Page 6 of Kilty By Association
“I think ye’re a good man, Craig.”
He was correct; subterfuge wasnotone of his skills. Shock flicked across his face, which made her chuckles fight to emerge.
“I’m bad,” he croaked.
Patting the back of his hand, Elspeth raised her brow in challenge. “Are ye?”
“Verra bad.” He sounded as if he were strangling. “So bad.”
“I dinnae believe ye,” Elspeth announced with a smile. “I think ye might be quite good.”
And in that moment, she realized something: she was havingfun.
She was sitting in a hellhole of a tavern, likely in copious danger, bantering with a possibly-not-a-criminal, and wasenjoying herself. What would John have to say about that? What would Brigit?
Try to remember ye are a mother. Ye need to be a model for yer children.
Nay, that wasn’t something her maid would say. It sounded more like something the Queen might say, although Elspeth didn’t know Her Majesty well.
Mayhap ‘twas her own mind, spouting advice? Aye, sheshouldbe a role model for her children. But did that mean no fun? No laughter?
Mayhap ye can have the fun without the personal danger next time?
Aye, she was definitely in danger of laughing, which was completely inappropriate at a moment like this.
“Ohfook,” Craig muttered suddenly.
She gasped when he flipped her hand over, pinning it beneath his and twining her fingers through his. Elspeth looked up from their joined hands to see a panicked expression on his face.
“What—”
“I need ye,” he hissed. “Get over here now.”
The command was followed by a not-too-gentle tug on her hand, urging her around the table. Not understanding what was happening, Elspeth allowed herself to be pulled over to his bench.
“Craig, what are ye—”
“Pretend ye like me, lass,” he murmured, low and intense, as he arranged her on the bench. Nay, not on the bench; when he was through, she was all-but-draped across his lap. He was turned so his back and shoulder faced the tavern, while she—curled around him—could see the room.
“Craig!” She kept her voice low, but firm, as she did when scolding Katharine. “What is going on?”
Instead of answering, he arranged her arms around his shoulders. To a casual observer, they might appear to beembracing, but his bulk held her against the wall and she noticed her arms and cloak hid most of his features.
Worried now, she scanned the tavern, and saw the newcomers. They wore the regalia of the palace guards, although ‘twas impossible to tell if they were there on duty. Their gazes swept the room, and Craig wasn’t the only one who was doing his best to hide his face from them.
Was he a wanted man, then? What other reason could there be for him trying so hard to not be recognized by the guards? Her heart was hammering against her ribs, and for the first time since stepping up to his table, Elspeth felt truly concerned.
“Craig?” she whispered, hating how wobbly her voice sounded.
His nose was only inches from hers, and she saw his eyes widen in understanding. His features softened, as did his hold on her.
“Och, lass, I am a sorry bastard, eh? I was thinking only of myself.” One hand remained on her hip, but the other rose to brush a stray hair away from her brow, tucking it beneath the cloak. “I’m the sort of arsehole ye need protecting from.”
His voice was so gentle, so at odds with his actions of a moment ago…
“’Tis my son who needs protecting.”
His gaze dropped to her lips. “Is he, now?” he murmured. “Are ye married, Elspeth?”
