Belatedly, he realized the whole family were staring at him as if waiting for some kind of response. The roaring of blood in his ears, which started when Lady Esme first entered the room, had grown louder still when she conversed with him. Whilst imprisoned by her brilliant blue eyes, he had answered her questions. But as soon as she turned back toward her family, he had lost himself in the past.
Lady Esme put her hands on her slim hips and frowned.
“The idea displeases you, sir?”
Adam’s opinion was rarely called upon at Kielder Castle. He was accustomed to receiving orders and acting upon them. Anyone who had spent time around the great warlord, Rory Baine, knew that it was safer to keep one’s opinion to oneself.
Wearily, he rubbed a hand across his brow. “I beg your pardon, milady.”
She lifted her chin. “What do you say? Aye or nay?”
Callum passed his bairn to a servant before joining their little group by the window.
He had grown contented since Adam saw him last. With a beautiful wife and strong, healthy children. And a home filled with laughter and lively conversation.
I should not have come.
“My good man, you are not obliged to remain here as personal guard to Esme whilst I am away. Though I know my sister-in-law is a hard woman to refuse.”
Adam lowered his head, resting his gaze on his worn leather boots which were coated with dust from the road.
Did he wish to return to Kielder Castle? To the backstabbing and constant air of acrimony?
Nay, I do not.
Did he wish to stay here, to be tormented by memories of Clara?
Nay, I do not.
Adam’s life had been dictated by the whims of others since his youth. He had long since stopped attempting to wield control over the tides of fate.
“Whatever pleases you most, milord,” he said. “’Tis little difference to me.”
He heard Callum puff out a breath. From the corner of his eye, he saw him shake his head to restrain Esme’s celebration.
“Come now, Adam. We do not stand on ceremony here. Moreover, you have never addressed me as milord. There is no call to begin. But I see we have placed you in an impossible situation. Let us retire to the solar and discuss the matter without further interruption.”
Adam lifted his head. As ever, the gaze of Rory’s only son was unflinching and honest.
Callum offered his hand, and Adam realized it would be churlish to refuse it. He allowed the younger man to haul him to his feet, feeling again the deep ache in his calf muscles.
“Thank you,” he said gruffly.
Callum clapped an arm around his shoulders and turned them both in the direction of the solar.
“I shall bring in some wine.” Callum’s bride smiled warmly.
When he first caught sight of her, Adam had been taken aback by Frida’s waterfall of silvery hair. But now he saw that her face was that of a younger woman. Her eyes were bright, and her movements were quick and light.
Callum is fortunate indeed.
They tramped together across the wooden floor. Adam was relieved to enter the solar and hear the squeak of the door closing behind them.
“Sit.” Callum flung himself down into a tapestried armchair and indicated a comfortable-looking couch opposite. The room was long, narrow and flooded with light from a large window. A writing desk and matching chair were pulled up by the window, as if to make best use of the light. “Frida’s brother, Jonah, likes to sit in here and write,” Callum explained, nodding toward the desk.
Adam had no response to this. He was overly conscious of his travel-stained clothing and the impeccably clean furnishings. He had washed his hands upon entering Ember Hall but would havepaid more attention to his ablutions had he realized he would be spending so much time with the family.
Though Callum had always treated him like family. And Adam had once thought of Callum as the little brother he never had.
