Page 21 of Kilty By Association
She was already walking more steadily, but made no move to pull away as they strolled further away from the stream where the others had stopped. “I’m their mother. I cannae just…ceaseworrying.”
“I suppose that makes sense.” His fingers spread, until they were molded against her side, offering her support but also comfort and…well, his thumb was brushing against the outside of her breast, and he couldn’t make himself pull away.Mayhap a helm to deter impulsive kisses wasn’t what he needed; mayhap thick gloves to separate the touch of their skin would be better.“But…I would help share the burden, at least.”
When she glanced up at him, something he couldn’t identify lit her gaze, and his steps faltered. How far were they from the group? Enough that they wouldn’t be seen if he were to do somethingcompletelyinappropriate?
Damn the helm, and damn the gloves. He’d far rather no barriers came between them.
“Share the burden?” she asked in a small whisper.
“The bairns.” He caught himself, then swallowed. “I mean, I’m to protect ye, aye? Ye dinnae have to do it all yerself.”
She stood watching him for a long moment, her gaze flicking across his features as if looking for the lie. Then, “Craig…are ye saying this only because ye’ve been assigned to protect us?”
“Nay!” The word burst from his lips before he could stop it, and he winced at how desperate he’d sounded. “I mean…”
Fook. He lifted his head, glancing about.
They were far enough away that the party wouldn’t hear them, and Robbie was surrounded by loyal guards. Craig slid his hand down Elspeth’s side until he could grab her hand, and then, in two long strides, tugged her behind a thicket of brambles.
It wasn’t comfortable and itdefinitelywasn’t romantic, but they were hidden from the others.
“Craig?” she asked, watching him carefully.
His hand settled on her hip again, and the fingertips of the other were resting against her jaw before he realized how closely he was holding her.
“Elspeth, I’ve tried…” He hadn’t meant to say that in such a tortured voice. He swallowed. “The last fortnight, while we’ve ridden together and laughed together and shared stories…I’ve tried to forget how good ye tasted. I’ve tried to forget how perfectly we fit together.”
Her smile bloomed. “I thought we were talking about the bairns?”
“Ithought we were talking about being partners.”
Her gaze was on his lips. “Ah.” ‘Twas her turn to swallow. “I…’Tis been a long while since I had someone I could rely on.”
“Yer husband—"
“Wasnae a cruel man, but saw nae reason for us to have any kind of partnership.”
That took Craig aback. “But…ye were married?” In his family—in his world—marriage was about love and commitment and sharing the burdens of life. “Surely ye loved him.”
Her smile turned sad, and then her hands pressed against his chest, fingers curling around a fold of his shirt. “Our marriage was a political alliance, and I rarely saw him outside of when he came to my bed.”
The way her muscles tensed at those words—Craig doubted she even realized what she was doing. His fingertips trailed over her skin until he could cup the side of her head, his thumb stroking her cheek.
“Ye didnae enjoy those times?” he guessed.
And then cursed himself for asking such an intimate question when her expression shuttered.
“Ye dinnae have to—” he began, but she interrupted.
“I never wanted to be a mother,” she blurted, then her eyes fluttered closed on a wince. “I mean, I kenned I was unusual. But when other lassies were playing with dolls and pretending to set up house, I was riding across the fields, or playing barefoot in the streams.”
She opened her eyes, focusing on his chin. “I loved that feeling of freedom, and the day my uncle told me I was to be married to secure an alliance with one of his distant cousins, I felt as if my world was ending.”
Craig didn’t know what to say. This was…wayoutside his realm of knowledge. If the King’s Hunters had a handbook, this wouldn’t even be in one of the appendices.
But he would rather cut off his arm than cease this conversation, not if Elspeth needed him. So, he offered, “Ye’re a good mother, Elspeth.”
Brown eyes flicked to his, then away. “Thank ye,” she whispered. “When I came to terms with my lot in life, Idecided I’d be the best lady of Dungotit, the best mother I could be.”
