In Bed with a Highlander (McCabe Trilogy 1)

Light perced through the window that no longer had the fur covering it, and the sun’s height told her she’d slept far later than she’d intended.

Gertie wouldn’t be pleased, and Mairin would have to wait for the noon meal. For that matter, it might be noon already.

The night came back to her in a rush. Heat centered low in her abdomen and scorched higher until her cheeks were flaming. She sat up, then realized she was completely nude. She grabbed the bed coverings and clutched them to her chin, then dropped them in disgust.

She was alone in the bedchamber. No one was going to see her. Still, she scrambled from the bed and hastily donned her clothing.

Her hair was in disarray and a quick feel of her cheeks told of the flush that was still there. She probably looked like a hot coal.

She’d actually told the laird that he wasn’t skilled at loving. Aye, he’d showed her differently. He’d done things that she hadn’t imagined two people ever doing. His mouth … and his tongue.

She flushed all over again and closed her eyes in mortification. How could she ever face him again?

Mairin adored Mother Serenity. She trusted her above all others. The abbess had been good to Mairin. And patient. Aye, she’d had the patience of Job when it came to instructing Mairin and answering all the questions Mairin had plied her with. But it was becoming increasingly clear that perhaps the abbess had left out a lot about loving. And kissing.

Mairin frowned as she pondered just how different the teachings of the older woman had been from the startling reality of bedding. If the abbess had been wrong about kissing … and loving … what else could she be wrong about? Mairin felt suddenly ignorant and woefully uninformed.

Never one to stew in her own ignorance, she decided that she would just have to seek out instruction on the matter. Christina … well, she was too young. And unmarried. Gertie frightened Mairin with her sharp retorts. Besides, she’d probably just laugh at Mairin and shoo her out of the kitchens. Which left Maddie. She was older and certainly more worldly. Plus, she had a husband, so surely she could offer insight into loving and who had the wrong of it.

Feeling better about her plan, she brushed the tangles out of her hair and braided it so she didn’t look like she’d just spent the night indulging in loving. Then she headed out of her chamber and descended the stairs.

To her chagrin, Cormac was waiting in the hall. As soon as she entered, he rose and fell in step beside her. She shot him a disgruntled look, but he merely smiled and offered her greeting.

Deciding not to offer him any encouragement, she instead pretended he wasn’t there and went toward the kitchens to brave Gertie’s wrath. When she got to the doorway, the ruckus within made her pause.

There was an awful clanging and banging of pots and Gertie’s voice rose above the din as she screeched her displeasure at one of the kitchen maids.

Maybe it wasn’t the time to try to cajole a late breakfast from the cranky cook.

“Uh, Cormac?”

“Aye, my lady.”

“Is it close to time for the noon meal? I confess I slept over late this morning. I didn’t at all sleep well last night,” she rushed to say. She didn’t want to give Cormac the idea that her lateness was due to anything else.

He smothered a smile with the back of his hand and then summoned a more serious expression. She glared at him for his thoughts were plainly written in his smug look.

“He probably boasted to everyone,” she muttered.

“Your pardon, my lady?” Cormac said as he leaned forward.

“Nothing.”

“ ’Tis approaching the noon meal. Perhaps another hour at most. If you like, I’ll ask Gertie for a plate if you’re hungry now.”

Her stomach growled at the suggestion of food, but a wary glance at the kitchen when another crash sounded decided the matter for her.

“Nay, I can wait. I have other things to do.”

She set off at a determined pace, hoping Cormac would take the hint and leave off. But he dogged her steps, keeping pace with her as she descended the steps of the keep.

She was greeted by a blast of sunshine that warmed her despite the chill. She hadn’t remembered the shawl that Maddie had left for her, and she was loath to go back up the stairs to fetch it. Unless …

She turned and gifted Cormac with a sweet smile. “I left my shawl in the laird’s chamber and there is still a chill to the air. Would you mind ever so much fetching it for me?”

“Of course not, my lady. It wouldn’t do for you to take a chill. The laird would be most unhappy. Wait right here and I’ll have it for you in just a moment.”

She stood demurely until the moment he disappeared back into the keep and then she set off at a brisk walk, careful to avoid the courtyard. On the way, she stopped two women and asked if they knew where she could find Maddie. After being told that Maddie was in her cottage after her morning duties, Mairin hurried toward the row of neat cottages that lined the left side of the keep.

When she reached Maddie’s door, she took a deep breath and knocked. A moment later, Maddie opened the door and seemed surprised to see Mairin standing there.

“My lady! Is there something I can help you with?”

Mairin glanced over her shoulder to make sure Cormac wasn’t breathing down her neck.

“There is. That is, I hoped there is something you could instruct me on,” Mairin said a low voice. “In private.”

Maddie stepped back and motioned Mairin inside. “Of course. Do come in. Would you like refreshment? I was warming some rabbit stew over the fire. My husband does like a nice hot bowl of stew for his luncheon, but he won’t be here to eat for a little while yet.”