So the lady does not wish to see her old lover. Did she fear he would reveal their secret tryst those many years ago? Cree also wondered if Ann Gerwan would seek out Kirk and speak with him privately now that she knew he was here. Perhaps he could manage to hasten that meeting.
“The McCluskys are fine warriors and are far from heathens. I will have them join us for a meal and you will see for yourself.” He didn’t give anyone a chance to debate the issue with him. He stood. “Now if you will excuse me there is a matter I must attend to.”
“Is it that important that you must attend to it now?” Lucerne asked, as if insulted that he should even think of excusing himself.
“Yes, it is,” Cree said and gave a nod to Sloan reminding him to remain close to Lucerne, and he rolled his eyes as if he was suffering the torments of hell. Cree ignored him and the disapproving glares and went to find Flanna.
Servants stopped to move aside and lower their heads as Cree headed along the narrow stone passageway that connected the kitchen to the keep, though kept it at a safe enough distance in case of a fire.
He knew he’d find Flanna in the kitchen. Turbett and she had been spending much time together. It seemed that the pair was attracted to each other, though no one would ever think them a fine match. Where he was broad and thick, Flanna was short and narrow and more than plain features. And yet the two wore the happiest expressions when around each other.
Cree stopped abruptly just before stepping into the kitchen. Is that how others viewed Dawn and him? Did most believe them odd fitting? He shook his head. He didn’t care what others thought. How he and Dawn felt was the only thing that mattered.
Work stopped as soon as Cree walked into the kitchen.
“My lord, is there a problem with the food?” Turbett asked, as if he could not believe his own question.
“Rest easy, Turbett, nothing is ever wrong with the meals you prepare, I but wish to speak with Flanna.”
Turbett nodded, though frowned and Cree got the feeling that Flanna may have shared her concern with him.
Flanna stepped forward and nodded toward the storage room. Cree followed her silent suggestion and she followed him into the small space.
Cree quickly asked, “Is Dawn all right?”
“She is upset?”
“Why?”
“It seems the reason Ann Gerwan was late was because she went to see Dawn and advised her to leave here and not darken her daughter’s bright future. Of course those are my words but Dawn’s nod confirmed that it went something like that.”
Cree didn’t waste a minute, he turned and left Flanna staring after him, though she wore a smile. The devil was going to protect his own.
It didn’t take long before Cree was entering Dawn’s cottage, not bothering to knock, but then he never did. He saw that his unannounced entrance had brought her pacing, in front of the hearth, to an abrupt stop. But what concerned him the most was the sadness in her eyes.
He was at her side in an instant and she fell into his embrace just as quickly. He felt her body shudder and begin to tremble and he knew that she was crying. And it ripped at his heart far worse than any knife ever could.
He held her tight and let her weep. He assumed that Ann Gerwan was the cause of her tears. He would find out for certain as soon as Dawn’s tears were spent and she could explain. And then he would eventually see that the woman suffered for making Dawn cry.
Dawn didn’t want to let go of Cree. She had never been more relieved to see him. Somehow her anger had turned to an overwhelming sadness and all she wanted, all she ached for was his arms around her. And now that he was here, she never wanted him to let her go.
Her arms went around his neck when he lifted her and carried her into the other room, and when he sat on the bed resting her in his lap, she laid her head on his shoulder. They sat that way until Dawn’s tears faded and her heaving stopped.
Cree lifted her chin and wiped the last of her tears off her cheeks with his finger. “Now you will tell me who made you cry so badly, so that I may whip the person to shreds.”
He was not teasing; he meant it and Dawn could never knowingly be the cause of someone’s suffering. So she decided that instead of answering, she would kiss him. Besides she wanted to kiss him. His kisses were magical and at the moment she needed his magic.
She brushed her lips over his, though surprisingly he didn’t respond. So she pressed her lips to his in a more assertive kiss and still he didn’t respond. He always responded and that he didn’t… troubled her.