Page 67 of Outlaw Ever After

“I’d nay have complained.”

Giggles rippled through the ladies as they flurried into the lady’s solar to sit before the roaring hearth. The aroma of the communion bread for the villagers filtered up from the kitchens as the wolfhound meandered to Peigi and flopped down.

Alexander was the name upon their lips.

“If I werena already married, I fancy I’d enjoy catching his eye…”

“I bet he enjoys catching the lasses’ eyes whenever he pleases…” Giggles.

She sucked in, held it. He’d nay seemed experienced kissing back then, but he’d certainly known what to do with his bodily accoutrements . No man so virile would go three months without if he needn’t. Even if they’d been three lonely months for Peigi during which she’d wished she could disappear. The thought of him slaking his lust elsewhere?

Peigi rubbed the dog’s fur to warm her hands, to hide the fact the ladies’ gossip hurt, when Aileana looped an arm through hers as if they were still lassies skipping along the shores of Loch Ness.

“And yet, he only has eyes for my sister.” Aileana squeezed her elbow, her son cradled in her other. She leaned in to whisper, “He wore yer favors. Ye must tell all, for I fear my beloved sister has been keeping secrets from me.”

Blush burned Peigi’s cheeks as she tried to wave off her sister’s beg for gossip. Alex had helped himself to a favor. In front of everyone . He’d commanded his audience like puppets on strings, luring his competition into false security, letting each one welt him once, perhaps twice, like a cat toying with its quarry before devouring it. And he’d shined that smile on her, determined to thaw her frozen heart.

But charming people was what Alex was good at. She knew how his spark bedazzled before it burned.

“A song!” cheered Elizabeth.

“Music!” chimed Aileana.

Peigi motioned to Gertrude. “Dear child, will ye fetch the bard?”

Aileana scowled. “Nay sister. I wouldst hear yer bonny voice!”

Peigi hesitated. “My voice is still cold—”

“I can fetch yer lyre instead, mi lady,” Joslyn said as maids filled goblets and laid out refreshments. Ah, the woman had noticed she’d discarded it during the noon meal break. “Surely ye’ll play for yer sister.”

“Indeed she will!” Aileana exclaimed, rewarding Joslyn with a smile. “Here, Pegs. Take wee Calum and I’ll fetch it,” Aileana continued. “Ye havena yet had a moment to hold him.”

“Oh, but I, I think—”

Peigi’s nephew was thrust into her arms. She fumbled, surprised. Her heartbeat raced. She swallowed, swallowed again, unable to dislodge the lump while panic surged and the babe squirmed in his swaddling.

“Are ye all right?” Aileana softened, slowing.

“Of course.” Peigi swallowed.

“It’s just, ye’ve held countless babes, and yet—” Aileana’s brow furrowed with concern. “It’s as if ye’ve never held one before.”

Peigi cradled the babe more naturally to her breast. She had always loved bairns.

“I was just surprised.”

Peigi gazed down at the bundle, swallowing hard at the lump that wouldn’t budge. Aileana was so proud of Calum. Shame on herself for failing her wee sister’s happiness.

“He’s darling, so strong and healthy,” cooed Peigi, petting back his hair as he squirmed his cap loose, as the other ladies fell into gossip and sipped their refreshments. “Ye’ve done weel. Ye’re so lucky.”

Elizabeth leaned over and squished Calum’s cheek while her own bairn toddled away.

“Thinking on when ye’ll have a babe of yer own, no doubt,” teased one of the ladies as Aileana dashed to the lady’s chamber next door.

Peigi looked into Calum’s face. Looked at what could have been, when Aileana blessedly returned.

“Yer lyre, sister!” She thrust the instrument into Peigi’s hand. “Why was it buried in the bottom of yer chest?”