Chapter 9 Black Hair. Blue Eyes #2
His mind sought escape, and his thoughts often strayed to Lochbuie’s comely herb-wife.
In the past days, he’d been tempted to saddle Ruadh and ride through the woods to visit Hazel.
However, he’d managed to stifle the urge every time it surfaced.
The woman had made her wishes clear when he’d escorted her back from market.
If he were honest, she’d bruised his pride a little, had angered him even, but he’d heeded her.
He wasn’t the sort to make a pest of himself.
Working the nails free, he was so focused on the task that he didn’t hear the approach of riders until Ruadh’s glossy chestnut head came up, ears pricked forward.
Craeg straightened, wiping the sweat from his brow.
Three horses entered through the gatehouse, and a smile broke across his face when he recognized the riders.
Dropping his tools, he strode across the barmkin to greet them. “This is a welcome surprise.”
Liza Maclean slid from her saddle with practiced ease, though Craeg noticed Alec’s steadying hand at her elbow. His mother’s face lit up when she saw him.
“Craeg.” She embraced him, and he caught the familiar scent of lavender and wool. But there was something else too—a warmth that seemed to radiate from her skin.
Pulling back, he studied her more closely. Despite the golden cast of her skin, he could see her cheeks were flushed, almost feverish, and there were shadows beneath her eyes he didn’t remember seeing before.
“Are ye unwell?” he asked.
“Of course not.” But even as she spoke, a cough rattled through her chest. The sound was harsh and wet, and she pressed a hand to her mouth.
“Ma—”
“It’s nothing,” she said firmly, waving away his concern. “Just a summer cough. The dust on the road, most likely.”
Alec’s expression suggested he didn’t entirely believe that either, but he said nothing. Instead, he clasped Craeg’s shoulder. “Good to see ye. The barmkin looks well-kept.”
“Of course.” Craeg smiled back, although the expression felt brittle. He was wary of letting his lack of enthusiasm for lairdship show, yet there were times when he found it hard to keep the mask in place. “We don’t want to let standards slip, do we?”
Alec laughed.
Meanwhile, his sister had dismounted and was rushing toward him, her dark hair escaping its braid. “Did ye miss me?”
“Every day.” Craeg caught Lena in a bear hug, lifting her off her feet. She squealed with laughter.
“Liar! I wager ye haven’t thought of us once since we left.”
“Come inside,” he said, releasing Lena before giving her cheek a gentle pinch. “Ye must be parched from the ride. We’ll have some cool ale and a pork pie.”
“Pork pies?” His sister’s eyes lit up.
“Aye, cook made them for the noon meal, but there will be some left over.”
Leading them toward the keep, Craeg noticed his mother’s gait was slightly unsteady. She leaned more heavily on Alec’s arm than usual. The cough had left her breathless.
Worry gnawed at his gut, but he kept his expression neutral. Lady Liza was proud. She hated being fussed over.
They settled in the hall, where serving lads brought ale and a basket of pork pies. Lena immediately reached for one and took a large bite. His sister straddled the gap between girlhood and womanhood. However, her restless energy sometimes made her seem younger than her years.
“So,” Alec said, settling into a chair with a grunt. “How are ye managing? Any troubles we should know about?”
“Nothing I can’t handle.” Craeg took a drink of wine. “I settled a dispute over a fishing boat last week. The harvest looks promising. And Nat’s doing well as captain.”
Speaking of Nat, the young man appeared in the doorway, clearly having followed them inside. He stood stiffly, hands clasped behind his back.
“Nat!” Lena waved the pork pie she held. “Come, sit with us!”
Color rose in the captain’s cheeks. “I shouldn’t intrude on family time.”
“Nonsense. Ye are practically family anyway.” Lena patted the bench beside her. “Tell me everything that's been happening at Moy. Has Craeg been a terrible tyrant?”
“Lady Lena, I—” Nat cleared his throat. “Yer brother is doing a fine job.”
Craeg bit back a smile. Poor Nat. He took everything so seriously and never knew how to handle Lena when she was in one of her teasing moods.
“A fine job?” Lena laughed. “Come now, surely, ye can do better than that?”
Nat flushed scarlet.
“Enough, lass,” Alec said sternly, though his eyes glinted with amusement. “Leave Captain Black alone.”
Liza had been quiet, nibbling at her pork pie. Now she coughed again—a deep, rattling sound that made everyone pause.
Lena’s pixie face sobered, a groove appearing between her dark brows.
“Ma.” Craeg leaned forward. “That cough concerns me.”
“It’s nothing,” she repeated, but her hand trembled as she set down her cup. “I’m just tired from the journey.”
“Well then, ye must stay on a few days, at least,” he replied firmly. “Let yerself recover.”
“There’s nothing to recover from.” But even as she spoke, another cough seized her. This one bent her double, and Alec’s hand went immediately to her back.
When the fit passed, Liza’s face was flushed darker than before. Small beads of sweat dotted her forehead despite the coolness of the hall.
Craeg exchanged a glance with Alec. His stepfather’s expression had turned grim. His sea-blue eyes were now worried.
Lena leaned forward. “Maybe ye should lie down for a bit, Ma?”
“Aye.” Liza put down her pork pie and pushed herself to her feet. “Perhaps I will. Just for a wee while.”
Everyone at the table stood up as well. Alec was at her side immediately, offering his arm. They made their way toward the stairs, Liza leaning against him.
Watching them go, Craeg felt his chest tighten.
“She’ll rally,” Lena said quietly, coming to stand beside him. But her voice lacked its usual confidence.
“Aye.” Craeg flashed his sister a reassuring smile and put an arm around her shoulders. “She always does.”