Page 38 of Kilty By Association
Elspeth burst into laughter. “The castle? Ye’re speaking of Dungotit? ‘Tisnae cozy, that’s for certes!”
“Welcoming,” Robbie said quietly.
Craig glanced at the lad. “Aye, welcoming,” he agreed in an equally soft voice. When the lad looked up at him, he asked, “Areyehappy to be coming home?”
His young charge took a deep breath and switched his attention to the castle, then the village. Then he took a moment to sweep his gaze across the fields and the meadow and the forests on the mountain sides.
After a long moment, Robbie nodded. “I dinnae remember much, but…aye. Aye, I think I am. I’m ready to be the best earl I can be.”
On his other side, Elspeth made a sound halfway between a gasp and a sob, and without looking, Craig offered her his hand. He felt her grip it like a lifeline, as he smiled down at her son.
“I think ye’ll be the most remarkable earl Dungotit has seen.”
When Robbie looked up at him, his eyes shining with hope—and something else—Craig felt his heart squeeze. He’d meant those words, because hedidthink Robbie was a remarkable lad, and he’d grow to rule these lands with the strength and compassion needed.
Mayhap ye can help.
Aye. Craigknewhe was strong, knew his skills with a blade were adequate. But he considered himself compassionate as well, much to Drummond’s irritation, and he’d help Robbie grow into—
Wait.
Wait, hold.
He wasn’t going to help Robbie grow. He wasn’t going tobehere. Aye, when wee Mary called himDaand walked to him, or when Katharine demanded he carry her about on his shoulders, he felt a part of their lives. He loved them.
But that wasn’t enough.
He wasn’t part of the Earl of Dungotit’s life any more than he could be a part of Lady Elspeth’s life.
He was their bodyguard, naught else.
Then why is she holding on to ye as if ye mean something to her? Why does the thought of going to her bedchambers tonight—as she came to yers—make ye hard?
There was no future for them.
But…
As they rode through the village and heard the Sinclairs celebrating the return of their earl…as they passed into the bailey and saw the servants lined up to excitedly welcome the family home…as Craig tipped his head back and admired the fortifications and the welcoming flags…
Well, for the first time in a long while, Craig realized hewanteda future someplace. Dungotit Castle could be home, if given the chance.
But he also understood that the castle wasn’t what made this place a home.
‘Twas Elspeth and Robbie and Katharine and even the bairn, Mary.
Since he saw no threats, he turned his focus on the woman at his side. She grinned at him and squeezed his hand once before dropping it.
And he told himself ‘twas as it should be. He was her guard,nother comfort. ‘Twas right and good that she distance herself from him now they were at Dungotit. ‘Twould make it easier to slide into the shadows and protect Robbie from whatever threat was coming.
Aye, dinnae forget yerself, Craig. Ye’re a blacksmith-turned-bodyguard. Ye dinnae belong in a place like this, nor with a lady like her.
But once he’d swung out of the saddle, Elspeth sent him a smile and held out her arms, asking for help down.
Heknewher capable of climbing on and off a horse. But…she’d become used to him helping her. And Craig, God help him, adored the chance to put his hands on her.
So instead of distancing himself, as was smart, he lifted her down. And with her boots firmly planted on the hard-packed dirt of the courtyard, Elspeth placed her arm atop his, offering him the honor of escorting the lady of the castle home once more.
He suspected he was the only one who could tell she was trembling.
