Page 32 of Kilty Plea
Sure enough, Lenny’s expression lit up, and the lad eagerly reached for his hand.
“If ye’d like, lad, tonight ye can sleep in there with yer sister,” Payton offered in a low voice. “That way ye dinnae have to watch over her. That’s what ye were doing, aye?”
The boy hesitated, shooting a multi-colored glance at the door, afore nodding slowly. Ah. So, ithadn’tbeen concern over Flora which had kept her brother out here all night. Likelyhe’dbeen the frightened one.
Well, either way, having to share a room with him would keep Payton from kissing Flora again.
No matter how much he wanted to taste her again, he wasn’t going to push himself on her like that.
“Let’s go eat, lad.”
* * *
The following daysweren’t any calmer. In fact, as Payton’s sisters and their families arrived, the Castle became more and more crowded. ‘Twas as hectic as he remembered holidays as a child. But whereas he used to find the constant motion and gatheringsexciting, now he was merely tired by them.
And strangely, it seemed as if Flora felt the same way.
Despite his best efforts, he rarely saw her during the days.
While Mam and Anna—and his sisters—pulled her into preparing for feasts and festivals, Da and the rest of the men kept Payton busy with questions and requests for help. He traveled to remote crofts, he helped repair roofs in the village, and he even agreed to do some sparring to help train the younger warriors.
The only good thing about these full days was that Lenny, more often than not, tagged along beside him. Aye, the lad sat with his sister at mealtimes, but he seemed to enjoy Payton’s company well enough.
Mayhap because Payton didn’t expect the lad to speak.
He noticed other MacIntyres ignored Lenny completely or treated him as if he didn’t understand basic things. But Payton knew the lad just didn’t prefer to speak, and thus didn’t push him. He still taught Flora’s brother useful things, and assumedthatwas why the lad followed him about.
This was, of course, less appealing in the evenings, after the celebrations, when everyone would retire to their chambers…because, thanks to Payton’s invitation, Lenny now slept in his chamber.
How in St. Bart’s big toe had this happened?
A month ago, he’d been alone—other than his brothers-in-arms—and happy about it. Now he had a fake wife and a lad who wouldn’t leave him be.
And why didn’t he hate this new change?
A month ago, he’d been dreading returning home to the chaos and confusion andnoise. Now…well, he still was uncomfortable, but he cherished the evenings, when he could finally sit and justspeakwith Flora, hearing about her day and what she’d learned.
They also spoke of other things; his time with the Hunters, her years with her father and Lenny on their farm.
But he didn’t ask her about her time in the Abbey, and she didn’t volunteer it. ‘Twas obviously an uncomfortable topic, and he didn’t want Lenny to learn more about the evil in the world.
Preparations for Yule kept all the MacIntyres in high spirits and Payton had to admit there was something joyful about the occasion. On the day designated to choose the Yule log, he cornered Flora after she broke her fast.
“Come with us?” he asked, catching her hand.
Startled, Flora peered around him. “Ye’re leaving the keep?”
“We’re off to fetch the Yule log. Of course, Daniel has already scouted ahead and found a good choice, so the hunt itself will likely be boring. I’m just anxious to escape a bit, and thought ye might be too?”
Her shoulders slumped as she exhaled, but the look she shot him was pure gratefulness. “I’m supposed to learn how to make cheese today, but I wouldloveto join ye. Let me go fetch my cloak.”
“And I’ll find Lenny. I think yer brother would enjoy the adventure too.”
Was it his imagination, or did something like disappointment flicker across her features afore she turned to hurry up the stairs?
When she joined him in the courtyard later, his face split into a grin when he saw what she wore. “Gone to fetch yer cloak, eh?” he teased, tucking her arm in his. “Ye meanmycloak.”
Indeed, she was bundled in the fur-lined cloak he’d given her the night they met.
