turned and stumbled, emptying the tankard in Eveline’s lap. The ale splattered over her chest and arms, soaking her dress. It dripped off her chin and ruined the bowl of stew Eveline had been eating.
Graeme was so stunned that at first he simply stared, aghast at the woman’s error. Eveline’s eyes flashed with hurt, but then she seemed to steel herself and quietly rose.
“I’m so sorry,” Kierstan babbled out. “ ’Twas an accident, Laird.”
“ ’Tis your lady you should be apologizing to,” Graeme bit out.
But Kierstan didn’t turn to Eveline. She hastily began pushing the liquid that pooled on the table away from Graeme, but sent it in Eveline’s direction.
Eveline was still standing, humiliation tight on her face, her eyes dull.
“Go fetch something to help clean her up,” Graeme snapped at Kierstan. “ ’Tis not me you should be tending.”
Then he rose to reach for Eveline’s hand. But she brushed by him, ale still dripping from her clothing. She never even looked his way as she walked quietly from the hall.
Rorie was on her feet, spitting like an angry kitten. “Bitch!”
“Rorie!” Bowen said, shock evident in his voice. “ ’Tis no way for you to speak, even to a serving woman.”
“She did it apurpose,” Rorie snapped. “She’s tormented Eveline all day and she well knows it. She’s wasted no opportunity to call Eveline a bitch. I’m merely returning the favor.”
“Is this true?” Graeme demanded, turning to Kierstan.
“Nay! ’Twas an accident. I swear it.”
“And the other accusations? Did you call your lady a bitch? Did you malign her in any way?”
Kierstan’s expression turned sullen and defiance sparked in her eyes. “ ’Tis not my lady I maligned. She isn’t my lady.”
“Leave my presence,” Graeme thundered. “And keep from my sight. You’ll not serve in the great hall again.”
Kierstan paled. She started to speak again, but Graeme silenced her with a single look.
“Begone,” he ordered.
She turned and fled.
Rorie was still furious, her face red and her fists clenched tight at her sides. “Her punishment is too light, Graeme.”
“ ’Tis over, Rorie. You’ll not pursue it further. The clan must be given time to adjust to Eveline’s presence.”
“And so you’ll allow such disrespect until such time as they’ve adjusted?” she asked incredulously.
His eyes narrowed. “Do you question me? Kierstan won’t go unpunished. But neither will I tear down the walls of the keep and raise the ire of the clan when emotions are running high already. You take my desire to mediate as a sign that I’m allowing Eveline to be abused. You should know me better than that.”
He turned and strode from the table. Rorie called after him, “Where do you go?”
Only at the doorway did he pause and turn back. “I’m going to see to my wife.”
Rorie looked strangely pleased as she retook her seat.
CHAPTER 17
Graeme realized he was completely uncertain of himself halfway up the stairs. He even paused some distance from his chamber, because he wasn’t sure what to do with Eveline when he found her.
If Rorie was right and Kierstan had spilled ale on Eveline apurpose, then Kierstan would have to be banned from the keep and sent into the grain fields to work.
He was caught in a difficult position because he didn’t want it to appear to his clan that he sided with an Armstrong against them, but neither did he want to abandon his wife—no matter who she was—to the ill treatment of others.
When he finally reached the chamber door, he pushed it open and went inside, only to be greeted by the sight of Eveline standing in the nude, her back to him.
For a moment he was transfixed. Her hair was unbraided and lay in waves down her bare back, just reaching the top of her rounded bottom. There it hung enticingly, brushing the tops of her cheeks.
She was a well-formed lass. Luscious, curvy bottom, slim waist, hips that flared appealingly.
Then he felt immediate guilt for standing here lusting over her—a woman who likely had no idea of such matters or understanding of them.
He turned away, determined to give her privacy to complete her dress. No matter how tempted he was not only to look, but to wait for her to turn so he could gain a full view.
He heard water from the washbasin being sloshed about and nearly groaned at the idea that she was completing her wash right there a few feet away. All he had to do was turn. It was a sight he’d receive much pleasure from. Watching his wife as she bathed. He could well imagine the path of the washing cloth as it glided over her body.