Page 108 of The Laird’s Lost Wife

“… and then I traveled to the eastern village and took a team of scouts up into the hills to make sure that the bandits were gone,” Jasper finished. “I believe it’s safe there now.”

Hunter nodded, drumming his fingers on the desk. “Ye’ve done good work. Thank ye, Magnus.”

There was a brief moment of silence.

Hunter clenched his jaw. Jasper dropped his gaze, shifting uncomfortably.

“Jasper,” Hunter corrected himself heavily. “Thank ye, Jasper. I am sorry.”

“No need to apologize, me Laird. That man was at yer side for years. It must be strange to see me in his place.”

Hunter grunted in acknowledgement.

Jasper was a stocky, blond-haired man of around twenty-five, a little young for a man-at-arms. He might have lacked the experience of older men, but he was a serious, stern fellow with a determination to get the work done. A laird could not go without a man-at-arms any more than an English lord could go without a steward.

It didn’t matter who he chose, in the end. The work got done. The clan continued to thrive. All was well.

And yet the gnawing emptiness in Hunter’s gut refused to ease up.

He’d received a terse letter from Skye implying that she was still angry at him for dismissing her, but that he should get his act together and travel to England soon. He’d sent a brief reply, agreeing to nothing.

Nothing mattered, after all.

Somebody tapped on the door, which creaked open before he could answer. Helena stepped inside, clutching a crisp square of white paper.

“I thought I might find ye here,” she sighed. “Ye do nothing but work these days.”

Jasper glanced over at Hunter. “Should I leave, me Laird?”

“Stay. I’m sure me mother willnae be long.”

Helena pressed her lips together, hurt flickering across her face.

“Daphne has written us a letter,” she said, holding out the envelope.

Hunter cleared his throat. “What does it say?”

“I thought ye would want to read it.”

“Just tell me. I havenae time.”

Helena blinked, faltering. “I see. Well, uh, it says that they returned home safely. Edith is still in better health than when she left England, although her doctor is trying to convince her to have leech treatment again. She says that Willow is well but misses being able to run around. The weather’s been bad. Lots of rain. Oh, and she asks about River. She is very keen to ken if he’s well.”

Hunter curled his fingers into fists. “Will ye write a reply?”

“I thought ye might.”

“I daenae have time, Mother.”

Helena stared at him for a long moment, saying nothing. Then she spoke. “Very well, then, son. I shall leave. I daenae want to take up any more of yer valuable time.”

She left without giving him a chance to respond.

Sighing, Hunter tipped back his head, closing his eyes.

Jasper cleared his throat, startling him. He’d forgotten that his man-at-arms was there. Magnus used to slip away into the background at times like this, but apparently Jasper didn’t have the inclination or the ability to do that.

“Forgive me, me Laird,” Jasper ventured, “but I have to speak me mind.”