Legacy of the Mist Clans Box Set (111 page)

Connell looked at him startled. “Did he . . .?”

“I think he did,” Mairi said.

Connell took Adam into his arms, grinning broadly.

Mairi was relieved to see his smile.

“I’ve been trying to get him to say it,” Connell said, “but this is the first time he actually did.”

Mairi blinked. He had been teaching Adam to call him Da? She remembered hearing him talk softly whenever he entertained the lad while Mairi finished dinner, or later when she worked on her mending, but she had never truly listened. She was surprised but also very glad to know he wanted Adam to call him Da.

Motion caught her eye, and Mairi saw the English knight approaching. Although she told herself she wasn’t going to move, she found herself stepping closer to Connell.

“Captain,” Connell said, “forgive me, but this be my wife and son.”

The captain looked at Adam, and then his gaze slid to her. He appeared younger than she first thought. His short, neatly trimmed beard was black and didn’t have a single gray hair. He was tall, but not as tall as Connell. He regarded her intently, and Mairi saw a look in his hazel eyes that she did not like. He gaze crawled over her body and lingered for far too long on her breasts.

She took another step closer to Connell as a shiver of revulsion passed through her. Mairi battled not to avert her gaze or do anything that he might perceive as her being fearful, but the growing lust in his gaze curled her stomach.

The captain inclined his head. “M’lady.”

She also inclined her head in acknowledgment, just enough that it wouldn’t be considered a slight. She didn’t want to do anything to encourage him. “M’lord.”

“Mairi, if ye dinna mind taking Adam inside the shop, I have just a bit of business tae complete with the captain, and then I’ll be in tae eat.”

“Of course.” She was grateful to turn her attention away. The captain kept staring at her, and she didn’t like it one bit. She took Adam from Connell, and the bairn protested.

“Laddie,” Connell said sternly.

Adam pulled his lips down in an exaggerated pout.

Connell shook his head and turned his attention to the captain, and they both fell in stride behind Mairi.

“Forgive the interruption,” Connell said, “but that split hoof is going to take a long time to heal.”

“How long?”

“Six tae eight weeks at least, and that be if he doesna do anything tae make it worse. Ye ken how horses are. I can patch it after a fashion, but all we can do is wait for it tae grow out.”

The captain grumbled. “Ye said ye had a mount here for sale?”

“Aye, another came in last month. Had a stone bruise, so it was limping. I talked the smith into buying the horse because I kenned we could sell him the moment he healed up. Perhaps we can work a trade.”

“Very well, let’s see what you have.”

Mairi entered the covered area of the shop where the workbenches, steel, and tools, along with the forge, were protected from the weather. In back was a door leading to the interior with a large room and storage area. She had only been inside a few times, mostly when they were preparing for Saint Clement’s Day. It was very well equipped and neatly kept.

Ian stepped through the door. “Mairi, my dear, tae what do we owe this honor?”

“I saw how much work Connell had, so I brought his dinner.”

“I fear I had my nose stuck in my ledgers all day and didna notice. He shoeing horses again?”

“Aye, Ian,” Connell said, stepping up behind Mairi. “And the captain’s horse be lame. He be wanting to see that horse I convinced ye tae buy last month.”

“Well, I’ll be . . .” Ian said, shaking his head. “Mairi, go right on in. Fiona will be glad tae see ye and Adam.”

“Thank ye.”

Ian descended the steps leading to the main interior of the shop and approached Connell.

At the top of the steps, Mairi turned to reach for the door so she could close it but stopped when she saw the captain again watching her. He quickly looked away. Mairi frowned, but he ignored her after that, shaking Ian’s hand.

“I thought ye’d gone barmy when ye wanted me tae buy a lame horse,” Ian said to Connell. “But ye be right, he’s all healed up now.”

“As I said,” Connell said with a grin. “My da made good coin doing that. But the captain’s horse will take a lot longer to heal.”

“Well, let’s see what we can work out.”

The captain rubbed his jaw. “Why do I think you two are going to haggle a terrible price for me?”

Ian laughed. “I wouldna be in business if I didna have some haggling skills. But I’ll do my best tae give ye a fair price.”

