Page 42 of A Thistle Beyond Time
“Cormac, just ignore him. He’s just trying to get a rise out of us,” Jenna growled, tugging on the sleeve of Cormac’s jacket.
“I have places to go and people to see, sweet cheeks, so I’ll get out of your hair… for now.” Jonathan leaned in and kissed Jenna’s cheek and Cormac lunged at him. Jenna grabbed Cormac before he could make contact with Jonathan.
“Don’t, Cormac. It’s exactly what he wants.” Jenna stood between the two men who continue to glare menacingly at each other. “Goodbye, Jonathan.”
Jonathan strutted away, with a cocky look on his face.
Cormac glanced down at Jenna, his eyes questioning. “Are ye sure ye dinnae still care for him, lass?”
“God, no! Cormac, I’ve already told you that. I’d say my feelings for him come closer to hate.”
“Then why do ye not allow me to knock him on his arse? I’ve no doubt he’d stop bothering you if I did,” Cormac assured her.
“I know him and I know what he’s trying to do. He wants you to punch him. When you do, he’ll have you arrested and then he’ll try to coerce more money out of me, to get the charges dropped. I can’t let that happen to you. I’m going to call my lawyer tomorrow and get a restraining order. Then he’ll have to stay away from me.”
Cormac appeared confused and she chalked it up to the language barrier. He obviously didn’t understand many of the American terms she used. Jenna put her arms around his waist, very aware of the well-muscled physique under his tuxedo. “Come on,” she coaxed. “Let’s not allow him to spoil our night, okay?”
“Aye,” Cormac agreed as he hugged her close.
Jenna shivered and laughed. “I was warm and now I’m cold.”
Cormac took her hand and they walked back inside to the fairyland atmosphere of the gala.
* * *
The music and dancing continued long into the night and Jenna seemed to be relaxed and enjoying herself. Cormac was sure to stay close and kept a watchful eye on their surroundings to be sure that Jonathan didn’t appear again. It hurt his pride that he was unable to protect Jenna from the threat that Jonathan presented. A man in his time would have ensured her safety by removing the threat, but in this time, it was apparently frowned upon. So many of the things he had seen since his arrival were perplexing to him, and he had no choice but to accept them. He would do it to keep the peace with Jenna – unless things worsened, of course.
Cormac stood guard in the hallway outside of the ladies room, when Jenna visited it, waiting for her to reappear. The scowl on his face went a long way towards keeping people at arm’s length.
“Is everything alright, Cormac?” Jenna’s Aunt Angelina laid a gentle hand on his arm to catch his attention. “You look fit to kill someone,” she teased.
“Aye. I’d like to, but Jenna will nae allow it,” Cormac answered, tension written all over his face.
“Why, what’s going on?” Angelina asked.
“Jenna’s former husband is making her miserable. We had words outside earlier.” He clenched and unclenched his fists in frustration. “I just dinnae ken why Jenna willnae allow me to take care of him. It wouldnae take much to get him to leave her be.”
“Unfortunately, Cormac, you’d end up in jail.” Angelina fussed with her dress and glanced at the line of women waiting to use the ladies’ room. “She’s lucky to have you to protect her.”
“She doesnae want my protection, Angelina. She has told me not to interfere and I have honored her request, although it chafes to do so. I can protect her and if he tries to hurt her, he will regret it, but I’m only here for a short while. I must return to my home. I’ve asked Jenna to come with me, but she willnae.”
“I see. Well, youhaveonly known each other a short time, right? Maybe after she knows you a bit better she’ll change her mind.”
“I cannae stay, I must go back. Mayhap she’ll change her mind before then. It’s a fine life I can offer her, but she doesnae trust me yet.”
“Cormac, I can see you’re an honorable man. Jenna deserves that. Especially after what she’s been through with Jonathan, but this might all be happening too quickly for her. When do you have to leave?”
“I have a few more days here,” he answered.
“That’s a shame. It would do Jenna good to get away for a while. Maybe you could convince her to go for a short vacation.”
“Vacation?”
“Oh, dear, I’m sorry. For rest and relaxation,” Angelina said.
Cormac continued to look puzzled.
“Sorry I took so long.” Jenna approached them from the ladies’ room. “I’m always amazed at the wait.”
