CHAPTER 18

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