Page 41 of Kilty By Association
Well, she didn’t exactlyscreech—that was too simplistic of a description. Had Craig been forced to identify the sound the tall woman made, he would’ve said she sounded like a barn owl who’d just swooped down to lift a terrified little mouse, only to discover what he’d picked up was in fact a pissed-off ermine with a glandular problem and rabies.
Craig had to fight to keep from guffawing.
“Aye, Agnes?” Elspeth asked evenly. “Is aught amiss?”
“Ye expect me to dine with this—thisidiot?”
Elspeth didn’t blink. “Och, nay. Craig is invited to dine with myself and the Earl of Dungotit. Ye and yer husband are welcome to join us.”
Her smile was smooth and knowing, and Craig was so fooking proud of her he thought he might burst.
Agnes grabbed for her husband, who wasn’t paying attention. Nay, his nose was once more buried in his book. “Rogerhas been running Dungotit in the years ye thought it appropriate to run off to Scone.Hehas been acting as the Earl, as his father was, and has been training Simon!”
That’s right, Agnes and Roger had a son, didn’t they? He was fostering elsewhere, but interesting that Roger had been training the lad to become the Earl of Dungotit.
Elspeth’s smile turned chilly as she placed her hand onRobbie’s shoulder. “Then we owe Roger our thanks. He will be a valuable resource when it comes to teaching therightfulEarl how to care for Dungotit.”
With that, she turned and steered Robbie toward his chair at the head of the table.
And Craig had to resist the urge to applaud.
Instead, he took the stool she’d indicated and began tasting the dishes served to the lad, while keeping one eye on his dinner companions and one eye on the proceedings. This should have made him appear cross-eyed, but no one pointed it out.
‘Tis an honor to be invited to dine with her family.
Nay, nay. He was only here because she wanted to irritate Agnes.
Elspeth introduced ye as if ye were part of her family.
Nay—really? Had she?
Craig stole a glance at Elspeth, who seemed so regal now she was here at Dungotit. Where was the vivacious, teasing woman he’d fallen in love with?
She’s still there, ye dobber. She’s just play-acting for the sake of her in-laws.
Did the people of Dungotit know how wonderful she was?
He hoped so.
Elspeth Sinclair was a remarkable woman, the same as her children, and the world deserved to know her.
The way he did.
Chapter 9
Elspeth had never loved Scone.She’d never loved the court intrigue or the haughtiness or the constantly having to think about her appearance. She’d spent two years looking forward to getting back to the less formal Highlands.
And now that she was here, she missed…well, she didn’t miss Scone. She missed…the journey here. She missed how informal things had been. She missed riding with Craig and the children, pointing out the beauty around her, listening to their conversations.
Dungotit hadalwaysbeen more formal than her upbringing, but she hadn’t been surprised by that. In her years here, before John’s death—hismurder?—she’d worked to make it a home. Worked to make it feel cozy and comfortable.
But in two years away, it seemed that Agnes had changed that.
Elspeth hadn’t realized that by running to the safety of Scone, she was leaving Dungotit in the wrong hands. She’d had confidence in Roger’s ability to manage the day-to-day business of running a small earldom—but the castle itself?
‘Twas a different place these days.
The servants kept their heads bowed as they went about their duties. They didn’t speak above a whisper. The entire place felt…hushed, as if waiting for the next catastrophe. Brigit had frowned thoughtfully when she’d seen the way the servants had acted, and Elspeth had assured her this wasnotnormal.
