Page 119 of The Highlander's Auctioned Hellion
Amy and Eilis both giggled, and it was the most joyous sound.
“Nay! There is a big fire, and Raven is in there. The cook has sent up some pie for us all and some ham.”
Lydia’s stomach growled loudly, and Callum put an arm around her shoulder.
“Lead the way, girls, if there is any food left with that cat in the room, I will be amazed.”
Alexander followed behind as they made their way to the library, and Lydia settled down before the warm fire as Callum fetched her a blanket. As soon as he was certain she was comfortable, he walked back to the door where his man-at-arms hovered, waiting to speak with him.
“What word from McCarthy?” Callum asked, keeping his voice low.
“He has sent Moira to the convent. The girls arrived in a carriage just as ye said. He also sent this.”
Alexander pulled a sheaf of papers from his inner pocket. It was sealed with the McCarthy crest, and Alexander handed it over solemnly.
“What is this?” Callum asked.
“I believe it is a peace treaty.”
Callum stared at it, the paper feeling heavy in his grip, surprise skittering through him at this offering of solidarity from such an old enemy.
“I never believed I would receive one of these from McCarthy of all people. I dinnae think Moira will be too pleased to think of the Lawsons and the McCarthys as friends.”
Alexander’s gaze hardened. “Who cares what she thinks. She had her chance, and now her faither is forgin’ a better future for his clan without her bile taintin’ everythin’.”
Callum raised a hand, squeezing Alexander’s shoulder as he nodded.
“Ye should get some rest, ye must have been up half the night.”
“Aye, M’Laird. I was worried when ye didnae return, but it seems the threat is over now.”
“Aye,” Callum said. “Thank the heavens.”
They both turned to look at Lydia and the girls. Raven was nestled in her skirts, and the girls were feeding him tiny pieces of ham.
Lydia met Callum’s gaze and raised the slice of pie she was eating.
“Scotch pie,” she said with a broad smile, and Callum laughed.
“I kenned ye would like it.”
“Goodnight, M’Laird,” Alexander said with a short bow. “It’s good to have yer family back together.”
Callum watched him head back down the corridor, happiness spreading through him as he turned toward the scene before the fire.
Eilis and Amy were lying on the floor on their fronts, feeding the kitten, chatting happily to themselves.
Callum came inside and sat on an armchair behind Lydia. Without hesitation, she leaned back against his legs, finishing her pie and laughing as the kitten chased the crumbs that had fallen into the folds of her dress.
“Ye must be cold,” Callum said, brushing her hair. “Dae ye wish to change?”
Lydia nodded. “In a moment. The fire is warm, and I have everything I need right here.”
She took his hand, and they sat before the fire with the girls, quiet and content in their little world.
By the time they had finished playing with the kitten and Lydia and Callum had had their fill of food, the girls were fast asleep.
Raven had curled up in Amy’s hair, which was fanned out toward the fire, and as Lydia rose and bent to pick her up, neither of them stirred.
