The Kindling Heart (40 page)

Adopting his accent, she whispered. “Perhaps it can wait a wee bit longer, aye?”

He kissed her passionately before jumping out and upending the covers to roll her out of the bed once again. “No more of these wily ways! I’ve something to show ye.”

From the floor, she watched him dress hurriedly. She could not help but admire the man; he was the finest of specimens, in both body and heart.

He dropped her gown over her head.

“Ye have to be clothed for this surprise, lass,” he announced. “Stay here whilst I find it.”

Mildly curious, she slipped into her gown and waited.

Much had happened since returning to Dunvegan. Merry and Isobel had arrived shortly after. Merry was cheerful, and her mood had only improved upon hearing Fearghus had died a miserable death. The little girl had stood in the hall on the first evening to offer Bree and Ruan an official toast to their “forever, long-lasting, and truest of loves”.

Gone was her jealousy, never to return.

Dunvegan had brightened considerably by the day, in part due to the presence Jenna and her no longer nameless daughter, Morag, but there was still much to do. While she thought being The MacLeod suited Ruan, particularly well, she was uncomfortable with thinking herself the lady of the castle.

A knock at the door broke into her thoughts, and she smiled. “Yes, my love. I’m ready for your surprise.” She hopped on the bed and rolled on her back, playfully covering her face with her hands.

The door creaked open, soft footsteps approached.

“My wee lassie,” familiar soft tones whispered in the room.

Bree sat up. “Afraig!” She cried, launching herself at the tall, angular woman standing in front of Ruan.

“What a brawny, wee son ye have,” Cameron said. He lightly touched the tip of the infant’s nose as he lifted a mocking brow at Ruan. “And ye still say ye have naught?”

“Are ye jealous?” Ruan eyed the man.

Cameron tensed a little even as he smiled elegantly. “I’ve no desire for a bairn.”

Ruan laughed. “Aye, well, if ye insist, ye can be a wee bit jealous.”

Cameron handed the baby back, but something in the man’s face made Ruan pause.

“What is it, lad?” he scowled in concern.

“The King bids me to court,” the Earl replied in a distant voice.

It was not good news.

Ruan gave his friend a sympathetic look. “Mayhap ye should find a lass and wed her before ye go. Surely, there are a few ye fancy?”

“I would never curse someone I fancied with an untimely death! I’ve no desire to touch another lass for the remainder of my days.” The line of Cameron’s mouth tightened a fraction. “I’ve enough blood on my hands. I’ll nae wed again.”

Ruan said nothing. They both knew the chances of that were slim. Cameron was simply far too politically valuable to remain unwed.

“Forgive me,” The Earl said, and bowed. “This is a joyous occasion.”

“Nonsense,” Ruan protested, but they were interrupted by the arrival of Afraig and Isobel.

“’Tis time for the laddie to be fed,” Afraig said.

“’Tis too soon for that!” Isobel frowned. “He must be bathed.”

“Ach, after he is fed,” Afraig disagreed, reaching for the child in Ruan’s arms.

“I’ll have a say in what Ruan’s son needs,” Isobel almost growled, laying a possessive hand on the baby’s head.

“Bree’s son is quite famished,” Afraig said, glowering in return. She placed her fingers firmly on the child’s leg.

“Aye, but—” Isobel began, glaring outright.

“Be done, dearest of ladies,” Ruan interrupted, laughing at them both. “Shall we allow Bree to decide?”

They both snapped their mouths shut, having the grace to be embarrassed as Ruan bowed, leaving them in Cameron’s company. As he entered his private chambers, he saw Bree peering out the window.

Her expression made him hesitate.

“What is it,
mo ceisd
?” he finally asked, uncertain.

“The pipes ...” she said, craning her head forward.

He could hear the pipes below, mingling with the waves and the plaintive calling of the gulls.

“…And the heather on the hills ...” she continued, “…the amber bubbling burns, the ferns, and the silver birches ...”

Turning to face him, she stooped to kiss their son’s forehead before sliding her arms about his neck. “…the shining blue sea…the magic of this place,” she whispered. “I see now why you love it. This place
is
beautiful.”

“Aye,” Ruan agreed with a smile, but he was glancing down only at her and their son cradled between them. “Aye. ‘Tis this that truly is.”

Coming Soon:

Kate placed a protective hand over her expanding belly. She was noticeably rounder now. The bairn was a strong one, constantly kicking her through the night.

She stood in the courtyard, soaking up the sun while listening to the plaintive wailing of the gulls. It was an unusually warm day for winter. Dunvegan was peaceful; she’d spent over a month in its walls. The laird and his lady treated her with such kindness that she was beginning to hope she’d found a suitable home.

She tried not to think of the Earl, but he was always in her thoughts. She heaved an exasperated sigh. He’d probably already forgotten her existence. It hurt to admit it, but Lady Elsa was right. Such a powerful man would scarcely think twice of a simple maid.

Adopting a bright smile to mask the wretchedness she was feeling, she returned to the kitchens and snagged a platter of meat. “Add more,” she ordered the cook, pursing her lips in disapproval. “This is for the laird’s table!”

The man shook his head, but followed her bidding in a jovial manner. “Feeling a bit pert, are ye, lass? Ye must be feeling a mite better.”

