“My thoughts, exactly,” he agreed.“They are sending venison stew for Hamish, and he should have a measure as well.”
“Of course,” Leila agreed.“Go and sit with your father by the fire.I shall manage it all.”
“Thank you.”
Leila smiled then hastened up the stairs to fetch his flask.Fergus watched her, liking her reliability as much as her practicality, then joined his father.The fire was wonderfully warm and after embracing his father, he stretched out his hands to the blaze.
“There is more than one way for a man to warm himself,” his father teased.
“You will have your grandson soon enough, Father.”
“I am old,” his father complained good-naturedly.“I have earned the right to be impatient.”
They chuckled together as Leila came back down the stairs.She poured Fergus a cup ofeau-de-vie, then carried the flask to the kitchens after insisting upon Fergus remaining where he was.She orchestrated all exactly as he would have done, and he liked that their thoughts were as one.
He sipped of the liquid and it sent a welcome heat through him.Indeed, he caught his breath at the vigor of it, then recalled Leila’s words.
“What does she mean, I yet have measure ofeau-de-vie?”he asked his father, belatedly realizing what she had said.“Have you been indulging in it?”
“Nay, not me.”Calum grinned that Fergus was mystified.“By all accounts, Lady Leila encouraged Nellie to walk again today and has won the avid support of Farquar in so doing.”
“And what has that to do with myeau-de-vie?”
“I believe it was part of the solution.”
Fergus pursed his lips.“They say it has the power to raise the dead.”
His father scoffed.“Not that.It merely proves if a man is dead.If he fails to cough or respond when that is poured down his throat, there is no point in wasting more.Nay, Lady Leila used it to clean the hoof of the plow horse, from what I am told.”
“They do use it in medicines in the east,” Fergus recalled.
“Aye, and she seems to know much of it.Your wife has been busy this day, my son.”Calum nodded with approval, drinking the last mouthful of wine.“I like her well, Fergus.You could have done much worse.”
“Indeed,” Fergus agreed.
“How fares Isobel?”
“She is married and pregnant,” Fergus replied.“And perhaps less than I remembered her to be.”
“Perhaps less than you wanted her to be.”Their gazes met for a moment of understanding.“Do not blame yourself.I thought she had more merit in those days, as well.There was no one more shocked than me when we heard of the wedding.”His father patted his arm just as Leila reappeared, then directed the boys who carried buckets of steaming water to the solar.“Do not sacrifice the gem in pursuit of the glimmer, Fergus.”
“Nay, I will not be such a fool as that.”Fergus smiled and clasped his father’s hand tightly.“My father, you see, taught me what is of import in this life.”
Calum chuckled contentedly and pointed to the solar above.Fergus laughed at his teasing, but he rose and bade his father good night.He took the stairs three at a time, determined to show Leila his newfound appreciation of her and her charms.
There wassomething different about Fergus.Leila noted immediately the glow in his eyes and tasted the heat in his kiss.She could not name the cause, but she cared less for the reason than the change itself.He regarded her as if she was a marvel, as if she was the sole woman he desired, and his expression made her heart thunder.
What had happened this day?Perhaps they had defeated some peril on their journey, one that had made his return all the sweeter.Leila wondered if he would ever confide it in her.She scarcely dared to hope that Isobel had proven herself to be unworthy.Nay, Fergus would love a woman forever once his heart was surrendered.
Leila was desperately curious, but she reminded herself sternly to accept what she was granted and not be greedy for more.
To have Fergus intent upon her had been her dream.Demanding the reason for his newfound attention might dismiss it, and Leila did not intend to risk that.
He followed her to the solar much sooner than she had anticipated, and the boys hurried to fill the tub.A steaming bowl of stew and a cup of ale had been brought from the kitchens for Fergus and awaited him.Leila was still lighting candles and coaxing the coals in the brazier to burn with greater enthusiasm when her husband appeared.
Though her mouth went dry at the sight of him in the portal, she spoke quickly.“I fear all is not yet prepared, my lord.”
“Where is Agnes?”