They walked out of the shop, and Mairi closed the door behind her, trying to forget about the captain. She shivered. Initially, she had been worried over discovery, but now her concern shifted to how he had been looking at her, and that realization chilled her even more.

HHH

Connell struggled to keep his mind on the conversation as he walked with the smith and the captain. He had seen how the captain looked at Mairi, and it took every ounce of his self-control not to pluck the man’s eyes from his skull. He had forced himself to make light of the conversation, but that was the real reason why he had sent Mairi into the shop straightaway.

A part of him wanted to throw the man and his bloody horse, along with the rest, out the gate, but no doubt the captain was just a fool who had forgotten his manners. Business was business, and unless the man became truly offensive to Mairi, Connell shouldn’t worry over it.

Besides, he really didn’t have a right to say anything; she technically wasn’t his wife.

Connell wished that thought had not entered his mind, but it had, and now he couldn’t get rid of it. They shared a bed, they shared a life, and he lost himself in the heady pleasure of making love to her as often as possible. He knew what he should do, but was he ready for such a huge step? Had he put Ina and William far enough behind him that he could devote his heart to Mairi? She didn’t deserve to be haunted by his ghosts. Their relationship had changed so drastically in such a short time; it was intoxicating, and at times he felt as giddy as a lad. But there was one thing he now realized he wanted more than anything. He once thought he had known what love was, but now . . . everything in his past paled in comparison.

Does she love me? Do I love her?

For the first time in a very long time, the memory of holding Ina as her spirit left her body intruded on his thoughts and once again brought tears to his eyes. Damnation, what was wrong with him? He had moved past this.

Sometimes it hurts worse than others, and I still cry,
Mairi’s voice whispered in his thoughts.

Her voice chased away the vision tormenting him, and he slowly released his breath as he once again took control over his emotions.

“Connell?” Ian asked. “Did ye hear me?”

He looked up, startled. “Forgive me.”

“The captain’s horse, the only thing wrong with him was the split hoof?”

“Aye, his legs are fine, and he be in good health otherwise.”

Ian paused and looked at him a moment. “Ye mentioned ye might want tae sell yer two mounts since all they be doing is eating.”

Connell’s worry over discovery returned with a vengeance. If they had to run again, they would need the horses. But he knew Mairi wanted him to sell them. They were expensive to feed.

“Nay,” he said. “The captain needs a stronger horse than the two nags I have.”

“Suit yerself,” Ian said with a nod and faced the captain again. The haggling began in earnest.

Connell knew Mairi would be vexed with him if she learned he had not sold the beasts when he had the chance. She was probably right, and he was just being stubborn about the whole thing. On the other hand, if they did have to run again, purchasing horses in Edinburgh would cost far more than he could possibly receive in selling the two he owned now. He wanted to be sure the danger was truly past.

“All right, you have a deal.” The captain said, bringing Connell’s attention back to the conversation.

Ian held out his hand, and they sealed the trade. “Excellent. I’ll even have Marcus trade out yer tack and equipment. This one will be ready for ye when ye and yer men come tae pick up the rest.”

“All right,” the captain said. He already had his belt pouch open and was counting out the coins.”

“Well, laddie,” Ian said to Connell, “since ye have one less horse tae shoe, we can close for dinner.”

“I’ll bring my boys back for their mounts this evening.” The captain handed Ian the coins and strode for the gate.

“Marcus,” Connell called.

“Aye?”

“Lock the gate behind the captain. Our food be growing cold.”

“Aye, Connell.”

As soon as the gate closed behind the captain, Ian’s smile vanished, and he handed the coins to Connell. “That be yers, laddie.”

“What? Ian, this is the full price of the horse. What about yer profit?”

“First off, when ye ask me tae buy something telling me I can make a profit, I’ll ne’er question ye again. But second, my profit was taking both that man’s coin and his horse.” He looked at Connell a long moment. “Dinna tell me ye didna see how he was looking at yer lassie.”

Anger tightened his jaw, and he looked again at the captain as he gathered his men and disappeared down the road. “Honestly, Ian, it was all I could do tae keep from ripping his eyes out.”

