Page 35 of Kilty By Association
“And to me.”
Elspeth’s stepshastened when she saw Craig’s red head bent over her son’s. What had happened? Was Robbie hurt?
She hefted Mary higher on her hip and wished her other arm wasn’t burdened with the basket of food so she might gather up her skirts and run. But before she’d crossed the square, Craig straightened and stepped back from Robbie, and Elspeth could see her son’s brave smile, so she slowed.
Trying to get her heart under control, she watched the man move his hands to Robbie’s shoulders, watched him speak intently. Her son nodded a few times and even replied.
When Craig dropped his hands, Robbie seemed to stand taller.
By the time she arrived, both stood in mirrored poses, and she had to admit…her son looked very much like the man he would someday become.
Wisely, she chose not to mention the evidence of tears on his cheeks. Tears which had threatened her own cheeks when she’d realized Craig was comforting her lad. Robbie needed a man like—
Nay, dinnae think it. ‘Twill only hurt more when Craig returns to Scone.
So, plastering a bright smile on her face, she held up the basket. “Coira told me the meadow on the north side of the castle is empty, and Fen packed us some luncheon. I thought we might enjoy a picnic—Where is Katharine?”
Her sudden registering of her daughter’s absence immediately made her picture all sorts of trouble she might be into. Her attempts to whirl about to look for the girl were stopped when a chuckling Craig lifted Mary from her arms and settled her against his shoulder.
“Hello, sweet one. Kat is dallying with yonder coo.”
“Coo? What coo—oh,” Elspeth breathed in relief, having seen her daughter talking to the shaggy beast.
Robbie stepped up to take the basket. “Ye thought we lost her, did ye no’?Ooof,did Lady Fen pack us rock cakes?”
Craig scooped the basket as well, without any of the trouble Elspeth had juggling both loads. “Laddie, go fetch yer sister. We’ll have her wash her hands at the well afore we reach the meadow.”
And Elspeth had to admit she was impressed he’d remembered the hand-washing.
The meadow really was lovely, parts of it planted, parts of it growing wild with heather and wildflowers…and the part nearest the castle, where they settled, was shorn by a peaceful herd of sheep making their leisurely way eastward.
“’Tis a popular gathering place,” Craig explained, laying out the blanket Fen had helpfully included. He sent her a wink. “Popular for trysting, as well.”
Before Elspeth could decide how to respond to that,Katharine bellowed, “I’m no’ hungry, I’m going to play with the sheep!”
Craig lunged for her, scooping her around the waist and throwing her over his shoulder before she could disappear. Elspeth had to smile.
“Ye will eat first,thenye may play. Lady Fen is a celebrated cook, as is her husband.”
Katharine was kicking, so Craig pretended to drop her, and her complaints turned to screams of excitement. Hurrying to lay out the food before her daughter lost interest, Elspeth marveled at how well Craig seemed to understand her children.
That was, until she looked up to see him whirling Katharine around by her ankles, her skirts up around her ears and her bare arse on display.
“Whatare ye doing?”
“Having fun.” Robbie sighed wistfully and Elspeth realized he was likely jealous.
“Da! Dadadada!” Mary was standing, clapping her hands and bouncing in that way bairns did as she watched the excitement. And Elspeth sighed, knowing she couldn’t stop the fun.
Besides, Craig stopped soon enough, dropping a dizzy Katharine on her bottom on the blanket. Noticing how Robbie was looking at him, he smiled at the lad. “Ready for a turn?”
Robbie lit up.
There was no other word for it; he lit up as if someone had offered him the Crown Jewels.
Craig was large enough to lift the lad and whirl him without any issue, and Elspeth’s hand went to her throat as she watched her son laughing like a normal lad. He had such littlefunin his life, and when he returned to Dungotit, his responsibilities would commence in earnest.
And what could she offer? More lessons? The occasional snuggle when he’d allow it?
