Page 37 of A Scot to Wed

“Aye. It was broken, so I had to calm him down, then stabilize the arm. Poor lad. ’Tis going to be verra hard for his mum to keep him from moving it.”

When they arrived at the stable, ’twas in chaos. Alasdair and Gavin were attempting to put together some sort of cage for the puppies, who ran all around with MacDuff chasing them from the doorway with a broom. “Get away from there, ye bloody animals!”

“Mr. MacDuff, language please.” Katie scooped up one of the puppies and deposited him on a stack of hay, only to have him race once again for the door. Several of the newly arrived children were attempting to calm their animals, who were screeching and wailing in a new place.

Mrs. Fraser raced after the pup and lifted him above her head, cursing him in Gaelic. Hopefully, the young children had not yet learned the language. Or at least, those words.

Evan looked as though he was ready to bellow loud enough to bring the roof down. He stomped over to his horse and waved Mr. MacDuff off. “I’ll tack him myself.” Katie followed suit, and when they were finished, they left the stable, leading the horses through a web of bodies and confusion.

Evan helped her onto her horse, jumped on his, and rode off as if the demons of hell were on his heels. It took her a few minutes to catch up to him, and she was out of breath when she did. “Whatever is wrong with ye?”

“Wrong with me? I live in chaos. The noise is enough to drive a man off the edge of a cliff. How do ye stand it?”

Katie shrugged. “I dinnae concern myself with disorder.”

“Disorder! The entire castle and stable are a madhouse of pandemonium. I’m sure Culloden was quieter.” He kept up his rapid pace, which made it difficult for Katie to hear him, but she thought that’s what he’d said.

She didn’t try to ask where they were headed, just followed his lead. Eventually, they rode over a hill and before them, spread out, were dozens of cottages dotting the hillside. Their thatched roofs glowed in the sunlight. The whitewashed walls and white sheep grazing the area gave it a look of an artfully painted picture.

They both slowed their horses. “’Tis verra relaxing,” she said.

“Aye.” Evan sat back in his saddle. She could see his body easing as he gazed out at the sight. He turned to her, a grin on his face. The first one of the day. “After the chaos we just left, warriors attacking the castle would be relaxing.” With a laugh, he moved forward. But at a much slower pace.

…

Evan was certain with all the cottages spread out before them, there had to be a few that were empty. He prayed to the heavens above that there were more than a few. Besides the noise and confusion back at the castle, the longer it look him to get the entire estate settled, the less likely he and Alasdair would get on the road to Argyll before winter set in.

Then there was the problem of Katie and this Richard Armstrong of the fake betrothal. Until the mon showed up, he couldn’t leave either. ’Twas too dangerous a situation for both Katie and Gavin for him to ride away before it was resolved.

As much as he wanted to return to his clan before winter, he admitted to himself that the idea of leaving Katie behind held no appeal, even if he got everyone settled and the Armstrong fellow straightened out.

She’d been quite enthusiastic in their kiss early that morning—responding to his desire. Her quick exit from his arms and the room had startled him, but kenning she was an innocent, not too surprising. If he were honest with himself, unless he planned to actually marry the lass, he should not continue to seduce her. She was not one to take to his bed and then toss aside.

All these thoughts only added to the muddle that had become his life.

He had arrived at Fife with the full intent of hiring a competent land steward and returning home. No thoughts of marriage or interest in any lass had filled his mind for years. He’d been cursed in his three attempts at the wedded state.

But then Mistress Katie Stirling had appeared. She of the golden-red curls that escaped her hairdo daily, laughing blue eyes the color of a Scotland sky, and a light scattering of freckles over her perfect nose above her perfect lips. However, it wasn’t just her visage that had him ensnared. Her compassion, high spirits, and determination to do the best by her brother and her clan raised her in his estimation. She was not a lass to sit on her backside and weep about how life had treated her.

Were he ever to consider attempting marriage again, he would need a strong lass by his side. Someone who kenned how to make decisions, handle daily household problems, and most of all, return his enthusiasm in the bedchamber. In the few kisses he’d shared with Katie, he was convinced there was an underlying passionate spirit in the lass—and he was more than willing to unleash it.

They took their time just enjoying the view as they rode slowly down the hill. Off in the distance, he could see a small village that would most likely have a tavern or alehouse once they finished their visits.

They stopped at the very first cottage, which had flowers surrounding the front of the dwelling. Behind the small house, sheep grazed in the hills, and a healthy garden backed up to it.

A pleasant-looking woman exited the front door, wiping her hands on a cloth. “Good afternoon. Ye are the new laird?”

Evan jumped from his horse and helped Katie down. “Aye. I am Laird Evan MacNeil.” He pulled Katie forward. “This is Mistress Katie Stirling, who will be overseeing the estate in my absence.”

He’d been introducing them this way since the visits had started, but for some reason the words sounded foreign on his tongue now. Was he really prepared to leave Katie here to oversee the place while he returned to Argyll?

He shook off the uncomfortable feeling and smiled at the woman.

“I am Mrs. MacDuff.” She started laughing. “I’m sure ye’ve met more Mr. and Mrs. MacDuffs then ye ever thought ye would.”

He grinned back. “Aye. That is true.”

“Since there are so many of us, I suggest ye call me by my given name, Alice. Now, won’t ye join me for some tea?” She turned and led them into her house. He had to duck his head to clear the lintel. ’Twas small, but everything was clean and tidy. Just like the garden in the back.