Page 43 of Kilty Plea
Payton’s other hand slowly curled into a fist as well, and he had to fight the urge to throttle the man.
Easy lad. Ignore the ale, making ye do things ye would no’ normally.
Oh, nay, he was fairly certain he wouldnormallywant to strangle the Abbot for what he’d heard of the bastard from Flora.
Aye, but ye’re a Hunter. ‘Tis yer duty to see men like this punished by the law. Unless he attacks ye, ye must remain calm. Remain calm, then drag his arse to the King for judgment.
But…as much as he hated it, Payton had to admit the Abbot wasallowedto run his abbey as he wished. The people who joined him were there of their own free will, even if they’d decided later—like Flora—they didn’t want to be there.
Och, aye? How’d Flora get there in the first place?
Actually…howhadshe arrived there? She’d said she’d fainted after the bandits attacked her home…
“Why are ye here, Abbot?” he growled, his first words to the man.
“Well, I had a meeting with some new men in Oban.” The older man shrugged good-naturedly. “And I thought I’d stop by MacIntyre Castle to see how married life was treating my favorite King’s Hunter.”
Payton shook his head, keeping his voice low. “Ye ken as well as I, Flora and I arenae truly married.”
“It hasnae stopped ye from fooking her up, down, and sideways, eh?” The Abbot winked lewdly. “I did ye a favor, and I want ye to remember that.”
Christ, Payton could barely think over the pounding of the blood in his temples. “What?” he snarled.
“A favor.” Grinning, the Abbot winked again. “An easy way to wet yer wick, as I said, and she’s a fine one. I did ye a favor, and I’ll need one soon enough.”
Afavor? “I killed yer bandits!” Payton blurted incredulously. “As ordered by the King himself.”
“Aye, a man with the King’s ear is a powerful friend.” The Abbot winked yet again, but this time ‘twas not vulgar. More…cheerful. “There might be more little tasks I could use a friend for, andyeowe me a debt now.”
What had Flora told him, all those weeks ago when he’d found her waiting for him on the roadside?
That’s why we were there—to be useful to him. To be given away…gifted to his friends or used to pay debts.
In order to stop his fist from slamming into the holy man’s face, Payton whirled, searching out Flora.
She wasn’t on the bench, and his frantic gaze didn’t see her.
Stalking away from the Abbot without a word, he reached his brother. “Daniel,” he demanded, latching onto his brother’s arm. “The Abbot of the Abbey of the People is over there.Do no’let him leave, aye?”
He waited until Daniel nodded in excitement and began to push his way through the crowd toward the Abbot, and then Payton turned for the stairs, praying he’d guessed correctly.
When he pushed open the door to his chambers, he blew out a sigh of relief.
Aye, there she was, standing with her back to him, staring into the fire. Her arms were wrapped around her middle, and her shoulders were slumped. Payton took the time to latch the door, so they wouldn’t be interrupted.
“Flora?” he asked quietly.
When she glanced over her shoulder at him, he saw the tear tracks, and his chest suddenly tightened.
“Flora!” Chest tight, he lunged across the room to her. “What is it, lass?”
But when he reached for her, she ducked out of his hold, silent tears still rolling down her cheeks.
Seeing her like this—and unwilling to accept his comfort—damned near broke him. “Flora?” he whispered, reaching out again, and she flinched away.
Nay.
Nay, no’ Flora.
