Page 35 of A Scot to Wed

“Ach, of course.” Mrs. Fraser looked over at Gavin, who still held one of the puppies in his arms—all the love a small boy shows for a pup on his face. “Ye care to help me, Gavin? I cannot get all these pups into the stable myself.”

“Won’t we need a box or something to keep them in?” Gavin looked over at his sister. “They might run away if they’re in the stables.”

“If only,” Evan mumbled.

Katie nudged him in his ribs and addressed Gavin. “I am sure the laird can think of something we can build to house them so they don’t run away.” She looked up at him, the determination in her eyes enough to make him smile. “Isn’t that right, my laird?”

He ran his hands through his hair, pulling strands from his queue. “Aye. But first we have visits to make.”

“Then Mrs. Fraser will have to keep them in her bedchamber until ye can build something.” Her smug look annoyed him.

“I have a better idea. We go visiting, and one of yer handy clansmen can build something for the animals.”

“That’s a good idea, isn’t it, Katie?” Gavin, apparently wanting to keep the peace, looked at her eagerly. “Maybe Alasdair can help.”

Evan ran his palm down his face. He knew when it was time to let go. “Aye. Isn’t Alasdair supposed to be watching ye?”

Gavin looked confused. “Watching me?”

Katie coughed and scowled at him. “Alasdair is not watching ye, Gavin. He’s just making sure ye don’t get lost in the new castle and grounds. He thinks ye need a friend.”

“Aye.” Alasdair strode down the corridor and placed his hand on Gavin’s head. “And I was right there”—he gestured with his head—“talking to Mr. MacDuff, with my eyes on ye the whole time.”

Alasdair grinned at Evan. “Nice puppies, eh?”

“Did ye ken about this?” Evan waved at the puppies, who had apparently worn themselves out and were now all sound asleep in a pile.

“Aye, I did.”

“I’m so sorry, my laird. My dog decided to give birth along the way. I thought we had more time.” Mrs. Fraser fidgeted with her skirts and looked back and forth between him and Katie.

“’Tis all right, Mrs. Fraser. Nature tends to do things on her own schedule.” Katie smiled warmly at the puppies, and he knew he was in trouble. The lass seemed to have a soft heart for not just people but animals. Animals that should be kept out of the castle. A dog or two he would allow, but a goat and a horde of puppies? Nay. ’Twas time to put his foot down.

He was turning to Katie to lay down the law when she looked up at him, eyes gleaming. Her lovely lips in a slight smile. “Isn’t that right, Laird?”

Evan squeezed the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. Alasdair’s snort brought him up short, and he glared at his brother. “Ye can build a cage or whatever ye wish to keep these puppies secure.” He raised his voice and looked Katie, Mrs. Fraser, Gavin, and Alasdair in the eyes. “In the stables. Do I make myself clear?”

Several mumbledayesfollowed.

“Now, Mistress Stirling, we must depart.”

“Oh dear; I just remembered yer brother said Mr. MacDuff was here. I must speak with him.” Katie rushed off before he could stop her. Then, like the fool he was where the lass was concerned, he trailed behind her to the door where MacDuff and two other men stood talking.

“How is yer wife and the bairn this afternoon, Mr. MacDuff?”

Two bloodshot eyes looked back at Katie. “Freya is a bit worn out, but the bairn seems fine. Especially if measured by the strength of his lungs.”

Katie smiled and placed her hands on her hips. “And ye, Mr. MacDuff. How are ye feeling? The last time I saw ye, ye were hugging an empty whisky bottle.”

The man’s face grew red, and he looked down at his feet. “Aye. I apologize for that, mistress. ’Twas a bad thing for me to do with Freya suffering so, but so hard to listen to her cries and not be able to do anything for her.”

Katie placed her hand on his arm. “It might make ye feel better to ken that just about every husband I’ve ever encountered during a childbirth used the same method to dull the pain.”

“Thank ye. Also, I want to thank ye for helping my wife out. She was scared and even though Mrs. MacCabe delivered many a bairn in her day, Freya was a bit concerned that she was getting on in years.”

“I’m glad everything went well. I’ll stop by and see Freya sometime today to make sure everything is as it should be.”

The man nodded his thanks and turned to leave.