“How odd that the woman has no voice at all,” Kirk said refilling his own tankard. “She makes not even the smallest sound?”
Cree wondered over the man’s curiosity. What should it matter to him? Why was he interested in Dawn?
“No sound,” Cree confirmed.
“Though she does communicate well enough for one who cannot speak,” Torr said.
It sounded as if Torr praised Dawn and Cree grew annoyed. Didn’t the fool recall that he had warned him that Dawn was his woman? Would he need to plant his fist in Torr’s face to make him realize he was to stay away from her?
“Torr told me that though a woman interpreted for Dawn, he had had no trouble understanding her gestures,” Kirk said.
“Dawn communicates better than most would expect,” Cree said with pride that was not lost to the two men.
Their attentions were diverted when Sloan entered the hall with Bree tucked close to his side. He saw her to an empty table and sent Cree a nod as he filled a tankard with hot cider.
Cree was about to call for fresh drink and food for the McCluskys when Flanna appeared with several servants. They got busy replacing the food on the table with fresh dishes and full pitchers of ale replaced the empty ones.
He stood. “I’ll be a moment. Enjoy the food and drink.”
“We are grateful for your generosity,” Kirk said and Cree noticed that as soon as he left the dais father and son were once again deep in whispered conversation.
“How is Old Mary?” Cree asked as he approached the table.
“She does well,” Sloan assured him. “Elsa says she is no worse off for her ordeal and simply needs rest.”
Cree turned to the Bree who kept her head lowered out of respect or fear he wasn’t certain. “What were you doing outside the keep, Bree?”
Bree’s head shot up and anger burned in Cree’s gut. The bruise she had suffered had turned worse and the spot where the welt had been was now darkening.
“Please, my lord, I have no choice but to obey my mistress or suffer the consequences.”
Sloan slipped onto the bench beside her and took her hand. “I’ve told you that Cree is a fair man and not the monster you think he is, no matter what your mistress has told you.”
Cree was surprised by how gently Sloan spoke to the young lass and how he kept her hand clasped in his, as if he offered her protection against the infamous Cree. Sloan appeared genuinely concerned about her and Cree had to hold back a grin. Could the carefree Sloan actually be attracted to the meek lass?
“Lucerne sent you to fetch the healer?” Cree asked.
Bree shook her head. “To bring back a potion for her headache.”
“Tell your lord the rest,” Sloan said continuing to hold her hand.
Bree paled so badly that Cree thought she would parish.
“I will not let anyone hurt you. You have my word.”
Cree sat shocked by the way Sloan was protecting the lass and that he still hadn’t let go of her hand. Again he kept a grin locked away, but later when they were alone…
Bree cheeks suddenly grew so red Cree thought she would burst into flames. First she pales and then she turns scarlet, whatever was going on?
“One of you tell me now before I lose my temper,” Cree ordered sternly.
Sloan lowered his voice and leaned across the table as if he were about to share a secret. “When I went to fetch Elsa, Bree was there waiting for the potion to finish.” His hand tightened around Bree’s. “When Bree saw me she blushed and Elsa smiled and said that we would make a perfect pair since we both favored a variety of partners. Bree burst into tears and I was surprised myself by Elsa’s careless remark until she explained what had precipitated it.
“It seemed that Lucerne had requested a potion that prevented pregnancy for her servant, who enjoyed rutting with various men. She feared the lass’s wanton ways would leave her pregnant and Lucerne did not want that.”
Cree raised his hand before Sloan could go on. “Bree, you will finish telling me.”
Bree sighed and shook her head. “My mistress will make me suffer when she learns of this and she will learn of it for she has a way of finding things out.”
Sloan went to speak but Cree’s command stopped him. “Tell me.”
“My mistress wants the potion for herself. She does not want a babe as soon as she weds and once she does have one, she wants no more.” Her cheeks grew pink and she pulled her hand free from Sloan’s and dropped her head into her hands. “My mistress will kill me when she finds out what I have told you.”
“That will not happen.” Sloan sounded as if he decreed it.
“Bree need not worry about her mistress, but she does need to worry about me,” Cree said with a voice of authority that had Bree staring at him with tears in her eyes. “You went to the healer in a blinding snowstorm when I specifically told you that was the very reason I did not want the healer fetched. For disobeying me you will serve me until I command differently.”