“I thought as much, but ye restrained yerself. He be a sorry cur for looking at another man’s wife like that, and ye would have been well within yer right tae refuse his business, but ye didna, and that be good sense, lad. There be a difference between being rude and crossing the line. If any man does cross that line with yer lass, take yer hammers tae him because I’ll be right beside ye with mine. But on this one, ye played it smart.” He tapped the side of his head. “Ye keep thinking like that and you’ll have yer own forge in no time. Ye deserve that coin more than I do for keeping yer wits about ye. I’ll take my profit when we sell the captain’s horse.”

Connell looked at the coins in his hand and squeezed his fingers closed over them, tightening his fist. “Aye, Ian, my thanks tae ye.”

“Ye be welcome,” he said, slapping him on the shoulder. “Now, let’s get something tae eat.”

Connell followed Ian into the shop, pausing only long enough to grab his tunic from his workbench and haul it over his head.

The interior of the shop was quite large. Just inside the door was a kitchen area with a large table able to seat six. Past the kitchen was another large room with bunks lining two of the four walls. Across from the bunks was a large ornate desk where Ian tallied his daily ledgers. Beyond that were areas for storing equipment and tools. When the war was at its height, no doubt Ian had employed several men, and his forge had roared late into the night with the sounds of hammers echoing through the busy city.

They entered the kitchen area, and Connell’s gaze swept the room. A strange sensation rose within him when he didn’t see Mairi. Fiona sat at the table holding Adam, but Mairi wasn’t there. Surely she hadn’t gone back to the house alone. He didn’t want to let her out of his sight until he knew the churlish captain was well away.

“I found it!” her voice called. She walked around the corner from the back room and entered the kitchen carrying a large serving dish. Connell’s body uncoiled, and he chided himself for being so overprotective.

Mairi smiled at him and put food on the platter, which she then placed on the table. Connell only then noticed the amount of food on the table, and he stopped short. “Dinna be telling me ye fit all that in yer basket.”

Mairi laughed. “Fiona was already cooking for Ian. I just added tae the amount so all of us will be able tae eat.”

Connell approached Mairi and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Another Saint Clement’s Day?”

Mairi rolled her eyes at him. “Sit. I’ll be done in a moment.” She moved to step around Connell, and he could not resist looping an arm around her waist so he could steal a quick kiss. But that was a mistake, he realized, as an unexpected hot and heady desire shot through him. He found himself reveling in the sensation.

“All right, laddie,” Ian said, giving him a knowing wink.

Connell felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment, and he grinned helplessly.

Ian guffawed, and even Fiona laughed. Connell sat next to Mairi. They bowed their heads as Ian said grace, but thankfully it was short, and they attacked the food.

“Is he eating solid food yet, Mairi?” Fiona asked as Adam looked at her plate and reached a hand for it.

“Some,” she said. “Shall I take him so ye can eat?”

“Nay,” she said. “I’ll keep him entertained.” Fiona used her fork to mash a potato and cautiously tested the temperature before feeding it to Adam. He clapped his hands as he gummed it then reached for her plate wanting more.

Fiona laughed, happily giving him another bite. “Ye have tae eat if ye want tae grow up big and strong like yer da.”

Connell grinned. “He just called me Da for the first time.”

“He did?” Fiona exclaimed delightedly. “Are ye going tae start talking tae us soon?” she asked Adam.

Connell caught the irony of his own words, and the sensation within him grew. He had never expected to be called Da again, and he certainly never expected to be so happy hearing it from a bairn who was not his. But all of that had changed, and it was because one person had been there for him when he needed her most. He felt Mairi grip his hand under the table. He looked at her, his fingers tightening on hers. Did she know? Did she have any idea what she had done for him?

“Thank ye,” he whispered to Mairi.

“For what?” she asked in confusion.

“Later,” he replied with a wink and turned his attention back to his meal.

Connell was treated to one of the most pleasant meals he had ever shared with friends. They laughed at Adam’s antics and drank finely made ale. He didn’t want it to end, wondering how he was going to be able to return to work after enjoying the company and conversation so much.

But all too quickly the meal was over, and Fiona and Mairi worked to clean the table. Mairi hefted Adam on her hip. Connell sat back as Ian lit his pipe, puffing in contentment as the smoke curled around his head.