“Finn is here,” Ethne said, her tone outraged.
Uradech left, but his comment had the desired effect. She looked uncomfortable now.
Finn still cowered, so Lachlann bent close and said, “Show me yer fiercest scowl, bear.”
“Grrrrr.” Finn scowled and raised his hands, making his fingers like claws. “I’ll rip yer stomach out.”
Lachlann beamed. “A fine bear ye’d make.”
“And I’m a rich bear! So, I will rip out yer entrails and throw them into the water for the gulls.”
Lachlann fell back. Odd detail. Ethne’s shoulders had rounded again and that irked him. He would not have her so downtrodden. “Did ye wish to go to the gathering so soon?”
“I have no choice if Aidan is asking for me.”
Following orders was her life. She deserved much more. He said, “Tell me what ye would have me do. Shall I go to Aidan and make yer excuses?”
She laughed. “Ye sound as if I am a woman of great importance, declining an invitation. I am just their slave. I must follow what I’m told.”
“Ye should not be a slave. Malcolm is yer brother.” Lachlann’s ire rose at the wrongness of her situation, but he squeezed his jaw closed before he said too much.
“And ye see how much that matters to any of them.” She sighed, a defeated sound.
Finn came to sit in his lap, breaking the awkward silence. “We want to stay here.”
She turned a genuine smile on the boy, then on Lachlann. “I must go, but I need to see to the tub first.”
The large wooden barrel sat a few feet from the fire, several large wooden panels acting as a screen to block the bather from view and ward off any drafts. Domelch and Malcolm had made use of the tub, then offered it to Lachlann, Niall, and Aldred. No one had been as considerate to Ethne.
Lachlann said, “They have been remiss.”
“How so?”
“By not offering ye the use of the tub.”
Ethne sneered.
“Shall I watch Finn so ye may do so now?” he asked. “The babe is still asleep.”
Her face lit up with excitement, but just as quickly it faded. “I best not.”
Lachlann added the last bucket of hot water beside the fire to the tub. “I disagree.” He bowed low to her. “Yer tub awaits ye.”
Finn quickly accepted the hand he offered, and they went outside together, leaving her to her ablutions.
The gloaming was nearly upon them. The air was heavily scented from the large, yellow lily blossoms just opening. There was a chill in the air. Finn led him to the clearing farther down the path, and turned to him with a fierce scowl. He growled and crouched down, low and menacing.
“Are ye a bear attacking me?” Lachlann asked, appearing shocked right before ducking into a defensive posture himself.
Finn growled louder, his hands curled into claws. They paced each other in a small circle, the boy’s shortléinemaking it easy for him to move about, darting and retreating.
“I am a wealthy bear, and I’m here to rip yer throat apart,” the lad said.
A fair offense, Lachlann nodded. “And I’ll stop ye so ye canna hurt me or anyone I love.”
He raised his arm to ward off Finn, ignoring the minor tug at his wound. It was well on its way to healing. The boy understood and jumped at him, then rolled onto the ground, rebounding.
Trying not to smile, Lachlann surged ahead, a pretend dagger in his grip, but Finn was too fast, rolling away to land on his feet. Hunching forward, he advanced again. This time, Lachlann spun out of harm’s way. Turning about, he ducked low. Finn did the same, forgetting the growl as they acted out their attack and defense. The boy never tired, his gaze intent on his prey. When Lachlann shifted to one side then the other, Finn repeated the gesture, very quick on his feet. He lunged at Lachlann, who held the lad while they dropped to the ground. They rolled until Finn was on top, Lachlann allowing his attacker a fleeting moment of success.
