Never Seduce a Scot (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #1)(34)

Eveline scowled at that. She knotted her fingers into a fist and Rorie laughed. “As I sit here speaking of protecting you, somehow I think it will be the other way around, won’t it?”

Catching Rorie’s eye, Eveline put a finger to her lips and kept it there so Rorie couldn’t misunderstand Eveline’s request.

Rorie sighed. “Of course I won’t share your secret, provided it doesn’t go on for too much longer and that it doesn’t hurt anyone or you. However, I won’t allow you to hide up in that chamber. You’ll eat in the hall tonight. You can sit by me. I know it hurts you to hear what members of my clan throw at you, but it will only grow worse if you back down and hide.”

Eveline knew she was right and furthermore, she had no wish to maintain a solitary existence. At home with her family, she’d been surrounded by people who loved her and yet she’d been utterly alone. Here, surrounded by strangers and enemies, she’d found someone who made her feel not quite so isolated. Rorie knew her secret. It was a start. In time, she’d find a way to tell Graeme of the things she’d hidden and hope that he responded well.

Rorie suddenly grimaced. “Ah, there’s Graeme bellowing for us. I can only assume he’s been searching to no avail. ’Tis close to time for the evening meal. Come, let’s go before he finds us.”

Graeme had just come down the stairs from the upper level when he saw Rorie and Eveline enter the great hall.

“Where have you been?” Graeme demanded as he strode toward the two women.

Rorie frowned. “You knew I was taking her around the keep. ’Tis important she be familiar with her new home.”

Graeme made a sound of impatience. “Where were you? You went inside the keep long ago and yet I wasn’t able to find you and no one’s seen you.”

“I took her to Da’s room.”

Graeme glanced between the two women and then gave Rorie a searching look. “Why on earth would you take her there?”

Rorie shrugged. “ ’Tis one of my favorite places.”

Graeme moved his stare to Eveline. “Are you hungry? ’Tis time to be seated for the evening meal, or would you prefer to eat above stairs in your chamber?”

A frown drew Eveline’s features tight, but before she could respond, Rorie was quick to answer.

“She’s sitting with me at tonight’s meal.”

Even as Rorie spoke, Eveline moved closer to her until they were side by side. Rorie reached down to take Eveline’s hand.

So Rorie had done as he’d asked and reached out to Eveline. Indeed, she appeared to have done far more. For the most part, Rorie was a lass who kept to herself and was usually happy to do so. Here, though, she seemed quite happy to be in Eveline’s company. It was something that should content Graeme and lift a burden from his shoulders. He no longer had to worry about what to do with Eveline if she struck up a friendship with his sister.

But then why was Graeme left with an unsettling suspicion that he wasn’t privy to all the facts?

“Come, let’s eat,” Graeme said.

The serving women were already going to the tables and many of his clansmen were already seated, awaiting their portions.

He walked ahead of Rorie and Eveline, leaving them to follow him to the dais. He took the step up and then reached courteously back to aid Eveline.

Her eyes widened, but she slipped her hand into his before stepping up to the table.

Her touch was a shock to his system. Thunder and lightning all at once. Her fingers were smooth, soft, pleasurable against his much rougher ones. He shouldn’t even be holding her hand for as long as he was. Such roughness had no place against such delicateness.

When he positioned her on his right, Rorie frowned and started to protest.

“Sit on her other side,” Graeme said. “Bowen can sit next to you tonight.”

“He won’t like it,” Rorie muttered. “It would be better if you were to put Eveline on my other side so she is away from Teague and Bowen. They do not like her.”

Graeme sighed. “Think you I’ll let them abuse her while I’m sitting here?”

“Nay, but she’ll know. She can see the way they look at her.”

“I appreciate that you seek to protect her, Rorie, but do not assume that I cannot also give her protection from those who wish her ill. ’Tis my duty as her husband and one I do not take lightly. Now sit. The both of you.”

Eveline eased onto the bench and Rorie climbed over to sit on her other side. Graeme took his position at the head of the table. More members of the clan filtered in and then his brothers appeared.

Teague’s expression became annoyed when he saw Eveline occupying Bowen’s place. Bowen didn’t see it until he was nearly there and to his credit, he managed to control whatever reaction he had.

“You’ll sit next to Rorie this eve, Bowen.”

Bowen was silent as he went to take his place on the other side of Rorie. Teague settled across from Eveline and sent a frown in her direction.

To Graeme’s surprise, she met Teague’s frown with a ferocious one of her own. And she didn’t back down. Teague, seeing it as a challenge, stared right back and the two were locked in a silent battle of wills.

With each passing second, Eveline’s scowl deepened and her mouth was set into a mutinous line.