Page 40 of Kilty By Association
His grin widened enthusiastically as he pumped Robbie’s hand, although he had to tuck the book under one arm to do so.
His wife, on the other hand, was tall and regal, and lookedevery inch the powerful lady. She sneered down her nose at everything and everyone, including Elspeth.
But the woman Craig loved didn’t allow that to stop her. Instead, and to Craig’s surprise, she turned to gesture to him, inviting him into the conversation.
“Roger, Agnes, allow me to introduce ye to Craig Oliphant, one of the King’s Hunters His Majesty assigned to protect us.”
He was certain, from the way her sister-in-law scowled, he wasn’t the only one to hear the admiration in Elspeth’s tone.
“Milord,” he offered with a bow. “Milady.”
“That isLaird Sinclair,” Agnes snapped.
Craig couldn’t let that pass, so he raised a good-natured brow. “Ye’re in charge of a clan?” he asked the little man, who was flipping through his book again.
“No’ yet,” his wife snapped, before Roger could even look up. “But my husband is a great man, and his worth will be recognized.”
Craig could practicallyhearDrummond’s voice in his head.Ask questions. Learn more about them. They will let something slip.
So, he rocked back on his heels, seeming at ease, even as he sent Robbie a reassuring grin. “I have nae doubt of that, milord.” He nodded to the man’s book. “And ye’ve brought yer book to dine, I see. Can I ask what topic is so fascinating?”
It was the correct question. Roger Sinclair beamed in excitement, snapping the rare object shut. “’Tis one of Isadore of Seville’s editions of hisEtymologies!Are ye an academic man, Sir Hunter? Ye must sit beside me at dinner and we can discuss.”
Craig chuckled. “Nay, but thank ye milord. I must watch over my charges.” He was merely the bodyguard. “I just wondered if ye have more books, and where ye keep them.”
“Oh, when we’re here at Dungotit, my books stay in the solar, arranged out of danger. When we travel to my wife’s home, they are in special trunks—”
“Ye travel with yer books?” Craig interrupted.
The other man burst into delighted laughter. “Of course! Books are the most important thing in the world! Would ye like to hear how this one was made? I paid quite a lot for it.”
Good Lord in Heaven. Either Roger Sinclair was very,verygood at seeming, or he really was one of the least likely suspects Craig had come across. Even his wife was rolling her eyes at how intent the little man was on his books.
So, Craig turned to her, sharing a sympathetic smile. “I’m certain he didnae mean books are more important thanye, milady.”
“And I am certain hedid,” she sniffed. “Although why I’m bothering conversing with a mere bodyguard, I dinnae ken. Ye may call meLady Agnes. My father was Laird MacBeth.”
Craig felt his lips twitch. “I’m sorry, ye mean to say ye’reLady MacBeth?”
“Aye,” she sniffed haughtily again. If she looked any further down her nose at him, she’d tip over backward. “Why?”
His grin grew. “Och, nae reason. And ye’re conversing with a mere bodyguard,Lady Agnes, because dinner hasnae been served.”
Before the woman could respond, Elspeth slid up beside him. He could see her smile was false, but he doubted the others could. “Ye’re speaking with him, Agnes, because he is a King’s Hunter, a representative of His Majesty, and worthy of respect.”
“Is he?” the tall woman sneered. “He seems rather more muscles than brain.”
Craig, thinking how Drum would encourage this, jumped at the chance to burst into idiotic laughter. “That’s right, Lady Agatha, nae worries about me talking books with yer husband, eh?”
She muttered, “Agatha? Ha! The dobber likely cannae even read,” as she turned away.
When Elspeth sent Craig a confused look, hewilledher to understand. Better these people underestimated him than think him a real threat.
Luckily, after studying his expression for a few moments, her own cleared, and she cleared her throat before turning back to her brother-in-law.
“Roger, dear, please do join us for dinner. Craig, ye’ll sit beside the Earl, of course.”
It took a moment for Craig to remember Robbie was “the Earl,” and right about the time that settled in—and the fact she wasinviting him to dine with the family—Agnes screeched.
