Page 27 of Kilty By Association
“Love ye too, Keke,” her son intoned dryy.
Elspeth was smiling as she kissed both her children goodnight, reminding them of their promises to stay in bed all night.
When she emerged into the hallway, Craig was standing there, staring at naught, his fingers resting against his cheek where Katharine had kissed him. Elspeth studied him for a moment. When they’d arrived this afternoon, he’d shaved again and trimmed his beard, and now he seemed more…civilized, mayhap?
She liked the way he looked like this.
But on the other hand, she liked the way he’d looked that first night in the tavern, all wild and bushy. The same way he’d looked today when he’d kissed her behind the thicket.
Finally, he roused himself to offer his arm. “They’ll be safe, Elspeth, I swear it. Nae one here at Oliphant Castle will hurt them, and the defenses are second-to-none. Most of the passages have been blocked off.”
As they strolled down the corridor, he explained the castle’s defenses until she was certain no one would be able to sneak in to hurt Robbie the way the attackers had done in Scone.
She grew bolder. “Does this mean ye’ll be able to seek yer own bed?” she asked boldly. “Rather than keeping watch all night?”
He seemed…embarrassed, suddenly. At the bottom of the stairs, Craig rubbed the back of his neck, not meeting her eyes. “Aye, I thought…well, there’s a small chamber just there—” he nodded to a door. “’Twas used for servants, but it became a guest chamber in my great-grandda’s time, because he had so many children. If I stayed there, I could hear anyone coming…”
Her hand closed around his forearm, pulling it down, as she smiled softly. “And ye might finally have a good night’s sleep on a real bed. I understand, Craig. Ye deserve it. My bairns are safe here.”
He nodded mutely, his gaze on her lips.
Which parted, remembering the way he’d kissed her earlier that day. Remembering the throbbingneedbetween her legs, the way she’d pressed against him, desperation making her even bolder.
“Elspeth…” he whispered hoarsely, and she leaned in.
When their lips met, that desperation returned. She surged up on her toes, her arms snaking around his middle, trying to hold him in place. He wrapped himself around her, and for the first time in—inever, Elspeth felt truly protected.
Truly cared for.
When was the last time ye allowed someone to take care of ye?
He’d asked her that.
In his arms, she knew shewascared for.
She wanted this. She wantedhim.
As a widow, Elspeth had the freedom to take a lover, but had never seen a need. Even in court, where such things were common, she had avoided such entanglements…mainly for the sake of her son. She knew anyone who approachedherwas likely looking for power through Robbie.
But with this man…with Craig, she knew that wasn’t the case. Craig was simple, aye, but not stupid. Hedidcare for her, and for her children. Mayhap ‘twas just because she was anassignment from the King, like any other…but that, more than aught else, made her trust him more.
Craig wouldn’t hurt her. Wouldn’t hurt Robbie or the lassies. If he wanted her, ‘twas because ofher…and she knew he could give her pleasure.
Pleasure had never been a concern in her marriage to John, but with Craig… She wanted this.
She wantedhim.
“Craig,” she gasped when they came up for air. He pressed his forehead against hers, and she was content to justbreathe. “Come to my room.”
His response wasn’t nearly as immediate as she’d like. When she opened her eyes, ‘twas to see him watching her, a rueful grimace on his face.
“What?” she prompted. She expected him to ask if she was certain, if she truly knew her own mind.
But instead, he merely said, “Brigit will be there.”
Her first response wasThen I’ll send her away, but…but the reminder was a good one. Brigitwouldbe there, and while the woman had become something of a friend over the last two years since being assigned to Elspeth, she still represented the court, and intrigue, and the sorts of things which brought danger to Robbie.
Elspeth slowly straightened, her arms dropping away from Craig.
