Page 26 of Kilty By Association
Wren nodded. “My mama can see ghosts. There’s dozens.”
Dozens?
Elspeth turned a skeptical look toward Lady Wynda, who shrugged ruefully. “Every generation or so, there’s an Oliphant lassluckyenough to see the Oliphant ghosts. This time ‘tis me. I have to put up with their complaints and occasionally…their demands.”
This last part was said with a meaningful smile at her husband, over their daughter’s head. From Pherson’s smirk, Elspeth knew there was a story there.
“What do the ghosts want?” Robbie asked, a little hesitant.
The falconer took up the story. “Some of them just want to share their story. Some just want to cause trouble.”
“Be annoying,” Wren corrected, poking her potatoes.
“And some,” Wynda began, eyes sparkling with excitement, “are sending messages. The Ghostly Drummer of Oliphant Castle has been heard for generations by thosedoooomed…to fall in love!”
Robbie had shrunk down in his chair at the worddooooom, but now glanced at Elspeth. Beneath the table, she squeezed his hand. Partly telling him ghosts didn’t exist, and partly telling him she would protect him, if they did.
It was Katharine who scoffed. “Fall in love? That’s stupid. I don’t wanna fall in love!”
With a straight face, Wynda nodded as she picked up her wine glass. “Then ye had best stay snug in yer bed in the nursery tonight, and no’ venture out.” She lowered her voicemysteriously. “Who kens what might be waiting to jump out and fall in love with ye?”
Elspeth hid her smile as her daughter made gagging noises. Doughall was correct; Lady Wynda Oliphantwasbrilliant.
That evening, Craig escorted them up the stairs. “This is the nursery,” he told the children. “Mary is already asleep in there, along with yer nurse, so there’s to be nae sneaking out to explore the passages, aye?”
Since this last command was directed to Katharine, her lower lip plumped out. “But I wanna see them!”
“I’ll take ye exploring tomorrow, I vow it.” To everyone’s surprise, the large man lowered himself to one knee in front of Elspeth’s tiny daughter. “’Tis my job to protect ye, sweet, and there’s many dangers in the passages. Ye must promise me ye’ll no’ venture into them without me.”
Katharine was eying him warily. “If I promise to wait until ye take me, can we go tomorrow?”
“Right after we break our fast,” Craig swore, pressing his palm to his chest.
“And can I wear yer helm?”
Craig’s eyebrows jerked upward like two startled caterpillars.
“Why?”
“I want to look scary.”
Craig shot Elspeth a worried look. She widened her eyes in a noncommittal way. He was on his own for this one.
He cleared his throat. “Er, nay. ‘Tis no’ something a bairn should wear.”
Katharine’s own brows snapped together in a gesture of displeasure Elspeth knew only too well. The bargaining was about to begin.
“Then can I have a sword?”
Elspeth watched as Craig’s shoulders tensed, obviouslyuncertain how to answer this request. Robbie, whose hand Elspeth still held, glanced up at her with a smirk.
Finally, the Hunter cleared his throat and promised, “A knife. A small one.”
Somberly, Katharine stuck out her hand. “Ye have a deal.”
When he shook her hand, it looked as if Craig was worried about breaking it. But after, Katharine threw herself into his arms with a big smile and planted a kiss on his cheek.
He looked dazed when she straightened. “Goodnight, Craig. Love ye. Love ye, Mama. No’ ye, Robbie, ye’re annoying.”