“I’m feeling much better,” she said, with a sunny smile. She almost felt she belonged in the place. Another month and it would feel like home.

On her way to the hall, she met her aged aunt.

“Ach, be careful there, love,” Isobel warned, a smile crinkling her old face. “No need to exhaust yerself.”

“I’m well, auntie,” Kate sang cheerfully, ignoring the riotous rumblings of her stomach. Aye, this babe was proving difficult. It was still impossible to eat, and she was markedly thinner. At times, it was almost unbearable to bring the dishes from the kitchens, but she’d managed to control her nausea thus far. “Ach, ye wee one, you must help your mother, now.” She whispered fondly to her belly.

Dunvegan’s main hall bustled with preparations for the holidays. Several children played boisterously amongst the tables. She stumbled a little, lifting the platter over their heads as they sped past.

The laird of Dunvegan caught her arm, steadying her with a brotherly hand. “Ach, Kate, why don’t ye rest a spell?” he suggested. He smiled in kind concern before adopting a stern expression to shout after the lads, “Be watchful, ye wee hellions!”

“I’m well, my lord.” Kate dimpled a smile at the man.

He and his lady were exceedingly kind. Several times, the laird had pressed her to reveal the father of her bairn. She knew he only sought to defend her, and while she was grateful for his protectiveness, how could she betray the man she still loved? It mattered nothing that he’d forgotten her. She should have known it would end like this. He was an Earl, far beyond her reach. Her own foolish heart had landed her in this predicament.

Raising her chin resolutely, she wrinkled her nose a little at the smells drifting past. “There is no cause for your concern, my lord.”

One of the lads returned to whisper excitedly in Ruan’s ear.

“Here?” Ruan’s dark brows lifted in surprise. “Now?”

Kate turned away, fighting a wave of nausea. Placing the meat on the high table, she descended the steps carefully to the kitchens once again to wait for the goose. She chatted idly with the cook until it was finally ready and was pleased her stomach lurched only a little as she made her way back to the hall.

This time, Ruan was standing before the high table with his dark eyes focused upon a cloaked figure blocking her path. He clasped the man’s shoulder in a familiar manner as his face flooded with concern. “Ye look right awful, lad. What happened? Surely, ye’ve nae been wed again?”

The wave of nausea returned with vengeance.

Covering her mouth with a hand, Kate attempted to step around the newcomer to rid herself of the platter as soon as possible. A sudden waft of onions caused the bile to surge to her throat. Unable to stop herself, she dropped the goose and fell to her knees, retching violently.

She became aware of the man’s fine leather boots only after she had soiled them.

Horrified, she clutched her hands over her mouth, not knowing what to do.

“Kate?”

Oddly, the voice reminded her of Cameron.

“Kate?!”

Her mind went blank and then Cameron’s astonished face entered her field of vision.

“Kate! It
is
you!” he whispered, his face registering complete shock.

“What is this?” Ruan’s deep voice inserted itself. “Do ye know the lass, then?”

Ignoring him, Cameron slipped a hand under her arm and lifted her to her feet. “How can ye be here? I’ve been searching everywhere! Everywhere! I’ve been distraught!”

He did look awful, thinner, and grimmer. Dark stubble graced his chin. She’d never seen him so unkempt. However, even disheveled, he still exuded an air of grace. She shook her head with a wry smile. The man simply could not be anything but handsome, no matter what he did. Lady Elsa was his true match; they made an impressive couple.

“Kate!?” the Earl searched her face. “What happened? I’m at a loss how ye came to be here…of all places?”

Obviously, he hadn’t yet noticed her prominent belly. Instinctively, she shrank back, trying to make it smaller. It was silly. Her situation was far beyond hiding now. Her thoughts were a complete muddle and she was entirely unprepared for the sudden turn of events.

“Explain yourself, lad!” Ruan’s deep voice cut in. “Surely, ye canna be the one the lass is running from?”

“Running?” Cameron briefly glanced at him, mystified, before turning to Kate. “Running? Why—” he stopped abruptly as he spied the smooth curve of her belly. His eyes widened, “What is this?!”

Kate’s lassitude vanished. Drawing herself to her full height, almost reaching his shoulder, she replied fiercely, “’Tis no reason for ye to be distressed, my lord Earl!”

Clutching her belly possessively, she tried to bolt, but he blocked her with an easy arm.

“So…
this
is why… ye ran?” he asked, searching for words. He swallowed several times and then whispered, “Why didn’t ye tell me? This is nae cause for shame!”

“Surely…’tis nae…
your
bairn?” Ruan asked, astounded. His brows were in his hairline.

Kate gulped as tears filled her eyes.

What was she doing?

She simply never wept!

Tears were such a useless waste of time.

“Come, Kate.” Bree’s quiet voice filtered through the confusion. “Let’s find some of Isobel’s tea to settle the nausea.”

Gratefully, Kate latched onto the Lady of Dunvegan’s arm even as Cameron held out his hand to prevent her departure.

“Nay, lad,” Ruan said. Catching Cameron’s arm, he wheeled him about. “Kate is safe here. Let’s speak on this matter first. I never dreamt I’d be taking ye, of all men to walk the earth, to task over this!”

Following Bree, Kate scurried out of the hall.

To be continued …

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