Page 29 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds
She was surprised that Broc appeared at her side. “May I?” he asked as he reached for her waist.
“My thanks to you, Broc.”
He lifted her down with a wide grin, showing off his beautiful smile. Broc was fine-looking, but he didn’t send her heart aflutter like her future husband would do someday.
“What brings you here, Eva? More archery? I think Dyna is still in the great hall.”
“That, and I’m interested in borrowing a book. Do you have any available?”
“Och, many for you to choose from. And I believe Dyna brought a few of my grandmother’s picture books she used to tell the bairns stories. I doubt she would let you borrow them because they are treasured by many, but Maitland and Dyna both love to read, so there are numerous books inside. Just leave a note if you borrow one. As I said, Dyna is inside. Maitland’s parents are here so there are more meetings going on. Probably where they all are at present, but she’ll be about.”
“Where do they keep the books?”
“In the tower room in a bookcase. Maeve is probably there with wee Grant.”
“My thanks, Broc. I’ll look for Maeve or Dyna.”
Eva strode inside, nearly grumbling to herself because she could tell Broc had no interest in her at all. Broc was a cousin to Dyna and Alasdair but was unmarried.
Who was she going to marry?
She headed into the keep, surprised to see the hall empty, but she could hear voices in the solar, so she went down the passageway to the tower room and knocked on the door.
“Enter, please,” a child’s voice answered.
Lia sat on a stool next to a cradle where the bairn slept soundly.
“Greetings, Lia. Is Maeve here?”
“She stepped out to the garderobe. I’m watching over Grant.”
She glanced past Lia and noticed the bookcase behind her. “May I look at the books?”
“Of course. Maeve brought several with her. She loves to read.”
Eva stepped over to the books, her finger running down their spines, loving the feel of each tome. She didn’t recognize any titles but pulled out one to look at it. After studying a few, she nearly jumped because Grant woke up with a loud bellow.
“He has quite a voice for one so small,” Eva said, walking toward him. “Are you going to pick him up?”
“I’m not allowed to lift him without Maeve or Maitland present. You’ll have to do it.” Lia stepped back and pointed to the cradle, two tiny fists waving in the air.
“Oh, I cannot. I’ve never picked up a baby.” She peeked in at the wriggling bundle, still surprised at the tenor of his yells.
“You must pick him up, Eva. I’ll help you. The only thing you have to worry about is his neck. You must support it, though he’s pretty strong at this point. He’s a sweet laddie, and I’m sure he’ll grin at you once you lift him into your arms.”
Eva could barely hear Lia’s words because Grant’s cries were so loud and frantic. “All right. I’ll try.”
“Put one hand under his head and the other underneath his bottom, then lift. It’s quite simple, actually.”
Eva did what Lia asked and as soon as she lifted the bairn, Grant stopped his hollering and his eyes locked on hers. “Well, greetings to you, my dear.”
She held him in front of her, wondering what she was to do next. She glanced over at Lia for help.
“Tuck him into the bend of your elbow and hold him close. His head will rest on the curve of your arm.”
“Like so?” She did her best and the boy finally settled against her, a grin widening on his face and a fist going into his mouth. “Oh my, does it taste good?”
He giggled and kicked his feet.
