Page 20 of Kilty By Association
While it was sweet he’d askedher, Elspeth didn’t know the distances. So, she raised a brow in question to Craig.
The big man cocked his head, which pressed his temple against Mary’s downy hair—Elspeth’s heart gave a little lurch in response—and considered. Finally, in a low rumble, he said, “Aye, we have plenty of time this afternoon. Why no’ ride ahead, Robbie, and tell the men and Brigit we’ll stop for an hour?”
With a whoop—which caused the bairn to startle—Robbie kicked his horse forward. And Elspeth and Craig shared an indulgent smile.
It felt…as if they were partners, in some way. Mayhap just in the effort to safely escort her children to Dungotit, or mayhap something more.
It felt…Right.
By the timehe made the order to call for a rest, Craig could tell everyone in his care needed it. He watched carefully from atop his horse as first the men, then the others, began to dismount and stretch their legs.
The maid, Brigit, hopped down easily enough, as if she were used to riding, but her young charge—Elspeth’s daughter Katharine—threw herself onto the grass and spread her arms and legs as if trying to burrow her arse into the grass. Robbie’s knees buckled when he climbed out of the saddle, although Craig didn’t think anyone else noticed.
And Elspeth…
Lord love her, the woman looked exhausted. So exhausted, he didn’t think she could climb out of the saddle on her own.
So, Craig trotted over to where one of the other servants was stretching her legs and handed the wee bairn over. Mary had woken on their careful journey down to the valley but hadn’t fussed. Instead, she’d looked around with bright, curious eyes as Craig spoke to her as he’d seen her mother do, pointing out sights and explaining the world around him.
Even Elspeth had commented how calm her daughter had been with him, and he felt a fierce sort of pride that he’d been able to commune so well with Mary. Even now, as a nurse took the bairn, a spike of disappointment shot through him.
But Mary needed to be fed—not something he was willing to try yet—and her mother needed his help. So, he swung out of his saddle, nodded to both the guards and Robbie as he passed, and crossed to stand beside Elspeth.
The poor woman looked utterly wrung out. She just sat in her saddle, her shoulders slumped, and her fingers curled around the reins.
“Come now,” he urged softly, coaxing her down. “Ye need to work the kinks out of yer back, aye?”
“I…dinnae think I can,” she finally admitted.
“Of course ye can.” He lifted his hands, an unconscious movement. “Trust me. I’ll keep ye safe, Elspeth.”
He hadn’t meant the vow to emerge sounding quite so…somber. Her warm eyes held his for a long moment, and then she just sort of…toppled sideways. Into his arms.
His muscles tensed as he grabbed her, but when he lifted her, she was giggling, and his heart eased.
“Ye frightened me, lass,” he grumbled, rearranging her in his arms so she could place her feet on the dirt.
But when she did, her legs gave out, and had he not been holding her, she might’ve fallen.
“I love riding,” she groaned, clutching his arm, “but I’m just sotired.”
“Aye,” he chuckled, switching his hold on her so he could turn her away from the others. “Ye havenae been sleeping well since we’ve begun camping—tossing and turning.”
It had been three nights since they’d last slept in a real bed, and he was looking forward to taking her and her family to Oliphant Castle for some rest. But she was looking at him strangely.
“Ye watched me sleep?”
It didn’tsoundaccusatory, but Craig hesitated. “’Tis my job to keep watch. I see the way ye fuss over yer lassies, and—”
“Katharine could sleep through the Apocalypse, I believe.”
He smiled as he began to walk, his arm around her waist so she could lean on him. “I noticed. Ye just like to fuss then?”
“I’m…worried about them.”
Her head was inches from his. How hard would it be to bend slightly and brush a kiss across her forehead? Even though he’d at first felt exposed at his decision to not wear his fierce helmet – everyone here knew him already, anyway – he’d discovered he rather enjoyed the feeling of freedom that came from leaving the reminder of his duty dangling from his saddle. But at this exact moment, he wasn’t sure if wearing it – and using it as a barrier between himself and temptation in the form of Lady Sinclair – wouldn’t be a better plan.
“Dinnae fash.” His throat was suddenly thick with emotion he couldn’t name. “’Tismyjob to worry about them.Yejust rest.”
