Page 15 of A Wife for the Highland Wolf
“One silver.” Murdoch handed over the money, and the maid sauntered away.
“Ye dinnae need to do that.” Lydia said.
“And if I wished to?” He met her eyes, and was surprised when Lydia blushed, a shy smile on her face.
“Then, I’ll say nay more than thank ye. For the sweet, and for the rescue.” Her hand touched lightly on his. “I was a wee bit indignant to be treated like a damsel in distress, but I cannae deny it was impressive, what ye did. And convincin' them to leave without hurtin' more than their pride or riskin' damage to the tavern - tis kind of ye.”
The scone and the ale arrived then, and Lydia withdrew her hand to finish the meal. Murdoch had barely finished his own food when she offered him a bite of the scone. “Ye should try this.”
“I got it for ye.”
“And I’m offerin' ye a bite, as a thank ye for yer courtesy.” She smiled coyly at him. “Ye should accept with grace when a lady offers ye a token of gratitude, or affection.”
“If ye say so.” He took a bite of the scone. It was sweet, the cream and honey melting in his mouth. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten something like it. “Tis good enough, I suppose.”
The rest of the repast was spent in silence, and within the candle-mark, they were back on the road. Still Murdoch couldn’t help tasting the honey and cream on his tongue, even as Lydia’s words lingered in his mind.
She’d called him kind, and thanked him, despite the fact that his discourtesy had put her in an uncomfortable position. She’d even called him ‘courteous’. And she’d hinted at some sort of affection for him, even if she had little cause to feel that way.
How long had it been since a woman other than his cousin had given him any of those, much less all three?
Lochlann Castle was slightly larger and sturdier than the castle Isobel and Alex had claimed as their home, but Lydia couldn’t help thinking that the structure looked slightly foreboding. However, she was sure that was merely a figment of her imagination.
She kept Hector close as they passed through the gate and entered the courtyard. The sounds of guards practicing filled her ears, but her eyes were drawn to the main doors of the castle.
Murdoch was already dismounting. There were two women waiting by the doors, one of whom was holding a bairn who appeared to be barely a year or so in age. Lydia wondered if the child was his son, or the child of other kin. Perhaps the woman was a maid who’d come to speak to the laird about something and happened to have her bairn with her. For the first time,Lydia wondered about how the common folk of Clan Lochlann lived, and what they thought of their laird. She’d only ever heard about Laird Lochlann, his late wife and the bairn they’d supposedly had together, as well as the rumors of what had happened to the woman. The stories were worrying, to be sure, but she knew as well as anyone that rumors often left out critical information, even when they were accurate.
The carriage rolled to a stop and Alex’s man-at-arms helped her down from her seat. Hector jumped down lightly beside her.
She’d scarcely turned to her betrothed to ask for an introduction when the younger, unencumbered woman lunged forward and caught her in a tight embrace. “Welcome to Lochlann Castle! Tis good to meet ye!”
The woman stepped back to look her in the eyes, her wide smile so warm that Lydia felt a smile of her own blossom on her face. “I’m Wilma Nairn, Laird Lochlann’s younger cousin, and I think we’re destined to be great friends, ye and I.”
The servants came to gather her things from the carriage, while Wilma led her over to the others, Hector pacing along at her side. “Ye’ve met me cousin, Murdoch Nairn, Laird of Lochlann Clan, and this adorable wee lad…” She took the bairn from the other woman and smiled into his chubby face as he burbled adorably at her. “…this fine bairn is me nephew and Murdoch’s son, Finn.”
“He’s a fair handsome child.” Lydia smiled and held out her hand to the bairn. Finn grabbed her finger and made sounds that seemed to indicate approval, if his smile was anything to go by.
Beside her, Hector barked softly, his tail beginning to wave from side to side. Wilma smiled and crouched so he could sniff the bairn. “Finn, this is Lady Lydia’s companion…”
“Hector. He’s me loyal defender.” Lydia settled her hand on Hector’s shoulder, ready to pull him back if she needed to.
“Hector.” Wilma addressed the bairn in her arms with mock seriousness. “Ye’ll likely see a fair lot of him, so be kind to him.” She turned to the dog. “And ye, be gentle with the wee bairn, for he’s nae used to such large, furry creatures as of yet.”
Finn giggled and reached out a chubby fist to grab Hector’s fur. Hector barked again, a much gentler, softer sound. The wagging of his tail sped up. He snuffled the lad, then licked his face with a quick swipe of his tongue. Finn shrieked with delight.
Wilma laughed. “It looks as if yer guard and me wee nephew are destined to be great friends as well.”
“Aye. If I dinnae ken better, I’d say I’ve lost Hector to Finn already, for he looks fair smitten with the lad.”
She’d forgotten that Hector was one of the few dogs who could be trusted around abandoned or orphaned newborn animals; kittens and pups without mothers, or foals in need of extra care.Hector had willingly taken on the role of watchdog and caretaker for many of them. Small wonder he’d be so taken with the young bairn.
They stood there for a few moments, until Finn offered a sudden look of distress and emanated an acrid scent that made it clear his nappy was in need of changing. Wilma gave Lydia an apologetic smile. “Och, I need to see to the lad, but I promise we’ll talk more later. In the meantime, me cousin can show ye to yer rooms. I trust he’ll be a gentleman about it, but if he isnae, ye’ve only to let me ken. I’ll be more than happy to spike his mead with something that will make his guts grumble for a good long while.”
She gave Murdoch a glare, to which he responded with a smirk and a raised eyebrow. Then, with a final smile in Lydia’s direction, she carried Finn inside, followed by the maid, who most likely served as the bairn’s caretaker when she was unavailable.
Murdoch lifted a hand to the still-open doors and bowed slightly. “If ye will, me Lady.”
Lydia followed him inside, one hand on Hector’s head as the large dog padded along beside her. She knew her faithful guard wasn’t likely to misbehave, but it was comforting to have him close by.
