“Why?” Miran asked. There were many villages and farms along the way they’d miss if they followed Kai’s route. “See.” She tapped several spots on the map. “Lagrith and Earie are not principal villages, but I hear there are many young men farming the land.”
“Not in the middle of winter.” Kai smirked.
“Here, lass.” One of Miran’s maids set a bowl of hot broth before her.
“Thank ye, Cadha.” She lifted the vessel to her mouth and welcomed the warm liquid as it slid down her throat and heat spread throughout her body.
“Ye will need yer strength,” the maid said, giving Kai a clear look of disapproval before she returned to the kitchens.
“You have poisoned your servant’s mind against me.”
“Nay,” she denied. “Ye did a fine job of that yerself.”
Kai drummed his fingers on the tabletop. “How?”
Miran shrugged. “Forcing me on this trip.”
“Miran.” Jamie gripped her chin and turned it upward. “Listen to me, lass. For too long ye have been idle. I want ye to find a purpose other than sitting beside my wife and weaving. Or cooking. Or serving Helen her meals.”
She frowned. Jamie couldna judge whether or not she liked her life. “I am satisfied with my duties, cousin. Are ye not happy with my performance?”
“Tis the continuous bite of yer tongue, the bitterness that shows in yer eyes every time I see ye. I canna bear it any longer. Ye remind me of a wee wasp stinging whoever gets in yer way. Remember, tis I who demanded ye go. Not Kai.”
She looked from her cousin to Kai. “Whenever the two of ye conspire, it usually means I willna be happy.” She folded her arms across her chest.
Jamie chuckled and draped his arm across her shoulders, drawing her in for a hug. “Leave here with a smile, lass. And when ye return, if ye are still dissatisfied living here, we will talk about ye going to live with Laird Alex again.”
“Truly?” She turned to him, the hope of going back where she grew up, where she felt most comfortable, bringing an involuntary smile to her lips. “Why this sudden generosity?”
Her cousin leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Blame my uncharacteristic generosity on Helen being with child.”
“What?”
Jamie couldna hide his joy from her.
“I am overwhelmed by this wonderful news!” She also felt guilty. For she and Helen had become more than close companions; they were like sisters. And if pregnant, she’d need Miran more than ever. “Where is she?”
“She has chosen to stay abovestairs.”
“Is she well?”
“Dizzy. Her stomach willna settle down.”
“Perhaps I should stay and care for her instead of going on this trip.”
Jamie squeezed her hand. “Nay. This journey is more important than ever. I need a nursemaid I can trust with my babe’s life. Ye are tasked with finding her—a duty ye should not take lightly.”
“Ye can count on me.” But could Miran trust herself to make the right choice? Somehow, in the moment, she realized how unreasonable she’d been over the last few weeks. Self-serving and unappreciative of the kindness her cousins had shown her. Another laird would have married her off long ago, keeping his purse in mind, not her feelings. She glanced at Kai. Could they be friends? Allies, at least? United to benefit Jamie and Helen? To help build this new clan up, instead of tearing it down with their distrust of each other?
A single tear trailed down her cheek, and Jamie raised an eyebrow.
“I-I am sorry, cousin.” Twas all she could say.
As if by divine intervention, Cadha returned with her fur cloak, hat, and gloves. “We are ready to depart, Lady Miran.” The maid curtsied.
Jamie had insisted she accept her role as a lady, which included wearing the right clothes. Her plain gowns had been taken and replaced with ones more suitable for her station. Even her favorite cloak, one made of thick, gray wool had disappeared. But Miran welcomed the feel of the softer material as her maid fastened the new cloak about her neck. It would keep her warm against the bitter winds known to blow across the land this time of year. It would also hide her body from Kai’s continuous stare, which even now dinna leave her.
She trembled at the thought of his demanding kiss, the way his firm and hot lips moved over hers, his salty taste, the feel of his breath on her neck, the fire in his dark eyes. Eyes that peeled back the layers of protection she’d built up over the years, the penetrating gaze that undressed her slowly, that looked straight into her soul. Eyes that recognized the truth about her, how all she’d ever wanted was someone to love her, to protect her…
