Page 22 of Falling for Her Highland Steward
“Because it is not high enough,” the laird said simply.
Erin watched Caillen’s jaw tense, then his hands clenched into fists. She touched his shoulder, and he turned to look at her, then she saw the anger in his dark eyes fade away. She stepped in front of him and put out her hand to shake Laird Nugent’s. “We agree,” she said, smiling. “It is a fair price. I will have some carts sent over in the morning to pick up the grain.” Then she turned to Caillen and raised her eyebrows.
Caillen passed his hand over his eyes. He felt like an utter fool. “Forgive me, M’Laird,” he said ruefully, shaking his head. “That was inexcusable and will not happen again.”
Laird Nugent frowned for a moment then patted Caillen on the shoulder. “I have done exactly the same thing myself, my boy.” He chuckled. “Let us forget it, but do not let it happen again!” The last words were a warning.
The rest of their business was concluded quickly since Caillen seemed to have recovered his wits. Erin did little of the negotiating but intervened if she thought that there were going to be problems, or if there were flaws in the merchandise. In this way, there were no more incidents, and both sides were satisfied with the outcome.
“It was a pleasure to meet you, Master Johnstone,” Laird Nugent said pleasantly as he offered Caillen his hand. “I am sure we will see much more of each other in the future.”
“I hope so, M‘Laird.” Caillen shook the other man’s hand and bowed. “And next time, I will not act like a raving lunatic.”
“Away with you! We have all acted stupidly at some time,” he laughed, then he went to Erin, wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her cheek. “Let me know if there is anything you need, Erin. I am always here.”
“Thank you, Kenny. I will.” She climbed into the carriage, and they both waved goodbye.
“Another good man,” Caillen remarked thoughtfully as the carriage rolled away. It seemed that he was the only man who was not.
10
“You look as if something is on your mind,” Caillen said as he came into the study the next morning. Erin was looking out of the window yet again, her gaze far away as if looking into the past. She turned when she heard his voice.
Erin shook her head irritably, rousing herself from her reverie, which had not been a pleasant one. “Yes. I was thinking of Michael.” She turned her gaze on him, and he was struck once more by the stunning brightness of her green eyes. “I know he has been generous to you, as he has to me, but Michael never does such things out of the goodness of his heart. He always wants something in return. Has he not demanded something of you?” She looked at him expectantly.
“He is a complicated man,” Caillen answered, shrugging. “Perhaps he does not deal with everyone the same way. So far, he has asked nothing of me, and I owe him a lot, but I will pay him back anyway because he has helped me so much. I would not be where I am today without him.”
“It could be because I am a woman that he treats me differently,” Erin mused. “As you say, he is a complex person. I never know what he is thinking. Sometimes he looks at me in the strangest way, and it makes me extremely uncomfortable.” She leaned her head against the window and sighed, and once more, Caillen felt the urge to wrap his arms around her hand and have her nestled into his arms.
It was not passion or desire that motivated him this time, but the need to shelter her and protect her from all harm. After all, was this not why men had been created bigger and stronger than women? So that she could give birth and nurture their child while he kept danger away from her? He remembered feeling this way about his little sister and cousins, although what he felt for Erin had the added element of fierce desire in it.
Sensing him looking at her, Erin turned around to meet his gaze. She could have drowned in those deep, dark eyes. “Now it is my turn to ask what you are thinking.”
“Are you sure that Michael has no romantic notions about you?” Caillen asked, hoping that the answer would be no. “He is very fond of you.”
Erin smiled, shaking her head. “I am absolutely sure he does not. We are and have always been like brother and sister to each other. Put that idea right out of your mind, Caillen! If you want something to consider, think about our deal with Kenny.”
He laughed bitterly. “Yes, about our negotiation with Laird Nugent, which I almost ruined.” His face grew solemn. “I cannot believe I did that. I have never behaved that way in my life before, and not only did I almost lose us a lucrative trade, but I thoroughly embarrassed myself. The laird is indeed a very forgiving man.” He shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair in agitation.
“As Kenny said, we are all foolish sometimes, and perhaps it had something to do with the wine,” she said soothingly. Then Erin changed the subject abruptly. “I wonder how Stephen is enjoying himself? I miss him so much, but I am sure that he is having such a good time that he will not want to come home.” She looked sad but tried to laugh.
“I have seen Michael with children.” Caillen laughed. “You have nothing to worry about, Erin. They love him, but I know what you mean. Stephen is an adorable little boy, and I miss him too, but he will be back soon.”
“I think he will enjoy himself,” she replied thoughtfully, “he is very fond of Michael, and it will be a great learning experience for him. But if anything happens to my child…” Her thunderous face said the rest.
In fact, Stephen was living every little boy’s dream. With three boisterous playmates and half a dozen puppies, as well as a doting lady who cooked and baked heavenly sweets, he was the happiest little boy in the world.
When he ran into the kitchen one morning, his auntie Morag had just taken a batch of shortbread from the oven, and Stephen’s mouth watered as he gazed at it greedily.
“You make the best shortbread in the whole world, Auntie Morag,” he remarked, his voice full of mischief as he gazed at her in adoration.
The short, plump woman frowned at him, then gave him a playful shove. “Cupboard love!” she laughed. “Wait ’til it cools, you wee skellum!”
Stephen whooped with glee and scampered away to tell his cousins.
One day, Michael found him sitting by the well near his house, giggling while a very playful spotted puppy was jumping all over him. The little dog was licking Stephen’s face and wagging his tail so fast it was almost a blur.
When Michael sat down beside him, the puppy decided to transfer his affections to him instead, which made Stephen laugh even more. “Look, Uncle Michael!” he cried, beaming. “He loves you!”
