Page 18 of Kilty By Association
So, she just prompted gently, “Would ye like to hear Craig—Sir Hunter’s story?”
It had been difficult to remember her promise to be formal in front of others, but her son didn’t mind.
“Aye, Craig, tell us!” He clearly had no trouble being informal with the man responsible for protecting him.
Mayhap Elspeth should follow his example.
“My great-grandda raised six illegitimate sons. Three sets of twins, all of them born the same year. He then went on to marry—puirly—to have one daughter. Then, after he’d married his true love, another son of his showed up. There were quite a few cousins floating about when I was growing up—‘twas difficult to marry on Oliphant land, because ye might be related to the person!”
Robbie and he both chortled at the joke, although her son’s involved more disgusted squealing.
“My grandda was one of the first six. He didnae have ahappy childhood until he went to live with his father. I got my size from him, but his twin brother was a scrawny thing, to hear him tell it. Uncle Malcom was brilliant, though, while my grandda, Rocque…” Craig smiled self-deprecatingly. “Well, let’s just say I got my brains from him, too.”
“I think ye’re smart,” Robbie offered. “Although Malcom sounds smarter.”
“He was! He invented all sorts of things. Each of the brothers had a talent. My grandda was the Oliphant Commander, the one who led the men. His father told them whoever married and produced a grandson could become the next laird. My uncle missed being the first grandson by only a few minutes! So Grandda’s brother became laird, and truthfully, I think Grandda was happier. He and Grandmam Merewyn raised four children, but I was their biggest grandson. The youngest, too.”
“They sound like a lovely family,” Elspeth offered. “I would’ve liked to meet them.”
He shot her a speculative glance. “I think Grandmam would like to have met you, too. None of that generation is left now, although Oliphant Castle is famous for our ghosts. Mad Laird Oliphant is my second cousin or something, but he just recently stepped back and turned the clan over to his auldest daughter, Coira, and her husband, the Oliphant Commander. She’s smarter than all of us and has been running things for years anyhow.”
A female laird? Nay, the way he described it, ‘twas a couple who shared the responsibility. How…novel. Suddenly, Elspeth was very curious indeed about this clan.
Apparently so was her son. “Ghosts! Mother, did ye hear that? Their castle is haunted! Can we visit?”
Before she could think of a diplomatic way to respond, Craig cleared his throat. “Actually, I’ve been meaning to suggest we stop there. ‘Twould be a welcome reprieve, for the littleones, at least”—he nodded to the bairn in her lap, who was beginning to stir—“and mayhap for ye?”
By her calculations, they were still several days from Dungotit, but stopping at Oliphant Castle would allow word of their imminent arrival to speed ahead, and the keep might be ready for them.
Or the danger would ready itself.
One of the two.
Still, the thought of a few days’ rest—for all of them!—was too lovely to deny, so she nodded. “That would be nice.”
Her words seemed to rouse Mary, and the little one jerked upright, letting out a startled squawk that drew Elspeth’s attention.
But not before she saw Craig’s excited smile.
“Hush, little one. We still have miles to go before ye can crawl about.” The bairn hadn’t begun walking yet, but she loved to scoot around, and being confined angered her.
So much for yer hopes for a demure, quiet daughter. Ye got another Katharine.
Smiling ruefully, Elspeth shifted her hold, trying to lift her daughter so she could stand. But Mary jerked sideways at the last moment, and almost slithered out of her grip. She cursed and caught the bairn, before realizing what she’d said.
As Robbie tittered, Elspeth felt her cheeks heating. “Mary, love, calm down—”
“Here.” Craig was suddenly beside her, reaching for the bairn. And Elspeth, uncertain what to do, released her daughter.
The large man easily lifted Mary under her arms. He’d tucked the reins against his thigh, and now lifted the bairn until they were face-to-face. She’d stopped fussing immediately and now watched him, her blue eyes studying him as she chewed on her fingers.
“There now,” he rumbled, offering the little one a smile. “There’s nae need to worry yer mother. Especially when she’s such a tiny thing and ye arenae. Ye should stay here with me.”
Mary removed her fingers from her mouth with an audiblepop, still staring at Craig. Her little lips opened…
“Da!”
Craig sucked in a startled breath as she babbled.
