Page 47 of The Winter Laird

“If you value your life, you will remove your hands from her,” Nioclas said in a low voice.

Reilly kissed the top of her head and released her. “You’ve got yourself a jealous one.” Reilly snorted, amused, as Nioclas moved his hand to the hilt of his sword menacingly.

Brianagh didn’t know what to say to that, so she turned to Nioclas instead, saying in Gaelic, “I hope you don’t mind that I released your cook.”

“I believe I understand your reference about your teeth earlier,” Nioclas replied, allowing a small smile to escape. “Did no one warn you to avoid the bread?”

“Unfortunately,no onedid. I’ve brought in a woman from the village. She’s probably already arrived, and she comes highly recommended by the other women in the castle. I’ll have her to come to the kitchens immediately once she’s settled.”

“I’d recommend a taster,” Donovan muttered darkly.

Brianagh bristled, but Reilly laid a hand on her arm, ignoring Nioclas’s twitchy fingers. “I’ll do it.”

“You will?” Bri asked.

“Aye. It’s probably the only way I’ll be offered a meal.”

Brianagh burst out laughing. “Please tell me you’re staying?”

“That’s up to the laird.” Reilly grinned, meeting Nioclas’s stony face. “I’d need a chamber too.” Reilly’s face quickly darkened when Nioclas’s face didn’t change. “I see what you’re thinking, MacWilliam. Put me in your dungeon, and I promise I’ll get out.”

“Is that a threat?” Nioclas asked as Aidan placed a hand on his own hilt.

“Absolutely not.” Reilly smiled. “More of a vow.”

“Okay, enough,” Brianagh said, placing her hand on both Nioclas’s and Reilly’s arms. “Reilly, you will have a room, and if you really want to taste the food, feel free. But you’ll get a meal regardless. But you have to stop goading Laird MacWilliam, else I’ll kick you out myself.” She looked at the young kitchen maid in the corner, who chopped the food on the wooden board in front of her without taking her eyes off the four enormous men standing in the kitchen. Bri informed her, “Our new cook, Keela, and the Maguire cook will be along soon. If you could help acquaint Keela with the kitchen, I’d be grateful.”

“Aye, my lady,” the woman said with a quick bob. “Keela’s well-known to me.”

Reilly watched Nioclas observe Brianagh, then grinned. In English, he turned to her and held his arm out. “Take me to my room and tell me about this new cook you found. Nice job on letting Fergus go, by the way.”

“Thanks.” She laughed, leading him out of the kitchens. “Remember when I had to let Shelly Waters go? That was awful. She was so mad she spit on me.”

“Well, she couldn’t match anyone to save her life,” Reilly replied. “She tried to match Colin with her brother. And neither were interested in that sort of match.” He laughed at the memory of Colin’s shocked face when Shelly told him she found his perfect mate, and his name was John.

“Have you seen Colin?” Bri asked suddenly.

“Nay.” He turned serious. “I haven’t been back.”

Her face paled. “Can you not get back?”

He shrugged noncommittally. “I needed to make sure you’re all right. Even though it seems like I just dropped you here, I haven’t been far.”

“I still want to go back,” she said softly.

“To what? You’re meant to be here, Bri.”

She lowered her voice further. “My life is six hundred years in the future, Ry.”

“We’re not having this argument again.” Resolved, he quickened his pace.

She hastened to keep up, noticing Nioclas was only a few feet behind them. The bailey was mostly empty, as the meal bell had already rung. She flashed him a nervous smile, then said to Reilly, “He’s agreed to let me return home after three months.”

Reilly stopped dead in his tracks, then turned and glared at Nioclas before shaking his head. “You won’t want to.”

“Yes, I will,” she replied, although she sounded less certain of herself than usual.

“Must you always have the last word?” Reilly exploded, facing her. “I’m not taking you back!”

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