Page 37 of Rory

“She’s kind.” She rinsed a goblet and placed it in the drying rack. “You ken I’m no’. I’ve only learned to hold my tongue and do as I’m bid. I do appreciate the chance to work inside the stronghold again.”

The cook grunted. “You’re happier as a chamber maid than you were working for me, that you cannae deny. I see the smile on your face when you and the lass share your morning meal away from the others.”

“’Tisnae hard work.” Una finished the last dish and rinsed off her hands before regarding her. “I dinnae sweat, nor burn myself on hot spits. My meals, they’re hot instead of cold, and Elspeth, she’s fair.” She hesitated before she added, “Just as fair as you, Mistress.”

Doon nodded with obvious satisfaction. “I’ll no’ force you come back to sweat for me. Only ken that lass, she’s earned more than your silence and willingness to work. Do something to show your gratitude for what she’s given you, aye?”

The cook’s words stayed with Una, but she couldn’t think of what service she could provide Elspeth that she would accept. Being kept apart from the two men she loved had plunged the head chambermaid into endless melancholy. The endless, unwavering pursuit of her by the McKeran guard didn’t help lift her mood, either.

Una stopped in her tracks as she saw Kelso hovering outside Elspeth’s bed chamber. He stood leaning against the wall with his arms folded and his eyes closed, so he hadn’t been sent to guard the lass. No, he was waiting for her to retire, and doubtless would brace her again over his needs and her choices.

Distracting Kelso, ’tis how I may serve my friend. ’Twillnae prove unpleasant, as long as I’m careful.

“You shouldnae dawdle where you’re no’ wanted, lad,” she told him as she walked up to the big guard. “Didnae the lass say your understanding, ’twas over?”

“Our understanding.” He chuckled. “How polite you’ve learned to babble since the MacBren ended me. I recall you had a tongue as sharp as a honed dagger, and swifter than a crossbow bolt.”

Any moment Elspeth would be coming up the stairs, tired and heartsick, and Una couldn’t let her see the two of them arguing like this. Although she had been trying very hard not to lie, it was in service of a friend instead of herself this time.

“Mayhap I yet do.” She nodded at the other end of the passage. “If you wish speak to the lass, she’s sharing my chamber of late.”

The smirk on Kelso’s face faded away. “Never say she’s taken to bedding wenches.”

“You ken better, you eejit.” She sniffed and stalked past him, holding her breath until she heard his boots thumping behind her. Aye, follow me, you nosy fack.

From there she led him to the small bed chamber where she had been sleeping alone, and sent up a silent prayer to the Gods that she’d remembered to bank the fire in the hearth.

“She’s asleep now,” Una whispered to the big guard, shooing him away. “On the morrow you may speak with–”

Kelso grabbed the door, pushed her inside and shut it. He stalked over to the bed, yanking back the coverlet. “Elspeth’s no’ here, you lying wench.”

“You see well in the dark.” Una added some wood to the fire, and then touched a candle to the flame that flared from the banked coals. “A pity you cannae do the same in the light.”

The guard snatched the candle holder from her hand and thumped it down on the little table where she kept her basket of mending. “You meddle in a man’s affairs, you risk his wrath.”

She forced a laugh. “I’ve faced worse than you, lad, and survived.”

“Did you tell Elspeth you wanted me for yourself?” Kelso reached into her mending basket, pulling out the chemise she’d been mending at nights. He rubbed the thin fabric between his thick fingers. “That’s why you lured me to your bed chamber, I see such now.”

“You conceited arse,” she told him, snatching the garment away and shoving it back in the basket. “I could bed any McKeran lad I desire. Indeed, I may offer myself to a different clansmen each night and none would refuse me.”

“They’d welcome you, aye, out of pity.” Kelso laughed at her.

Una nearly slapped him, but knew something to say that would hurt him even more. “You’d ken, for ’tis what Elspeth thinks of bedding you.”

He fell silent, and for a moment he looked as if he might toss her across the chamber. “Aye, right. She’s forgotten the pleasure I gave her, distracted by those two would-be lassies.” He came at her, forcing her back against the stone side of the hearth. “You wish to ken what she’s missing, then, chamber maid? Do you covet my hefty cock for yourself?”

His bragging and threatening made Una experience a pang of overwhelming sorrow; she understood the kind of pain that made someone lash out as Kelso was. She’d taunted others in the same way to hide her own loneliness and suffering. That was why she flung her arms around his neck, stood on her toes and kissed him.

His big hands grabbed her waist, and for a moment she wondered if he would hurl her across the room. Then he kissed her back, giving her his tongue and sliding his hands to her hips to lift her against his chest.

Una had always used men to better her position or get her what she wanted; with Kelso she’d meant only to stop him from making her only friend more miserable than she was. So why now did she burn as if he’d set fire to her with his ravishing mouth and lustful hands? He fondled her chebs with such outrageous boldness she wanted to groan against his lips, but only a low whimper escaped her.

Sweat broke out on her scalp as he ended the kiss and worked one hand into her bodice. The roughness of his calloused fingers rasping over her cheb made her shiver.

“Shall I unlace my gown?” Una asked softly. “Or do you mean to throw up my skirts?”

Kelso jerked away as if she’d doused him in boiling water. “You wretched schemer, to do such to me. You wish me harm you so you may run to Elspeth and tell her I’m a brute.”