Page 43 of Kilty By Association
Not for the first time, Elspeth vowed that as soon as Robbie learned all he could from his Uncle Roger, she’d do everything in her power to convince the man to take his horrible wife back to her father’s home and livethere.
‘Twas Craig who came to Robbie’s defense, to her surprise. He leaned forward just enough to block Agnes’s view of the lad, and rumbled, “A growing boy needs exercise. ‘Tis no’ healthy to spend all day indoors peering at books.” He glanced at Roger. “Nae offense, milord.”
Agnes sneered at her husband, clearly hoping the manwouldtake offense, but Roger didn’t look up from his scroll as he absentmindedly lifted his goblet to his lips.
Elspeth’s grin grew. “Tomorrow then,” she announced happily. “Ye’ll join us, Sir Hunter?”
Craig met her eyes, andsomethingin his gaze burnedfiercely. “Aye, milady,” he rumbled, and Elspeth wondered if anyone else could hear the promise in his tone.
He’s just coming along to protect Robbie, remember?
But that didn’t stop her heart from squeezing happily in anticipation.
The next morning, she was awake before the sun, unable to contain her excitement. She dressed in her most comfortable gown—one Agnes would sneer at for its simplicity—and smallest slippers. She’d be removing them, after all, as soon as she climbed into the saddle; there was naught quite so freeing as feeling her toes curl around the stirrups as she rode.
In the stables, she was delighted to be greeted as an old friend.
“Lady Dungotit! ‘Tis good to have ye back. Ye’re taking yer mare out today, we’ve heard?”
News must travel fast through the castle. Unable to help her excited grin, Elspeth happily accepted help in preparing her mount. She gossiped and chatted with the stable hands, catching up on almost two years’ history.
In her old life, she’d ridden almost daily, and had people she considered friends here in the stable. ‘Twas good to think things hadn’t changed so much in this area of her world.
“Will ye be coming back more often now ye’re home?” the grizzled stable master asked.
“I shall be trying, Jock,” she assured him. “I need to spend a few fortnights getting things back to normal here at Dungotit, but after that…” After that, after she’d rebuilt a welcoming home for herself and her children, she’d be able to enjoy things she missed. Which included daily rides.
The old man scowled. “Och, well, things willnae benormalas long as Roger and his wife are running things, milady, if ye’ll excuse my forwardness.”
Elspeth stopped brushing her mare’s mane and looked over the animal’s neck at the older man. “What do you mean?”
“Imean, they’ve moved in and taken what rightfully belongs to the young master. They’re scheming to have Dungotit for their own, mark my words.”
Her brows rose. She’d had the same thought a few times, but ‘twas interesting to hear someone else say it. “Do ye have proof of this?”
He spat. “Nay, I cannae read, and I am no’ welcome in the great hall because I’ve made nae secret of my feelings about them. But they can do naught to me, so I’ve been safe.”
“Many have lost their positions in the castle because they spoke out against Roger?” Or more accurately,Agnes. Elspeth’s mood turned grim.
The stable master shrugged. “Aye, but I dinnae care. They’re scheming, mark my words. Ye keep a careful watch over the new Earl, aye? Having ye and Robbie and the bairns back means the world to us. Ye’re offering us hope.”
Elspeth felt her throat closing up with emotion. Gratitude, love, and aye, hope for the future. She offered Jock her hand, and as his callused fingers closed around hers, she gave him a brilliant smile.
“Here’s to the future.”
“Aye, milady. And thank ye.”
She was still grinning when Robbie and Craig joined her. The large man said little to her, but she couldn’t tell why he was distracted. Mayhap he just didn’t want to speak to her.
But the day was beautiful, the air was brisk, the sun was warm, and she was atop a horse again. A horse which couldrun.
“Race ye, Mother?” Robbie prompted as they reached the path to the loch. He didn’t give her a chance to respond, but whooped and kicked his horse’s sides, and was off like a shot.
Laughing with joy, Elspeth followed, with Craig thundering behind.
The three of them spent an enjoyable hour at the loch whiletheir horses munched on grass, walking along the shore and practicing skipping rocks.
Well, notthree.
