Rebellion & In From The Cold by Nora Roberts Read Free Book Online Page B

dining hall, and when I have a solitary meal I find it less lonely.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Molly, tell the cook that Lord Ashburn is awake and hungry.” She led him into a parlor where a table had already been set for him. “Shall I leave you now, or would you prefer company?”
    “I always prefer the company of a beautiful woman, my lady.”
    With a smile, she accepted the chair he held out for her. “Coll said you were a charmer.” Apron or not, she sat as gracefully as any drawing room miss Brigham had known. “I wasn’t able to thank you properly last night. I’d like to make up for that now and give you all my gratitude for delivering Coll home.”
    “Would that I had delivered him under better circumstances.”
    “You brought him.” She offered her hand. “I owe you a great deal.”
    “He’s my friend.”
    “Aye.” She squeezed his hand briefly. “So he’s told me. That doesn’t lessen the debt, but I won’t embarrass you.” Molly brought in coffee and Fiona poured, pleased by the opportunity to make use of her china. “Coll asked for you this morning. Perhaps after you’ve eaten you would go up and speak with him.”
    “Of course. How does he?”
    “Well enough to complain.” Fiona’s smile was maternal. “He’s like his father, impatient, impulsive and very, very dear.”
    They spoke idly while his breakfast was served. There was porridge and thick slabs of ham, portions of fresh fish with eggs and oatcakes and numerous jams and jellies. Though he chose coffee over the breakfast whiskey, it occurred to him that, while remote, this Highland table could easily rival one in London. The lady sipped her coffee and encouraged Brigham to eat his fill.
    He found her burr charming and her conversation direct. While he ate, he waited for her to ask him what he and her husband had discussed the night before. But the questions didn’t come.
    “If you’ll give me your jacket this evening, my lord, I would mend it for you.”
    He glanced at the ruined sleeve. “I fear it will never be the same.”
    Her eyes were sober when they met his. “We do what we can with what we have.” She rose, bringing Brigham to his feet. Her skirts swished quietly into place. “If you’ll excuse me, Lord Ashburn, I have much to see to before my husband returns.”
    “The MacGregor has gone?”
    “He should be home by evening. We all have much to do before Prince Charles makes his move.”
    Brigham’s brow lifted as she left. He’d never known a woman to take the threat of war quite so complacently.
    When he returned upstairs, he found Coll a bit pale and shadowed around the eyes but sitting up and arguing.
    “I won’t touch that slop.”
    “You will eat every drop,” Serena said threateningly. “Gwen made it especially for you.”
    “I don’t care if the Blessed Virgin dipped her finger in it, I won’t have it.”
    “Blaspheme again and you’ll wear it.”
    “Good morning, children.” Brigham strolled into the room.
    “Brig, thank God,” Coll said feelingly. “Send this wench on her way and get me some meat. Meat,” he repeated. “And whiskey.”
    After crossing to the bed, Brigham raised a brow at the thin gruel Serena held in a bowl. “It certainly looks revolting.”
    “Aye, that’s just what I said myself.” Coll fell back against the pillows, relieved to have a man on his side. “No one but a thick-skulled woman would expect anyone to eat it.”
    “Had a rather nice slab of ham myself.”
    “Ham?”
    “Done to a turn. My compliments to your cook, Miss MacGregor.”
    “Gruel’s what he needs,” she said between her teeth, “and gruel’s what he’ll have.”
    After a shrug, Brigham sat on the edge of the bed. “I’ve done my bit, Coll. It’s up to you.”
    “Toss her out.”
    Brigham fluffed his lace. “I hate to disoblige you, my dear, but the woman terrifies me.”
    “Hah!” Coll set his chin and eyed his sister. “Go to the devil, Serena, and take that slop with