“Nature.”
“What about nature?”
“Nature is why, even if they have children, they will work to have children of their own blood. Nature demands that.”
“Not sure I like the idea of some unseen force making me do something.”
Belle laughed. “Sorry.”
“So you should be.” He pushed his empty plate aside. “Excellent, as always.”
“Thank you, kind sir.” She stood and picked up their plates to put them in the sink.
“I’ll get the dishes from the infirmary.” He grabbed the tray and left.
In the infirmary, he collected up the empty dishes. “Want me to rub your hand?” he asked Robbie.
Robbie pushed himself into a more seated position and nodded. “I have decided it is something that should be done every night. Should be able to do it myself soon.”
“So how does the leg feel after your attempt at swimming?”
“It did not make it hurt, not really. A hint of an ache, no more.”
“Good. I suspect ye will be doing a lot more of it.”
Robbie sighed and closed his eyes. “If it helps I will do it, don’t worry about it.”
“I wasnae worrying about it. But it will help if ye want it enough so we have your help in getting a place to swim set up nearer to home.”
“Sneaky,” Will said.
“Aye,” agreed Robbie. “It was, but I will use my poor battered body to get ye a place to swim.”
They talked about where they could make a swimming hole as Geordie massaged his brother’s hand. He stopped when it was obvious Robbie was going to sleep. Geordie cleaned off his hands and headed to the kitchen.
* * *
Belle scrubbed the roasting pan as hard as she could and finally decided it was as clean as it would ever be. She sighed. It was probably time to get a new one. She knew it was clean despite what marks remained, but if a guest saw it they might not. Belle decided she would find out what Auntie thought about it.
Wiping it off, she put it on top of the stove and then stared at it. Then two strong arms wrapped around her. Belle sighed again and leaned back against Geordie. She felt a soft kiss on the top of her head.
“That was a heavy sigh,” he said.
“Heavy decision to make.”
“Oh, aye?”
“Aye,” she said and briefly grinned up at him. “This pan is showing its age and I am trying to decide if it should be tossed out or if I should keep using it and hope I don’t get any very fussy guests who would be horrified by it.”
Geordie looked at the pan and shook his head. “I dinnae see any reason to throw it out. It is clean, just has a few cooking scars.”
“Cooking scars.” She laughed as she took the pan and shoved it into a cupboard. “Like that one.”
“Do ye really get guests that choosy?”
“Oh, yes. There is always someone who thinks they should be treated like royalty. Why they would think that, at what I charge for a bed, I don’t know.”
He put his arm around her shoulders and started to lead her out of the kitchen. “There are always people like that.” He grinned. “I am a bit surprised ye put up with it.”
