Page 16 of A Merry MacNaughton
“I think he wants ye to stop,” she laughed. “It seems we would make quite a duo on stage.”
“Only if we want the theater to ourselves.”
His mother hurried in, her golden eyes wide. “What is the matter? Are ye all right, child?” She put her hand on Peigi’s forehead. “Are ye in pain?”
With a chuckle, she pointed at Calum. “Yer son was showing me what a lovely singing voice he has.”
“I thought someone was dying. Sweet Jesu, Son, that was a ghastly sound.” She wagged a finger at him. “And that isno’his true ability. Angus has been looking for ye all afternoon. He and Malachi are making plans and need ye there.”
Calum realized the hour he’d planned to spend with Peigi had turned into an entire afternoon. A delightful afternoon. He stood, kissed his mother on the forehead, bent and did the same to his future wife, and left the room with a whistle on his lips.
Both men werein the study along with his brothers. Angus sat behind his desk as usual, sitting in the highbacked leather chair as if he were holding court.
“And where have ye been hiding?” he asked, one bushy red brow arched.
“With the future Mrs. MacNaughton.”Keep the smile off yer face, ye oaf.
“A wee bit of wooing, eh?” asked Hamish. “Is she willing or has it been hard work?”
“If agreeing to marry me is willing, then yes.”
Malachi beamed. “Good, good. It’s all coming together nicely. Yer father has been discussing the responsibilities the Craiggs could take over. Since we’re on the property, we can manage the herds and sheer the sheep.”
“The MacNaughtons are kent for weaving, but it’s hard for our lasses to keep up with spinning. The Craiggs have four wheels to supply the extra thread and yarn,” added Angus. “The men we sent to Fulton Manor can be better used here.”
“By this time next year, we should be able to purchase more.” He slapped Calum on the back. “Who’d have thought falling into the loch would bring me good luck?”
Chapter Seven
A Selfish Surrender
“What are yedoing? Put me down!” Peigi laughed as Calum swung her around the room. He had spent three consecutive afternoons with her, then returned after supper this evening. She’d surprised herself at her pleasure to see him again but was astounded when he plucked her from the bed.
“Ye said ye would sooner die than be stuck in this bed for another day. How can I be yer chivalrous knight if I allow ye to wither away and die of boredom?” He carried her out the door and down the steps. She gave up the struggle and wrapped her arms around his neck. The feel of his strong arms around her, his lips close to her ear whispering sweet words as they descended to the next floor, made her giddy. Joy and hope filled her for the first time in months.
“So ye’ll kidnap me instead? I’m warning ye, my clan has no ransom to pay.”
He kissed her soundly on the mouth. “That’s the only ransom I want.”
They entered the parlor to murmurs of surprise and greetings. He commanded Black Angus to wait at the door and entered the room. “She’s no’ feeble, just has a bad leg. So, I thought if the gathering couldna go to the lass, I’d bring the lass to the gathering.”
“Braw idea,” said Hamish. “We need to ken our new sister better.” He moved a chair close to the fire and swept his arm across it in a courtly gesture. “My lady, we are at yer service.”
A giggle escaped her throat. A giggle! When was the last time she had been carefree enough to do that?
The evening was spent too quickly. She listened to the brothers telling stories of one another, arguing with one’s version and another interrupting with his own. The affection between them was apparent and it made her long for siblings. But her mother had suffered a series of miscarriages and Peigi had been considered a miracle from heaven. They were authentic and open in their interest of her, and she could see in their eyes that they measured her.
“Can ye ride?” asked Hamish, the same deep blue eyes of his oldest brother pinning her. He was powerfully built, reminding her of a handsome, black bull or a smaller version of Calum. She could not imagine anything standing in his way once he was determined to hold his ground.
“Aye, saddles and bareback. It’s often easier to ask for a leg and just go when an urgent message comes in.” She laughed at the approval in his eyes.
“So ye race?”
“I could be persuaded.”
Finley cut in. “What kind of urgent message?” The middle brother was leaner built and taller but also well built with broad shoulders and muscular calves from hours in the saddle. His legs were spread out before him in an easy sprawl. But now he leaned forward to listen, an eager look in his lighter blue gaze.
“I tend the sick of my clan. I keep a small herb garden and have a room beside the kitchen.” She winked, in high spirits and feeling carefree. “But dinna ask me for a love potion, for I swore off mixing them long ago.”
