“Me lady!” A woman about her mother’s age stepped forward with a broad smile. “Welcome to Castle McMurphy! We’re so pleased to have ye!”
“Thank ye.” Iris managed a smile, surprised to find her voice steady. “I’m very happy to be here.”
It wasn’t entirely a lie. Surrounded by these warm, welcoming faces, she was beginning to feel something that might actually be happiness.
“She’s bonnier than we expected!” someone called out from the crowd, causing a wave of laughter.
“And she looks like she’s got some spine to her!” another voice added.
Elijah’s hand tightened slightly on her waist, and she caught what might have been amusement in his expression. They reached the high table, elevated on a platform so they could see and be seen by the entire hall. The table was set with the finest plates and goblets, decorated with late summer flowers and candles that cast everything in a warm, golden glow.
“Yer seat is here,” Elijah said, guiding her to the chair beside what would obviously be his—a larger, more ornate one, positioned at the center of the table.
As she moved to sit, she noticed they weren’t alone at the high table. Henry was there, grinning at her with obvious approval, along with a few other men she didn’t recognize who she assumed were clan elders or perhaps important retainers. And at the far end a figure caught her attention...
A small boy sat quietly, his dark hair neatly combed, his clothes obviously his finest. He couldn’t be more than ten with solemn brown eyes that watched her with curious intensity. Those eyes were familiar—the same shape, the same deep brown color as Elijah’s.
Her heart stopped.
Elijah noticed her stare and followed her gaze. His expression grew carefully neutral. “Iris, I’d like ye to meet me son. Codie, come here, lad.”
The boy stood immediately, walking over with the careful steps of a child trying very hard to be on his best behavior. He stopped in front of her and executed a perfect, formal bow.
“Me lady,” he said solemnly, “I’m pleased to meet ye.”
Elijah’s voice was quiet, pitched for her ears alone. “Codie is yer responsibility now. He needs a maither, and ye’re his stepmaither. I expect ye to treat him as yer own.”
The words were matter of fact, businesslike, but Iris thought she heard a warning underneath. Or perhaps, was it a hint that this was a test? Either way, one thing was certain. This was important to him. This child was important to him. And looking at the boy’s serious little face, all she felt was protective tenderness.
“How are ye, Codie?” she asked, kneeling so they were at eye level. “I’m very happy to meet ye.”
The words seemed to surprise him. His eyes widened slightly. “Are ye really goin’ to be me new maither?”
How do I answer that?
“I’m yer faither’s wife now,” she said carefully. “But I’d very much like to be yer friend if ye’ll let me. And maybe, in time, we can be more than that.”
Something shifted in his expression. Her heart melted when she saw hope and a flash of relief that crossed his face. “I’d like that,” he said quietly. “Me da says I ask too many questions, but I like learnin’ about things. I’ve been wantin’ a maither for a very long time.”
I can do this. Whatever else happens between Elijah and me, I can love this child.
“Well then,” she said with a genuine smile, “I think we’re goin’ to get along very well. Do ye like honey cakes?”
His whole face lit up. “Aye! They’re me favorite!”
“Mine too. Perhaps tomorrow ye could show me where the kitchens are? I’d like to meet the Cook properly.”
“Really? Ye want me to show ye around?”
“I’d love that. I’m new here, and I need someone who kens all the best places.” She leaned closer conspiratorially. “Especially the places where they keep the good treats.”
Codie giggled—the first truly childlike sound she’d heard from him. “I ken where everythin’ is! I can show ye the secret passages too, if ye want.”
“Secret passages? That sounds very important.” She stood, ruffling his hair gently. “I’ll definitely need to ken about those.”
“Codie.” Elijah’s voice interrupted their conversation. “Go back to yer seat now. The feast is about to begin.”
“Aye, Faither.” The boy looked up at Iris with obvious reluctance. “We’re still goin’ to explore tomorrow, are we nae?”
