It still itched and hurt occasionally, even after all these years. No one had seen his face since that day, not even Finlay.
His brother’s whistling preceded his entrance into the Great Hall. Caden choked on his own spit at the sight of his man-at-arms wearing the stable boy’s uniform; it was far too small to fit him.
“Ye look ridiculous,” he scoffed.
“That’s the point!” Finlay grinned and spread his arms wide to show off his outfit.
Caden felt the sudden urge to slap his brother upside the head, but he was too tired to get out of his chair.
Finlay’s face twisted into a frown when he saw his usual attire. “Are ye nae going to change?”
“Nay, of course nae.” Caden reeled back as if his brother had asked him to lick the bottom of his horse’s hoof.
At that moment, Ava and Nathan entered the hall. The little boy wore a giant tartan blanket, with holes cut into it for his head and arms. Other than that, he was covered from head to toe. If Ava notwere not carrying him, he would have definitely tripped on the overflowing fabric.
Caden resisted the urge to smile. He had to admit the boy looked endearing.
Then he turned to look at Ava, and had to do a double-take. His throat closed up. He could not breathe at the sight of her wearing one of his own tartans and his puff-sleeve white shirt. She had eschewed her corset, and the tartan only covered one half of her torso, leaving the other half covered by the thin white fabric of his shirt.
Possessiveness surged through him when he saw her wearing his clothes.
Finlay leaned over and whispered in his ear, “Breathe, Braither.”
Caden shot him a glare and raised his fist to punch him in the face.
CHAPTER 17
“Now, boys.”Ava’s sing-songy voice carried over the crackle of the fire. “Shall we get started?”
She gave a pointed look to Caden’s raised fist and then to Nathan. Her saccharine smile seemed to say,If ye dare start another fight and make the boy shrink back into himself, I will kill ye, and I will enjoy every second of it.
For the first time in her life, she saw Finlay look sheepish.
Caden quickly gave his brother a friendly shove and…
Oh God, is that a smile on the Masked Laird’s face?
Ava hated to admit it, but his smile was very attractive. It was a predatory smile, one that made her heart skip a beat. Still, the fact that he had not changed clothes had not escaped her notice.
Maybe he’ll tell a story? I doubt it. Oh God, he willnae stop looking at me.
Her skin prickled at the attention.
“All right, wee master. Are ye ready to hear a story?” Ava pulled the little boy and the giant blanket that swallowed him into her arms. She plopped down on the bear blanket and propped herself against the cushions.
“Ye go first,” Finlay suggested. “I cannae wait to hear what story ye’ll tell.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.
Ava peered at Caden to gauge his reaction. His stare could have frozen the loch outside.
“If ye insist.” She rolled her eyes.
An idea formed in her mind. She should not… but she decided to push fate and her husband’s patience a little more.
“Once upon a time, there was a bunny who had white fur but purple ears. Now, the bunny lived in a burrow with other bunnies who were afraid of him. The bunny was cold and distant. See, he felt insecure about his ears, and because of that, he didnae talk to any of his bunny friends or family about it.”
Ava talked to Nathan and pointedly did not look at Caden. She could hear the strangled noise he made, though. She could also hear Finlay trying to hold in his laughter.
Nathan looked at her wide-eyed, clearly not getting who the story was truly about.
