Loving A Highlander by Aileen Wells Page B

of the best around.  You are in for a treat.”
    He reached out to capture a lock of her hair, letting it slide through his fingers.  Emotion flickered in his eyes before he cleared his throat and turned away.  “We need to get going.  The Great Hall is always crowded in the evenings and we will be lucky to find seats.  You might not mind standing while you eat, but I intend to enjoy my meal.”
    He turned away from her only to turn back.  His gaze wandered over her, starting with the top of her head and ending at her feet.
    If Isabella had been expecting a compliment, she was sadly disappointed.  She motioned for him to wait while she grabbed a shawl Eva had left off of the chair.  With deft movements, she settled it about her shoulders and fastened it at her throat.
    “Goodness, lass,” Gerard grumbled, as they stepped out into the deserted corridor.  “Dinner will be half over by the time we get there.  I’ve been on the road for so long a home cooked meal will be appreciated, but there will be none left if we don’t hurry.”
    Isabella stopped in her tracks, her eyes flashing fire.  “I’m sorry you found my hospitality so lacking.”
    Gerard stopped walking as well and turned to her in surprise.  Understanding dawned in his eyes and his expression softened.  “Ah, lass, I didn’t mean to make you angry.  Of course I appreciate everything you did for me, but you have to admit your selection of food was a bit on the meager side.”
    “Well, you shouldn’t have eaten so much of it then,” she hissed. 
    His eyes widened slightly, but he allowed her to continue.
    “In case you didn’t notice,” Isabella said, giving him a scathing glance. “I didn’t eat just so you would have enough food in your belly.”
    She turned, but not before she saw the stunned expression on Gerard’s face.  Apparently it hadn’t occurred to him that there hadn’t been enough food for two.  And why would it?  He had obviously never gone without nourishment a day in his life.  He didn’t know what it was like to wonder where your next meal was coming from or to feeling the gnawing pains of hunger twisting your stomach into knots.
    “You didn’t eat?”  He walked quickly to catch up with her.
    Isabella stopped at the top of the stairs when his large hand closed around her arm.  She waited for the torrent of angry words that she knew was forthcoming.
    Gerard turned her to face him.  Emotion flickered in his blue eyes, but then was gone.  “Are you telling me that I ate while you went hungry?”  His gaze searched her face for the truth.
    She nodded.  “Aye.  There wasn’t enough food for the both of us and you needed it far more than I.  I was afraid your condition would worsen otherwise.”
    Gerard let go of her arm and scrubbed a hand across his face.  When he turned back to her, his expression was pained. “I’m sorry, lass.  You should have told me.” 
    Isabella turned her back on him.  “You were in no condition to make decisions where your well-being was concerned.”  She tossed over her shoulder.  “I did what was best.”
     
     
     
    The Great Hall was crowded.  Isabella stopped at the entrance of the room and scanned the tables, hoping to find a familiar face.  She breathed a sigh of relief when she spotted Eva at the head table, seated next to her husband.  The children weren’t with her, but she knew that Gerard had escorted them safely back to the nursery.
    “You are drawing attention to yourself,” Gerard leaned over and murmured in her ear.  “There is hatred in the eyes of the women and lust in the men’s.  It isn’t often they get to lay eyes on a stranger and a beautiful one at that.”
    Isabella’s gaze moved over the crowd.  A hush had fallen over the room and dozens of faces were turned in her direction. She took a step back and felt Gerard’s strong arm slide about her waist. 
    “Easy, lass,” he murmured.  “They can smell fear.  If you’re not