Chapter Three
Maddie makes a secret promise to Logan.
The following morn, the bedchamber door flew open, and the twins bounded inside, climbing up onto the large bed.
“Mama, Papa,” the dark-haired Jake said, his voice so full of excitement that Maddie immediately knew it had been precipitated by Logan Ramsay.
“What is it, lads?” Alex asked, climbing out of bed and donning his tunic and plaid.
Jamie, his blond curls a mess, looked up at his sire quite seriously. “Papa, do you not get cold sleeping with naught on?”
“Nay. Finish what you came to say, Jake.” Alex was deft at redirecting the attention of the lads.
“Uncle Logan wishes to take us sliding down the small hill. He checked last eve and said there’s enough snow on that hill, and he found a contraption at the carpenter’s that we could use. Said he told the carpenter how to perfect it and that it would be ready this morn. Can we try? Please?”
Jamie added, “He’s done it on Ramsay land with Torrian and Lily. He promises we’ll not be hurt. He said he’ll keep a keen eye on us.”
Alex looked at Maddie for an answer, but Maddie had no idea what the contraption would look like or what the dangers of such a thing could be. “Alex, I’m not sure.”
“Let us see what Logan intends,” Alex said. Then, turning to the boys, he said, “Go ahead, but you must wear your trews and tunics and woolen socks. No plaid, or you might catch on a tree. We’ll be out to check on you in a few moments.”
The two boys hooted and raced out the door. “Are you sure it will be safe?” Maddie asked, worrying over everything that was initiated by Logan. “You know how he can be,” she whispered, as if he would hear their discussion through the walls.
“’Tis exactly why I told them trews and tunics. I don’t trust his plans, but I do trust our carpenter. I’ll make sure our laddies are safe. I’ve heard of other contraptions that are quite entertaining.”
He leaned over the bed and lifted her up, giving her a quick cuddle. “I have sweet memories, lass of mine.”
“Alex, I’m far from a lass.” She tugged at her night rail in a sad effort to keep it in place, having donned it a short time ago.
“You’ll always be my lass, forever.” He kissed her soundly on the mouth and gave her a playful bounce by dropping her back onto the bed.
She laughed but rearranged her night rail, then climbed out of bed and headed to the door.
“You could stay and we could try it again.”
His grin told her exactly what he meant.
“And trust that Logan will take care of the lads?” she asked, her hands on her hips.
“You win. I’ll hurry along.”
Once Alex finished dressing, Maddie opened the door, not surprised to see her maid, Alice, headed her way.
“What has them so excited this morn?” Alice asked, looking from Maddie’s face to Alex’s. “I probably need not ask, as I am sure it would be the fine Logan Ramsay.”
“Aye, he’s going to show them how to slide down the snowy hill in some contraption. Would you get Kyla up and dress her, please? We’re going out to check on Logan, and we’ll take her along.”
“The babes have all broken their fast, so all’s left is the dressing. I’ll see to Kyla, my dear. And I do believe the sky is gray, so the snow will not melt so quickly. A good day for it.”
Maddie smiled as the maid turned to fetch Kyla.
Alice had been Maddie’s maid for most of her life and came with her from England, and she adored the bairns.
The truth was Maddie would be lost without her.
She’d married their stablemaster before Maddie had met Alex, and she’d never been happier.
Mac could always put a smile on Alice’s face.
Alex finished his ablutions, came over, and kissed Maddie’s cheek. “I’ll leave you to dress while I go in search of food. May I bring you anything?”
“Nay, I’ll hurry along so we can make certain both lads do not decorate the snow with blood.”
“Aye.” He chuckled.
“And don’t forget your promise, Alex.”
He stopped and turned back to her. “Promise?”
She sighed and said, “To consider our Yuletide journey.”
“Aye, I’ll speak with my brothers later.”
He left and she finished her ablutions, then dressed with the cold weather in mind.
The last thing she did before heading downstairs was brush her long blonde locks and plait them.
On her arrival, the hall was full of boisterous chatter.
The boys stood next to their uncle, waiting for him to finish his porridge and warm cup of broth.
“Good morn to all,” she said.
“Mama, I have my boots and trews on, ready to go,” said Jamie, his eyes bright.
Jake added, “I’m ready to go whenever Uncle Logan is ready.”
“Lads, I’m glad you’re prepared.” She bent down and planted a kiss on the top of each head. “Why don’t you leave your uncle for a moment and play by the fire? I’d like you to keep an eye on your sister while I chat with him. Where is Papa?”
“He went to the lists already,” Logan answered. “He said he’d be back in a quarter hour. He took an entire loaf of bread with him.”
She glanced over at the hearth as Jake said, “Come, Kyla. We’ll play swords.”
They pulled out their small wooden swords, handing Kyla the smallest.
Kyla shook her head and said, “Nay!”
“Here, Kyla. This one is for you,” Jake tried again.
“Big! Big!” Kayla shouted, pointing at the larger wooden swords.
“Mama!” Jake said.
“Lads, the longer it takes me to talk to Uncle Logan, the longer it will be before we can leave.”
Jamie said, “Just give her what she wants, Jake. I want to go outside.”
“Big! Shakey. Big!”
Jake handed over the larger sword, which dwarfed the small girl, but she happily sat on the ground to play with it.
Her children settled, Maddie looked back to Logan.
He arched his brow at her. “You wish to speak with me?”
She lowered her voice so as not to capture the children’s attention. “Aye. And I’ll have your word you’ll not tell Alex.”
“If you say so, but what do you wish to keep from your husband?” He took a sip of broth and set his mug down, his eyes locked on hers.
“I’m going to Ramsay land.”
“Ah,” Logan said, relief tinging the word. “Aye, I think he’ll come around to the idea. He needs to think on it a bit, let it simmer inside.”
“I know my husband. He has made his mind up already and is thinking on it just to placate me. If he refuses, I’m coming without him. I’ll be a day behind you, and I’ll bring the bairns, along with Alice and Mac. If I cannot catch up with you,
I’ll stop at one of our allies and ask for an escort of ten warriors. But I’m hoping you’ll wait to see if I’m along. Alex will send an army along once he learns of it, so I’m not worried. He’ll be behind us within half a day. I’m not putting us at risk.”
“Maddie, let him think on—”
“Aye, I’ve asked him to consider it. Have tried asking politely and given him multiple logical reasons. But there are times where my husband is unreasonable.”
She cast an eye around the hall, making sure no one could overhear their whispered conversation.
“I promise you I’m going whether he wishes to or not. I’m warning you in case I don’t get the chance to speak with you later about this.”
“Maddie, what you ask is too much. I cannot do that to Alex. He’ll string me up by my bollocks.” His face told her he was indeed worried about the possibility.
“It might be worse if he finds out I told you and you didn’t wait for us, and we do this on our own. You can say you found us along the way and had to protect us.”
The door opened and Alex stepped inside, big as life, so she ended the conversation, put on a bright smile, and was grateful for the lads who all headed Alex’s way with a shout.
“Don’t forget, Logan,” she warned.
Because she was going whether Logan and Alex agreed or not.