Page 51 of Kilty By Association
“She’s dead.”
Craig exhaled. “Ye’re certain?”
Elspeth’s son hummed. “I dinnae think humans are meant to bend that way. Her head is twisted backward—cool!”
“Cool?” Elspeth murmured weakly, feeling herself sway as the events of the last few hours finally caught up. “Cool? What does that mean?”
Her son sent an unrepentant grin over his shoulder at her, then grinned. “’Tis the opposite of hot.”
“Come away from that window,” she managed, as Brigit placed a hand on her back and murmured, “Milady?”
Everything had gone all blurry. “I dinnae feel…”
Brigit shoved a glass of water into her hand and Elspeth drank, the cool water refreshing her.
And then Craig was there, scooping her into his arms. “Elspeth! Elspeth, love, look at me. Ye’re all white.”
Swallowing, Elspeth forced her attention on the man watching her with such worry.
“Craig?”
“Robbie’s safe, love.” His voice was raspy, as if he were having difficulty speaking. “Ye’re safe. I’ve got ye.”
Her hand rose to cup his cheek. “Craig,” she repeated, as if she could make herself understand what was going on by focusing on his presence.
“I’m so fooking proud of ye, Elspeth.”
“Robbie?” His arms cradled her so gently, she thought she might fall asleep right here and now.
“He’s safe. Lad, get away from that window!”
“I’m aright, Mother.” A small, warm presence at her side told Elspeth he was back, but she couldn’t tear her gaze away from Craig.
“Thank ye,” she whispered, her thumb caressing the place where his beard gave way to skin. “Ye saved him.”
His grin was a little lop-sided. “I was going to take her back to Scone.”
Suddenly, Roger’s voice broke through her daze. “Agnes isdead?”
Craig turned to the desk, taking Elspeth with him, so they could all stare at the little man, who was standing now behind the desk, shaking his head as he collected scrolls. The Hunter cleared his throat.
“Milord, yer wife murdered yer brother and attempted to murder yer nephew, the rightful Earl of Dungotit.”
Roger was stacking the scrolls in his opposite arm now. “Horrible. Just horrible. If only she’daskedme, I would’ve said I didnae want the responsibility! Think of thepaperwork!”
Elspeth pushed herself upright, already feeling better for the cool water and Craig’s support.
“Women will do aught for their children, Roger. Mayhap she did it for Simon, no’ ye.”
“Simon?” Roger’s chin jerked up and he blinked as if tryingto remember who Simon was. “Simon? Simon doesnae want to be Earl of Dungotit either!”
“Are ye certain, milord?” Brigit asked in a surprisingly gentle tone.
“Certain? Of course I’m certain! We’ve spread the rumor the lad’s fostering in the Lowlands, but actually, he’s a mummer!”
“A…mummer?” Elspeth murmured.
“A member of a traveling troupe of players,” Roger explained, in case his audience didn’t know what a mummer was. “His juggling talents are really quite remarkable!”
