Page 54 of Kilty By Association
Well, yes. And she apparently carried knives in her sleeves, which she could throw.
‘Tis likely she saved Robbie’s life today.
That was true. She was more than a maidservant, wasn’t she?
“Whoareye?” Elspeth finally managed.
Brigit burst into laughter, then darted forward to pull Robbie from her grasp. “Come along, laddie. Let’s go check to see if there’s any buns leftover from breakfast. Then we can go poke a corpse.”
Her son, rather than being disgusted, brightened. “Cool!” he blurted, as Brigit led him out into the corridor.
“I dinnae think that means what ye think that means,” came the other woman’s words drifting back to the solar.
And then Elspeth was alone with Craig, who was staring down at her, eyes uncertain.
She stepped closer. “What is it?”
He blew out a breath as one hand settled hesitantly on her hip, as if he wasn’t sure how she’d respond. “Elspeth… I dinnae understand what yer maid was saying. Why is she here?”
“It seems she was sent by Their Majesties to ensure I fall in love with a good man.”
Somethingflashed across his expression, too quickly to identify. “And have ye?”
Both her hands rose to cup his cheeks. “I loveye, Craig Oliphant.” As he sucked in a breath and his eyes went wide, she felt her smile grow. “I love yer strength and yer compassion and yer heart. I love how seriously ye protect us, because we mean something to ye.”
His other hand snaked around her, his large fingers spreading to cover her back, making her feel warm and cherished. “Ye mean the world to me, Elspeth,” he growled.
“Ye once gave up everything ye kenned—yer talents, yer family, yer home—to become a Hunter.”
“I believed ‘twas the right thing to do.”
His gaze was so tortured, as if he didn’t understand what she meant. Well, she could help with that. “Would ye consider doing it again? Giving up yer role as the King’s Hunter, in order to becomemyHunter? A husband? A father?”
Was it her imagination, or had his eyes become a bit watery? “I’d like naught better,” he rasped.
She tugged him down, while stretching up on her toes. “We’ve been ordered to marry, Craig, by the King himself.”
“Well…” His lips were inches from hers. “I am the King’s loyal Hunter.”
When he finally—finally—claimed her as his own, Elspeth felt the laugh burbling up in her chest. They were safe, thanks to Craig, and he loved her as much as she loved him.
Aye, the future was looking beautiful.
Epilogue
Craig pacedin front of the chapel, his stomach a roil of nerves.
As the groom, it had been his job to welcome the guests—as few as there were—and the priest. But now they were in there, waiting for the wedding, and he was out here…just waiting.
Waiting for his life to begin, it felt like.
He was nervous, aye, but not about what he was ready to do. He was nervous because, in spite of everything, in spite of Elspeth’s assurances, he still couldn’t believe someone as wonderful, as regal, as full of life asherwas willing to tie herself to someone like him.
Craig knew he was no genius, but she never made him feel less than perfect, which was remarkable.
Trust yerself. Drummond had told him that.
Well…Craig stopped and forced himself to take a deep breath. Well, hedid.
