Page 17 of Kilty By Association
She shrugged. “If there were attempts against his life in both places, I’d rather him be at home.I’drather be in the Highlands. And now that we have a Hunter to guard us…”
When she sent him a shy glance, Craig felt himself flushing again. In pride?
“I’ll keep him safe, milady. I swear it.”
“Elspeth,” she corrected softly.
“Elspeth.”
Chapter 4
After that first afternoon,the journey settled into an easy routine, which was—frankly—delightful. Rather, the routine itself was delightful, of course, but justhavinga routine was helpful.
Ye’re blathering.
Elspeth grinned at herself and nudged Mary’s head a bit so she plopped against her forearm. The further north they’d traveled, the wilder the land—and the roads—became, so they’d abandoned the carriage yesterday, and now rode instead.
Mary had never been the best of nappers, but now she was only snoozing for a few minutes at a time, when she became bored with chewing on the reins and kicking happily at the sight of a hawk in the sky.
“Ye’re doing that more often these days.” The quiet rumble came from beside her.
The only time Craig wasn’t beside her was when Robbie needed protecting, and she appreciated that. Now she raised a brow. “Doing what?”
“Smiling.” He nodded to the bairn asleep in her lap. “Is it because she’s finally asleep?”
And aye, her smile grew. “’Tis because I’m almost home. The land herefeelsdifferent, aye? Dangerous and wild and dramatic. ‘Tis my favorite.” She glanced down at Mary. “I hope it becomes my children’s favorite as well.”
“For certes it will. With their mother speaking so beautifully about it.”
She lifted her gaze to see him staring at her lips, and her breath caught. Was he…was he talking abouther?
Oh.
Perhaps her expression changed. Somehow, Craig became aware of the charged air between them and cleared his throat, sitting higher in the saddle. He faced forward once more, attention on everything but her, but she had no doubt he was watching her.
He reallywasthe perfect protector.
“I love this land, too,” he admitted. “I’ve missed it. The King hasnae sent me to the Highlands as often as I’d like, since becoming a Hunter.”
“Really? Have ye visited home?” She remembered him saying he’d been raised with the Oliphants.
“Aye, a few times. My cousins are all there.” As he spoke, she noticed him relaxing, sitting more naturally. “My great-grandda was Laird Oliphant, ye ken.”
“I didnae.” She’d nudged her horse closer so she could hear his low voice, and appreciated he was trying not to wake the baby, although she’d wake soon enough on her own. “So ye have noble blood?”
He glanced at her, a small smile on his lips. The beard he’d trimmed and shaved at the beginning of their journey had grown back until ‘twas almost as full that night he’d kissed her, but she thought it just made him look…softer, somehow.
“My great-grandda had seven illegitimate sons, and my grandda was one of the eldest. Want to hear the story?”
“I do!” called Robbie, trotting closer. When Elspeth raisedboth brows, he lowered his voice. “Sorry. I mean,I do,” he whispered, then turned to look over his shoulder at Brigit, who rode with his sister. “I cannae stand to hear Kat’s plans for catapults anymore.”
Elspeth had to chuckle. In an attempt to keep the five-year-old appeased, Brigit had designed a miniature trebuchet, which one of the guards—likely besotted with the saucy maid—had built.
“She’s still planning on protecting Dungotit?”
Robbie snorted, sitting easy in the saddle, the reins draped over his thighs. “Her plans involve tossing rotten produce, Mary and I when we annoy her, and possibly her pony. She doesnae even remember the place.”
And he did? He’d been seven when she’d fled to safety, terrified of what faceless danger awaited him. He had so much ahead of him, and she prayed Craig could keep him safe until the villain was discovered.
