“Are ye going to marry that lass?” asked Robbie as he reached Callum’s side.
Callum sighed. “I should, shouldnae I.”
“Aye, and I dinnae understand why ye are so slow to do something. The lass loves ye, if that is what holds ye back.”
“And just how do ye ken that?”
“She is with ye. She is nay a wanton lass yet she is your lover. Ye give her no hint of how ye feel about her yet she stays. And then there is the way she looks at ye.”
“Oh.”
“Of course, lately, she has a sad look when she looks at ye. I think she is starting to wonder if she is wasting her time.”
“I have seen it,” he whispered. “I dinnae ken what to do about it.”
“Say something. Speak your heart to her. Ye best do it soon or ye will find she is gone.”
Callum knew that was true. He could almost see it coming. What he was not sure of was whether he had the courage to speak the kind of words that would stop it.
* * *
Bethoc pulled Margaret away from the boys and went to the horses when she saw that Callum was ready to leave. Callum held the child until Bethoc had mounted and gotten settled then handed her the child. Once he mounted they started on their way. Despite her efforts not to, Bethoc felt her eyes sting with tears. This part of her life was over and she had to accept it. Laurel and Robbie would care well for the boys, she knew, and only felt sorry that she would now see little of them. She made a silent promise that she would not allow them to lose touch.
“I am sorry about Robbie,” she said, suddenly realizing that Callum had lost someone who had been at his side since he had been a child, someone who knew what he had suffered, had shared that horror. “He willnae come back to Whytemont now.”
“Nay. And, aye, ’tis something that saddens me, but I am also verra happy for him. He has found the life he wants,” Callum said, and smiled at her. “That is nae small thing.”
“Nay, it isnae. Laurel loves him.”
“Good. That’s good. Robbie deserves it.”
“He does. And Colin and Bean are pleased. They ken they are too young to live alone at the house, that they would be easy prey for anyone thinking to take it, and, I think, they like the promise of being part of a family again.”
“And by the time Robbie is finished they will have a verra fine house indeed.”
Bethoc laughed and nodded. They fell into an easy silence yet she caught him sneaking looks at her often enough to make her a little nervous. She wondered if Robbie and Laurel’s announcement had made him think about their own situation. It would be wonderful if it had but she forced herself not to hope. He had had weeks to do or say something to change their situation and had not. Bethoc would not allow herself to think that he would do so now.
The sun was almost down when they crossed onto MacMillan lands. Callum asked if Bethoc could ride a little farther for Whytemont was only an hour or two away and she agreed even though her backside was already numb. But with the choice of sleeping outside or in a nice soft bed, she was more than willing to endure another hour or so on a horse.
When Whytemont finally came into view, Bethoc would have done a dance for joy if she was not so uncertain her legs would actually hold her up when she finally tried to stand on them. She waited until Callum took Margaret then slowly dismounted, clinging to the saddle when her feet touched the ground for she knew her legs would fold if she tried to have them carry her weight. The boy who had come to take her horse was fighting a grin. She scowled at him and he looked away, although she doubted he ceased to be amused. Then Callum clasped her hand gripping the saddle horn and wrapped his arm around her waist.
“Come along, lass, I will get ye inside,” he said.
“What about Margaret?”
“She is with the lads. They will watch her for now.” Since she had begun to walk properly, if very slowly, Callum simply hooked his arm through hers to lead her up to his bedchamber.
Once inside his room he nudged her toward the bed but noticed she made no move to sit on it. Callum called a maid and ordered a bath for her. Bethoc opened her mouth to protest then shut it. A hot bath was just what she needed. She would apologize later for causing the women so much extra work. As the bath arrived and was being filled, Callum knelt at her feet and unlaced her boots. When he stood up and began to unlace her gown, she placed her hands over his to halt him as she looked for the maids, only to find them now gone.
“I can undress myself,” she said, and frowned at him when he grinned.
“Now, allow a poor mon to help prepare his lass for her bath.” He nudged her hands out of the way and took her gown off. “I am going to take care of ye.”
Bethoc thought on protesting again but gave it up. Considering all that had passed between them a show of modesty now would be foolish. She also wanted desperately to get into that bath. When he tossed the last of her clothing aside, he helped her into the tub. She quickly sank beneath the water and sighed with pleasure as the warmth surrounded her. Closing her eyes she let that warmth work its magic on all her aches and pains.
Her eyes flew open when Callum stepped into the tub. The man had shed his clothes quickly. He grinned as he arranged his body around hers. Bethoc narrowed her eyes and, beneath the water, reached out to tickle his foot. She grinned as he yelped and gave an involuntary laugh then pulled his feet back until his legs were bent with his knees nearly up to his chin.
“Evil lass,” he said, and gathered up the washing cloth, dipping a corner of it into the pot of soap. “Turn round and I will wash your back then ye can do mine.”
