Page 13 of A Merry MacNaughton
“He what?”
“He kissed me.”
His mother grinned. “Did he now? Weel, that’s promising. Did ye enjoy it?”
She nodded. “Ye are no’ angry with either of us?”
“Lass, I’ve seen people marry without laying eyes on each other until they’re before the minister. Yer clan has a respectable reason for the union, and I ken my eldest. He doesna steal kisses under his mother’s nose. There’s a spark between the two of ye. It’s time he found a wife and gave us grandchildren.”
“I would think he has plenty of lasses to choose from within yer own clan.”
“Aye, but none have tempted him to marriage or even a serious flirtation.” She placed a palm on Peigi’s cheek. “What if ye enjoy yer visit with us and let destiny decide? Take the time to ken Calum as a man and no’ a solution to yer problem.”
It was good advice. Perhaps this handsome-as-sin man would steal her heart as well as her breath.
“In the meantime, let’s take a look at that injury.”
Enidtskedandmumbled as she poked at the swollen knee. She bent the patient’s leg up and down. “She smacked it good, she did, but I dinna think it is cracked.” She turned to the maid. “Colleen, get a bowl of snow and several cloths for bandages. That will help with the pain until I get a nice tea and compress ready for ye.”
“My humble apology for putting ye out.” Peigi was mortified that she had not only caused such a scene earlier, but now she was also an invalid in need of tending.
“I’m happy to do it for Malachi’s daughter. I nursed yer father, too, and he was fine, by the by.” The cook pulled Peigi’s shift down and patted her cheek. “Ye’ll recover soon enough, but stay off that leg for several days.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Peigi smiled thankfully at the plump woman. “I’m sorry I missed yer biscuits. I heard from a verra good source they are the best in Scotland.”
“Weel, I suppose some could appear on a plate next to yer tea. We canna have a guest going hungry.” She pushed her round form off the tall mattresses. “I have a reputation to maintain.”
“Thank ye for taking care of me. I’m no’ used to being on the receiving side. I ken ye must be busy.”
“Getting the Scotch buns ready for the great morning. I’m sure yer cook at home is doing the same.”
She leaned back against the pillows and closed her eyes. There would be no sweet treats at Castle Craigg this year. Exhaustion overcame her. It had been a long and trying day. What would tomorrow bring?
Calum ignored thesmirks of his brothers. He poured himself a swallow of whisky and faced them with a challenging air. “Do yer best, I’m ready.”
Silence.
“Get it out, I ken ye want to enjoy this moment.”
Silence.
“What in the bloody hell are ye waiting for?”
Malachi cleared his throat. “We’re waiting to see if ye’ll accept my gift, so I can clear my debt afore the new year.”
“Ye were serious about giving me yer daughter?”
“There are circumstances ye need to be aware of, reasons why I would make such an offer.” Malachi tipped back his head and finished off his liquor. “It seems Lord Fulton has taken a liking to Peigi.”
This surprised him. “So ye prefer a Scot to an English nobleman?” He glanced at his father, who stared into his own amber liquid.
“I prefer marriage to an…arrangement.”
Anger burned in Calum’s belly. “He wanted to use her as a whore?”
Malachi nodded. “I thought this might be a better solution for her.”
“It’s rude to reject a man’s offer to settle his debt. I think ye should marry the girl. We’ll need to negotiate the details, but I believe the Craiggs are sincere in their wish to put aside the feud.” Angus nodded to his other two sons. “Finley could use some extra hands in North Carolina. We might as well employ Scots than strangers.”
