Arran frowned, his wee brow furrowed. "But what if he grows angry, like Da did?" he asked, fear threading his small voice.
Maisie shook her head, her gaze never wavering. "Nay, lad, Caiden is strong, aye. His heart beats with care, nae cruelty."
She let her words linger, then smiled faintly. "Would ye do somethin' for me, Arran? Will ye give yer uncle a chance to show ye the man he truly is? Perhaps simply say good mornin' to him sometime."
The boy chewed his lip, thinking long for one so young. At last, he nodded slowly, resolve brightening in his eyes. "Aye."
Her throat tightened, and she bent to press a kiss upon his hair. "That's all I ask, me sweet lad. Just try yer best."
Arran slipped his arms round her neck sudden and fierce, squeezing her in a hug that near toppled her. Maisie laughed softly, holding him close for a long breath, her heart swelling at his trust. Then, with the suddenness of a child's whim, he wriggled free and dashed off to join Hugh.
Maisie sat back upon the bench, her spirit light, whispering a prayer that Caiden would soon see the gift she had coaxed from the boy's heart.
Maisie moved to the garden bench and sat with Norah, the boys' laughter drifting faint from the paths.
"Norah, I'm glad ye have a moment to rest," she began softly, "I ken ye have long days takin' care of these two."
Norah's eyes warmed, and she gave a slow nod. "Aye, I do, but ye helped, Maisie. I thank ye for takin' time to speak with wee Arran. He's a good-hearted lad, but there's fear in him yet, and ye've lightened it some."
Maisie leaned closer, touched by the words. "I could see the shadows in his wee eyes, aye. He shouldnae have to carry such a weight at his age. Tell me, Norah, why does he fear so deeply? Why does the thought of his own father chill him so?"
Norah sighed, her shoulders heaving, and her gaze fell to her lap. "Ye've a right to ken it, Maisie. Me husband, Brian… Caiden's younger brother. He was nae the man ye'd wish a bairn to look up to. He was cruel, both with words and hands, to me and to the lads."
Maisie's breath caught, her heart twisting at the thought. "Saints preserve us," she whispered, her brow furrowing. "I had nae kent of that. To think ye bore such pain in silence… Norah, I'm so very sorry." She reached to squeeze the woman's hand, offering comfort in the only way she could.
Norah gave a faint smile, weary but grateful for the touch. "It near broke me, aye, but Caiden found out. He wouldnae stand by and watch his brother do such black deeds. He cast Brian out, and I've nae seen him since. Every coin that feeds us, every roof beam above our heads, it's Caiden's providin'."
Maisie blinked, her chest heaving with surprise. "Caiden did that? Then all the village tales, the whispers of him bein' hard and cold… They daenae see the man he truly is. He saved ye, Norah. He saved yer lads from growin' under a father's cruel hand."
Norah's voice softened, filled with quiet conviction. "He did, aye. He is stern, but I ken him different. He has a heart fierce in its guardin'. He protects, even when none thank him for it." Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
Maisie drew in a deep breath, leaning back to steady her thoughts. "I'll nae forget what ye've told me. It changes how I see him entirely. Nae a cold man, but one who carries the weight of others' wrongs. I'm glad Arran kens he has such an uncle, even if he doesnae see it yet."
Norah nodded. "Aye, Arran will learn in time. The lad's heart is gentle, but he fears the likeness to his faither. He looks at Caiden and sees the shadow of Brian. Yet if ye guide him, Maisie, if ye help him see the difference, he'll find trust again."
Maisie's lips curved in a tender smile, though her heart ached for the boy. "I'll do what I can, Norah. I gave him my word that Caiden's nae the same as the man who hurt ye. He listened, bless him, though I ken it'll take patience. He promised me he'd try."
Norah's eyes glistened, hope flickering in them. "Then he's already on the path. It means more than I can say, Maisie, to hear ye've taken such care for me bairn's soul. Ye've done in oneafternoon what I've prayed months for." She squeezed Maisie's hand in earnest.
Maisie swallowed the lump in her throat, humbled. "It's nae but a wee step, but it's a start. And it makes me glad to ken Caiden's heart better. Mayhap the lad's trust will mend."
"Aye," Norah said.
Maisie let her hand rest warmly over Norah's, feeling the kinship that had blossomed. "And I'll never cease to admire ye, Norah, for the strength ye've shown. Nae many women could endure what ye did and still rise to smile at their bairns. But ye've done it, and they're better for it."
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Later at supper that night, Maisie sat stiffly at the long table, the clatter of spoons and the low hum of conversation drifting about her like a fog.
"Try this wine, 'tis delicious. I will miss it when I go home." Isabelle leaned close, her eyes bright as she spoke of her upcoming journey back to Connelly lands, her words full of excitement and plans.
Maisie took the wine and nodded in approval. "Aye, it is."
Norah listened with equal interest, nodding and chiming in where she could. Maisie forced herself to nod as well, but her gaze wandered again and again to the far side of the hall where Caiden sat.
He looked magnificent beneath the torchlight, his dark hair falling in careless waves about his shoulders, his jaw set firm as he listened to the men beside him. Maisie's heart thudded ashis eyes lifted suddenly and found hers across the room. Every instinct urged her to look away, to hide the longing that burned in her face, yet she held his gaze with a small, tremulous smile. Her chest swelled with courage, though her fingers twisted in her lap beneath the tablecloth.
Just as warmth began to bloom between them, Maisie watched the maid Tilly bend down beside Caiden with a platter of roasted meat. Her laughter was soft and throaty, the kind of sound that made Maisie's skin prickle with ire. The woman leaned far too close, her bodice dipping low as she whispered something near his ear.
