Page 35 of Love Beyond Words
“I dinna mean to interrupt ye, ye just surprised me, is all. What were ye about to say?”
He sat quietly for a moment as if he were trying to remember. Then he shook his head as it came back to him.
“Oh, I was just going to agree with ye. While I suppose such a scrawny, unfortunate looking bastard like Calder would prefer a lass small enough to make him feel like more of a man, I doona mind a lassie with more meat on her bones. I find Laurel verra bonny, as well. I believe ye would be hard pressed to find a man who shares Calder’s opinion of her.”
Even Maddock’s suggestion surprised him. While he knew his vision had still been impaired when he visited with Laurel, her size had never crossed his mind. More than that, he could still remember what it felt like to hold her in his arms. He’d never found the feel of someone against him more pleasing.
“Calder is an imbecile and I am glad we are rid of him.” Raudrich paused and brushed his hands on his pants. “Now, let us put all of this nastiness behind us, for I doona like such talk of Laurel even between us. She deserves more respect than to be whispered about amongst men.”
Maddock stood and nodded in agreement.
“Aye, ’tis precisely why I will say nothing of this to the other men. ’Tis only that I willna be surprised if she still seems rattled by the whole ordeal over dinner. I dinna want ye asking her what was wrong in front of everyone else, so I thought I should tell ye.”
If Laurel’s belief in her own beauty was in any way damaged by Calder’s idiocy, he would make certain that her confidence was restored.
“I’m glad ye did. Do ye have the strength to go and gather the others for dinner, or should I?”
Maddock sank bank down onto the stool.
“If I walk back up those stairs again, I willna have the strength to come back down them for dinner. Best ye go.”
Raudrich smiled. He expected his friend was milking the situation just a little.
“Aye, fine. Go and rest yerself at the table. I’ll gather everyone now.”
Chapter 20
“I can wait if you want, Laurel. It’s really not a big deal.”
Marcus was eyeing me skeptically. He could see that something was wrong. While he knew better than to ask, I could see that it annoyed him that I’d yet to tell him what was up with me.
I didn’t want to talk about it. Not with Marcus. Not with anyone.
It had taken an hour-long walk, three failed attempts at meditation, and some serious positive self-talk to gain my composure. I’d actually been thankful for the screaming—terrifying as the sound was with the way it echoed down every hallway in the castle—when it began. It helped me block out my own self-pity-filled thoughts. By the time the mysterious screaming finished, I was in a much better mood.
“No, it’s okay. Go ahead and go down. I’m just going to finish braiding my hair. I’ll be down in just a minute.”
I wanted a few minutes to myself before dinner. I needed to take a few deep breaths and figure out how I was going to manage to sit across from Calder without lunging across the table at him or collapsing into tears again.
Maddock had been nothing but the perfect gentlemen—understanding and tender as he’d held me and allowed me to cry. He’d also hit on me in the absolute kindest way I’d ever been hit on in my life, but I’d not read into that overmuch. It was a pity come-on, but I still appreciated it, all the same.
Marcus hesitated as he reached the doorway.
“Do you think it’s safe? What do you think that screaming was?”
While part of me hoped the screaming was a result of Maddock hooking Calder up to some horrifying torture device, I knew his rude words weren’t enough to deserve such pain.
“I’m not sure, but I suspect maybe they came from Raudrich. I don’t know how medical stuff works around here, but if they were trying to set his ribs or his nose or something, that must have hurt like a son of a bitch.”
Marcus bared his teeth sympathetically.
“Ouch. I really do need to apologize to the guy. Can’t say I’m looking forward to that interaction.”
If Raudrich’s interaction with me was any indicator of his true character—which I had a feeling it was—he would be perfectly receptive to Marcus’ apology.
“Maybe after dinner you can go and see him. He’ll be kind to you, I’m sure. You’ll feel better once you get it out of the way.”
He nodded and opened the door to leave me.
