He could not tell her to keep a truthful tongue for if he did she would then be obliged to tell him that she lusted for him as much as he did for her. He had seen the innocent passion in her dark eyes and he had known that if he didn’t get out right there and then, he’d be buried deep inside her in no time.
And then what?
He shook his head. He had plans and Dawn was not part of those plans. She was an innocent and he would not use her for his pleasure and then discard her even if he saw passion in her eyes. It would not be right; she suffered enough having no voice.
He stomped to the keep determined to push the voiceless woman from his thought.
Sloan took one look at him and shook his head. Everyone cleared a path to let him through, his scowl was so frightening. Sloan continued shaking his head, grabbed hold of the young blond lass, Dorrie, who had asked repeatedly about Cree and walked her over to his solemn leader.
“I have a gift for you,” Sloan said and was about to shove Dorrie at him when she stepped forward of her own accord and without an ounce of fear.
“I know how to please a man,” she said throwing her shoulders back so that her large bosoms rested near his face.
Cree stared at her chest and thought about burying himself in her and easing his ache.
She stepped closer, her thin fingers reaching out to him. “And I will scream out with pleasure unlike the dumb one who makes not a sound.”
Cree snatched her wrist in his hand before she could touch him and she cried out. “Speak ill of Dawn and you will suffer for it.” He shoved her away from him and she stumbled and attempted an apology.
Sloan signaled one of the warriors and Dorrie was quickly carted away.
Sloan turned to Cree.
“Keep your warnings; I have no need of them,” Cree said and walked out of the Great Hall.
Chapter Fifteen
The next morning the villagers were roused early from their beds and told to report to their daily duties. Dawn was surprised to see repairs already being made to the buildings and cottages that suffered damage during the battle. She had hoped she would have time to stop at Lila’s and see how everyone was doing but she didn’t want to chance being late.
She hurried along with everyone else to their perspective chores, only to find that Flanna was no longer in charge of the kitchen. A large burly, bald man was lining everyone up as they arrived, including Flanna who quickly reached out to Dawn and yanked her to stand next to her.
When everyone was accounted for the man addressed them. “I am Turbett and I am now the cook in charge. I will assess and decide if the present kitchen staff will continue in their chores or be assigned duties elsewhere.”
Dawn listened more closely than others and while he appeared pleasant enough, his round, chubby face wearing a continuous smile, she could detect that he was a man who would expect much from his staff. He was probably not much different than Flanna and she lashed out with a wooden spoon when displeased with her workers. Dawn hoped that Turbett did not do the same.
“You will each tell me what your assigned kitchen chores are,” Turbett said.
Flanna spoke up. “I was the cook here and I have a good staff. I am sure they will serve you well.”
Turbett smiled as he said, “We will see about that. Go cook me a meat pie… without any help from your staff.”
Flanna gave a nod and turned to Dawn beside her. “This is Dawn—”
“Let her speak for herself,” Turbett said.
“She cannot; she has no voice. I will speak for her.”
“Do not bother,” Turbett said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “She is no use to me without a voice. She will be given work elsewhere.”
Flanna stepped forward. “The kitchen is all she knows and she takes orders well and is quick in accomplishing her tasks. She is an asset not a hindrance.”
“To you perhaps but not to me, she will be assigned work elsewhere.”
“Where?” Flanna demanded.
“That is no concern of yours.”
“It most certainly is.”
Dawn watched as the two went back and forth at each other, her stomach tightening. Flanna was right. She knew only kitchen work, no other. If he did not allow her to remain there and work she did not know what she would do. Flanna had been accepting of her but few others would be.
“My word is final,” Turbett yelled, his smile gone. “And if you don’t watch that sharp tongue of yours you’ll be gone along with her.”
Dawn would not see Flanna lose her work. She stepped forward and tapped her on the arm.