Page 54 of Kilty Plea
“Ye love her, do ye no’?”
Craig’s rumble drew Payton’s attention from where his eyes had been following his wife. “Aye, of course I love her. I married her, did I no’?”
“Plenty of people marry for reasons other than love. But I’m remembering a conversation ye and I had at Barclay’s wedding last summer. Ye said ye’d no’ marry one of the spoiled ladies at court.”
Payton remembered that. He sat back in the large chair he’d had commissioned for the hall in the tower house. “I did.”
“And I’m thinking ye were right.” Craig nodded toward where Flora was chatting with her new mother-in-law, seeming at ease in her own home. “Yer new wife is aught but spoiled.”
“She’s a simple lass.” Payton took a sip of the ale, smiling. “One who is happy here with me.”
“Ye cannae ask for aught more,” his friend said, then started. “Och, Lenny! I didnae see ye there.”
Payton twisted to see Flora’s brother standing solemnly at his side. “Ye snuck up on us, lad. Are ye enjoying yerself?”
Lenny’s nod was solemn, and Payton had to smile. “Yer sister created the menu, and she told me she even made the bread.” A pause, just in case the lad had any response. “She said she used to enjoy making bread in yer father’s home.”
The lad just studied him.
Payton was becoming used to the fact Lenny only spoke to Flora. Luckily, he answered direct questions—as long as they could be answered with a nod—and he made his wishes known.
“I ken ye must miss yer da,” Payton offered softly, “but Flora and I made certain he’s been avenged. And ye ken ye have a place here with us. I’ll teach ye all ye need to ken to grow to be a good man, a strong man.”
Lenny’s gaze flickered across Payton’s ruined visage. And for the first time, the man realized this lad hadn’t once flinched away from his scars.
Just like his sister.
Finally, Lenny took a deep breath and offered his hand. “I’m pleased ye married her, Payton. Thank ye for making her happy.”
Payton gaped.
He gaped, then—after the pause became awkward—reached out to clasp the lad’s forearm and pull him forward into a hug. He wrapped his arm around this young brother-in-law of his and muttered against his hair, “My pleasure, lad.”
“Hello, my darling Pay-Pay!” When Mam bustled up, Flora in tow, Payton released Lenny and they separated. “What a delightful home ye’ve built! I’m so pleased for ye, my schmoopykins. Flora is turning out to be quite the perfect wife for ye!”
Behind her back, Flora rolled her eyes, and Payton didn’t bother hiding his grin.
“Aye, Mam, she is,” he announced, standing and reaching out a hand to Flora. When she took it, he pulled her up against his side. “I’m a lucky man.”
“Ye are!” His mother patted his arm. “I always kenned my sugarplum would settle down and give me more grandbairns where I can see them. I just wished ye lived closer, my little sweetmeat, so I could visit ye all the time.”
Payton very deliberately didnotlook at Flora, but could feel her barely controlled laughter, even so.
“Yes,” he deadpanned to his mother. “That is a shame.”
Flora turned and buried her face in his shoulder, hiding her laughter.
“Och, look at that, Lady MacIntyre,” Craig announced. “Ye’ve overwhelmed her with yer praise. What do ye say ye let me distract ye for a bit?”
“What?” Mam seemed confused. “Why?”
Craig nudged Lenny. “So these two can go be alone somewhere, eh? Do ye dance, milady?”
The lad seemed to pick up on the hint and bowed solemnly to Payton’s mother. Mam seemed confused when she gave her hand, then peered back over her shoulder when Craig and Lenny tugged her away.
Flora burst into laughter.
“Dingleberries! I dinnae think I could listen to aught more of herhelpful suggestions.At least Anna is sweet enough to sound impressed when I give her a tour. Yer mother is judgingeverything.”
