“Didn’t you tell me that I was to have anything I so desire per your laird’s instructions?” She had him now, and he knew it. Gavin gave her the same look he’d just given Isabelle, and it took all of her courage to defy him. “Come on, Isabelle, show me the kitchen,” Gwen said, holding out her hand and leaving Gavin no choice but to follow them.

They continued down the hallway, then walked through the swinging doors at the end. “Oh my God,” Gwen exclaimed, “this kitchen is fabulous.” She turned to them. “What would you like for breakfast?” she asked. “I can make omelets, French toast, pancakes,” then she added with less enthusiasm, “I suppose oatmeal, if that’s what you’d like.”

“What’s an omelet, Gwendolyn?” Isabelle asked.

“Do you like eggs?”

“Aye, we have them all the time.”

Isabelle sounded bored with her reply, and Gwen set her straight immediately. “An omelet is made with eggs, but filled with potatoes, cheese, onions, and ham.”

“That sounds delicious,” Isabelle exclaimed, her eyes bright once again.

“Well, what do you say, Gavin?” Gwen asked, turning to him. “You game?” Damn, he was tough, his face was completely expressionless.

“I’ll leave it to the two of you,” he answered. He walked away and sat at the large table on the right side of the room.

“Fine, just sit, Gavin. Isabelle and I will make you a meal you’ll never forget.” Hoping to give Gavin a few minutes alone, Gwen asked, “Okay, Isabelle, help me gather the ingredients?”

“The pantry’s on the left, and the cellar’s below,” Isabelle explained as she walked to the door and opened it.

Floor-to-ceiling shelves were filled with all kinds of foods: spices, nuts, dried fruits, and an assortment of canisters that Gwen began to open. There was flour, sugar, oats, and things that she had no idea as to what they were. There were large burlap sacks on the floor, and she opened those next. She hoped her curiosity wasn’t obnoxious, but she just couldn’t seem to help herself. The first sack she opened had potatoes in it, and she took out two, handing them to Isabelle. She looked in the one next to it and found onions. Gwen jumped up and down again. “This is great, you have everything we need.”

She already knew they had eggs and cheese, and the only thing missing now was some bacon or ham. She came out of the pantry intent to bring Gavin out of his stupor. “Gavin, is there any meat we can use?” she asked. He raised a brow but remained quiet.

Gwen tried again. “Something like bacon or ham. You know smoked meat, from a pig.” Gwen made an oinking noise, and he finally smiled, shaking his head as he stood.

“Aye, lady, we’ve smoked meat—from a pig.”