Eve collapsed against Alinor’s neck with laughter. Conall had never seen her so happy. Here in Ronan’s hut, surrounded by a smiling Eve, his brother, too many animals, and plenty of food and warmth, Conall had to admit that he hadn’t seen himself this happy, likely since he and Duncan were lads.
He wanted to stay at the cottage in the vale forever, just like this. It was perfect. He didn’t want to return to his town, to once more don the mantle of responsibility the MacKerrick was forced to wear. Conall could recall in an instant the burden, the guilt, the turmoil that had plagued him since his father’s death.
It will be different when you return, though, he told himself.No more famine, no more illness, no more want. You will bring them Eve and the bairn, and they bring with them peace.
Eve’s voice drew Conall out of his own head.
“How long do you stay, Duncan?”
“Ah, well.” Duncan dropped his eyes to make a show of scraping his bowl, but he glanced surreptitiously at Conall. “I’ll start out on the morn, missus. Someone has to keep watch over the town while me brother takes advantage of pretty lasses.”
Conall stilled at Duncan’s stinging remark, but to his great relief, Eve actuallygiggled.
She looked to Conall. “Is it time, too, MacKerrick, for us to journey to your home? We could accompany Duncan in the morn.”
Conall froze again. He’d not expected Eve towantto go to the MacKerrick town and was now at a loss for why they should not. Thankfully, Duncan rescued him.
“Oh, you doona want to come now, missus,” he said solemnly, shaking his head.
“I don’t?” Eve blinked. “Why not?”
“The place is a shambles,” he said simply, taking the last bite of his supper. Duncan held up a finger while he chewed then swallowed. “From the winter. The whole of the town is shoddy-looking, littered with animal bones and great piles of dung, not to mention the drunks and ne’er-do-wells in the streets.” Duncan gave an exaggerated shudder. “I doona want to go back, meself.”
“What Duncan means,” Conall said, “is that our people are proud. They would never forgive me if I was to bring my new wife to town without giving the folk time to prepare…to prepare you a proper welcome.”
It was mostly true.
“Spot-on.” Duncan clicked his tongue and winked at Eve.
“I see,” she said and relaxed visibly. Conall suspected she had been more nervous than she let on about meeting his clan, and that only worked to his advantage. “Of course, I do not wish to offend them upon our first encounter.”
“Oy! I’ve an idea!” Duncan said dramatically.
Conall made a mental note to chastise his brother for his over-the-top antics.
“Why do you nae bring the missus for the solstice feast? We’ll be in foine form then, for certain.”
“But that’s…” Eve broke off and Conall could see that she was trying to calculate the time in her head. “Forgive me, I can’t seem to recall what month it is—but surely the solstice is two months out?”
“’Tis nae that long, Eve,” Conall assured her.
Duncan nodded. “Only a few weeks, missus.” He snapped his fingers. “But a blink.”
“Oh.” Eve looked down at her belly and then turned worried eyes to Conall. “I won’t be too…ungainlyto make the journey then?”
Conall smiled at her, so innocent. “You’ll be fine. The exercise and fresh air will do you good.”
Her eyebrows rose haughtily, and ’twas then that Conall remembered that she was a titled lady. “Are you implying that I’ll be plump, sir?”
“Why, ye right bastard,” Duncan exclaimed, and then turned a humble countenance to Eve. “You’ll be slim as a whip still, missus. But if you tire on the trail, just send for me and I’ll carry you to town on me back. I’d nae have me sister so abused.”
Eve’s smile was so sweet it roused Conall’s desire for her. He tried to stamp out the sizzle of jealousy he felt at his wife looking at his brother so gratefully.
“Thank you, Duncan. I will,” she promised, and then stuck her pert tongue out at Conall.
Duncan rose and stretched, giving a great, obvious yawn. “’Tis to the pen I go. I’ll likely set out at dawn,” he said and then gave Eve an elaborate bow. “Sleep well, missus. I thank you for the hospitality you’ve shown me.”
Eve started to roll to her feet and Duncan reached her before Conall could so much as stand, the spry little bastard. Duncan took Eve’s elbow gently while Conall frowned.
