“Easy, lass,” he murmured, running his hands over her neck. “It wasnae yer fault. That damned cat startled ye.”
The mare leaned into his touch, gradually calming under his steady presence. As he worked, checking her for injuries and soothing her with gentle words, Elijah found his mind returning to what had happened. The terror he’d felt watching Codie on that runaway horse. The fierce protectiveness that had driven him to give chase without a second thought. The relief when he’d gotten his son safely down, whole and unhurt.
“Come on,” he told Buttercup, leading her back to her stall. “Let’s get ye settled. Tomorrow’s another day, and I have a feelin’ it’s goin’ to be interestin’.”
Because tomorrow he’d be teaching Iris how to fight. And knowing his wife, she’d probably end up teaching him a thing or two in return.
The thought made him smile as he finished with the mare and headed back to the castle. Somewhere inside, Codie was probably regaling the servants with tales of his harrowing ride and dramatic rescue. And Iris was likely rolling her eyes while trying to downplay her knife-throwing skills.
His family.
Imperfect, unexpected, absolutely nothing like what he’d imagined when he’d first agreed to marry a Douglas daughter but perfect in all the ways that actually mattered.
And for the first time in longer than he could remember, Elijah Craig allowed himself to feel something that might have been happiness.
He found them later in the great hall. Codie sitting with Mairie and several other servants, dramatically recounting his adventure while they listened with appropriate expressions ofamazement and concern. Iris stood nearby, trying to look stern but failing to hide her amusement.
“And then Faither came ridin’ up like a Highland warrior from the old stories!” Codie was saying, his hands gesturing wildly. “He just reached out and grabbed the horse’s bridle with one hand, like it was nothin’! And the horse stopped, and I was saved!”
“Yer faither is very skilled with horses,” Mairie said warmly. “Ye’re lucky to have such a brave da.”
“I ken.” Codie’s voice was full of pride. “And then Lady Iris threw a knife right into that post! Right in the center! She’s goin’ to teach me how to do it when I’m stronger!”
“Is she now?” Mairie’s eyes found Iris, twinkling with amusement. “And when exactly were ye plannin’ to tell me about yer hidden weapons?”
“It never came up?” Iris’s cheeks flushed slightly. “It’s nae exactly polite dinner conversation.”
“Neither is most of what ye do, me lady, but that’s never stopped ye before.”
Elijah found himself chuckling as he approached. “Are ye tormentin’ me wife, Mairie?”
“Just remindin’ her that old friends should share such information.” Mairie stood, curtsying respectfully. “Good evenin’, me laird. I trust the mare is well?”
“Shaken but unharmed. She’ll be fine after a few days’ rest.” He looked at Codie. “And ye, lad? How are ye feelin’ now?”
“Better! Though I’m still nae sure about ridin’ again.” Codie’s enthusiasm dimmed slightly. “Maybe I’m just nae meant to be a horseman.”
“Nonsense. Every Highland warrior gets thrown at least once. Some of us more than once.” Elijah moved to stand beside his son. “The important thing is that ye get back on eventually. But nae tomorrow. We’ll give ye time to recover first.”
“Thank ye, Faither.” Codie smiled up at him. “Will ye tell everyone about the time ye got thrown? Please?”
And so, Elijah found himself settling into a chair, surrounded by servants and his family, telling stories about his own mishaps with horses. Iris sat nearby, her eyes warm as she watched him interact with Codie. And for once, instead of feeling awkward or exposed, Elijah found himself simply enjoying the moment.
This was what family felt like. Not the cold, formal dinners of his childhood but this warmth, this laughter, this sense of belonging.
And it was worth every moment of fear it took to get here.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“Can I have more honey on me porridge?”
Codie’s voice was cheerful as he pushed his bowl toward Iris, apparently fully recovered from yesterday’s riding incident. The morning sun streamed through the great hall windows, casting everything in warm golden light.
“Ye’ve already had two spoonfuls,” Iris said, but she was smiling as she drizzled more honey over his oats. “Any more, and ye’ll be bouncin’ off the walls.”
“That’s the plan.” Codie grinned at her then at Elijah who sat across from them. “Faither, can we go to the village today? I want to tell everyone about the horse and the rescue and Lady Iris’s knife throwin’.”
“I’m sure the entire village has already heard about it from the servants.” Elijah’s tone was dry, but Iris saw the corner of his mouth twitch. “News travels fast in a castle.”
