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“Why, that’s just terrible,” Arne said, shaking his head and frowning. He seemed genuinely aggrieved on her behalf. “I’m so sorry, Raven.”

“I’m sorry I was too scared tae tell ye all this before,” she told him, glad they seemed to have gotten over their previous upset. “But let’s nae talk of it any more fer now, eh? I want tae say goodnight tae Thorsten.”

“Aye, let’s dae that.” He opened the door, and they went inside. Raven’s eyes went immediately to Thorsten. He was sitting on the hearthrug in his nightclothes and a woolen dressing gown. He was playing with a spinning top. He looked up and grinned at them as they came in, his dimples on full display.

“Hello,” he called out merrily, waving at them. Muriel was seated opposite Thorsten. She looked up from her needlework and greeted them with smile and a nod.

“Good evenin’, Muriel,” Raven forced herself to say pleasantly to the nursemaid.

“Good evenin’, Lady Raven. He’s been waitin’ fer ye tae come with his da and put him tae bed,” Muriel replied, looking down at her charge fondly.

“Has he?” Raven said, delighted by Muriel’s guileless words. Clearly, the nursemaid had no idea about her jealousy, for which Raven was very grateful.

“Aye, he talks of ye all the time. I’ve never seen him take tae anyone like he has tae ye,” Muriel went on. Raven was touched by the compliment, and her jealousy abated somewhat. She suddenly felt a little warmer towards Muriel.

Arne shot Raven indecipherable glance as he said cheerfully, “Ye look just about ready for bed.” He swooped down and scooped Thorsten up in his arms, whirled him about, and then hugged him tightly.

“Aye, I am,” the little boy answered, cuddling his father’s neck while smiling at Raven and laughing gaily.

“Did yer Uncle Haldor and Auntie Sofia come tae kiss ye goodnight already?” Arne asked him.

“Aye, and now they’ve gone tae have their supper. Are ye gonnae tell me a story, Da? I want Lady Raven tae stay and listen too.”

“Och, thank ye pet, I love a good story,” she told him, tweaking his chubby little cheek, her heart overflowing with love for him.

“Aye. What story shall we have tonight?” Arne asked, carrying him over to the bed and helping him get under the covers. He sat on the bed, his arm around Thorsten.

“The Fisherman and the Whale, please.” Thorsten looked at Raven and said, “Come and sit in this chair, Lady Raven.” He pointed at the chair by the bed where she had sat before. She hurried to do as he said and made herself comfortable in the chair.

When Arne began telling the story, his voice so deep and gentle, giving all the characters of the traditional tale different voices, she watched and listened with rapt attention. At moments, she feared her heart would burst with love for the both of them, and she had to get a firm grip on her emotions, telling herself to enjoy the moment while she had the chance.

Soon, I must part with me boy again. And I dinnae ken how long it’ll be before I’ll see him again. It might well be never…

After they had finished putting Thorsten to bed and kissed him goodnight, they bid Muriel the same and left the room.

She was taken aback when Arne turned to her in the hallway and asked, “Would ye like tae come down with me and join Haldor and Sofia fer dinner?”

“Aye, I’d like that,” she said, still struck by the softening of his demeanor towards her since their argument and the disastrous kiss. They walked together down the staircase and to the great hall, with Arne telling her some funny anecdotes about Thorsten that made her laugh but also pensive.

“Ach, it makes me sad tae think of how much I’ve missed of his growin’ up,” she admitted as they entered the bustling hall and made for the laird’s table. “His first smile, his first steps, his first word, all the things his ma should have been there fer.”

“Aye, but ye have plenty of time tae make up for what ye’ve lost. He’s still got a lot of growin’ tae dae,” Arne told her as they came up to the table and saw Haldor and Sofia already seated, whispering and laughing together.

“Aye, I suppose so,” she said, touched by his attempt to comfort her but wary of reading too much into it.

“Well, hello, ye two. ’Tis nice tae see Thorsten’s parents gettin’ on so well, is it nae, Sofia?” Haldor asked his petite wife jokingly as he grinned at Arne and Raven. Arne pulled out her chair for her, and when she slid into it, she felt his hands brush her back, sending small tingles across her skin where he touched her. He sat down next to her, and she was glad he appeared unaware of the effect he had on her.

“How was yer afternoon out with Thorsten?” Sofia immediately asked Raven curiously.

“Och, it was lovely,” Raven replied and soon became engrossed in telling her all about the wonderful time they had spent by the waterfall. She smiled at Arne in thanks when he filled her glass with wine, out of politeness she supposed. “It was so much fun, I hope I can dae it again one day,” she finished filling Sofia in.

“Well, ye’ve certainly made an impression on the wee man,” Sofia told her with a laugh. “When Haldor and I went up tae say goodnight, he was talkin’ away about ye non-stop.”

“Aye, the lad’s taken a real shine tae ye, Raven,” Haldor agreed.

“’Tis like he senses ye have a special connection,” Sofia said. “Ah, here comes the food. Good, I’m hungry.”

“Aye, me too,” Raven said, finally feeling she had an appetite.