Page 51 of A Highland Bride Disciplined

Scarlett pressed her hand to her mouth to stifle a giggle.

Effie stood frozen in the doorway, arms full of blankets she’d likely grabbed in a frenzy of apology-preparing. “Oh, Lord in heaven, this is precious,” she whispered like she was witnessing a coronation or a unicorn birth. “I’ve right ruined it!”

Scarlett cleared her throat and moved to take Elise back from Kian, who looked more than a little relieved. “Effie,” she said smoothly, “why in God’s name are ye late?”

Effie blinked. “Would ye believe me if I said I was attacked by a goose?”

Kian’s brows lifted slowly. Scarlett turned to stare at her maid.

Effie coughed into her sleeve. “It might have beentwogeese.”

Kian’s lip twitched. Scarlett caught the faint tremble of it and immediately turned to glare at him, but it was too late. A rough bark of laughter escaped from him before he bit it back behind his knuckles.

“Well, at leastsomeone’samused,” Scarlett muttered, crossing her arms and raising a brow at the maid who had managed to turn a tender moment into something resembling a farce.

Effie’s shoulders sank. “I’m sorry, m’lady. I lost track o’ time. I really was comin’ back, just — well, then the milk soured, and the hearth smoked, and then Morag asked me to clean out the chamber pots —”

Kian choked.

Scarlett gave him another look, this one sharper. “Ye’re about five seconds from me sending ye out after the goose yerself.”

He raised both hands, palms out, still half-laughing under his breath. “I’ll keep me mouth shut.”

Effie, ever eager to avoid more scolding, moved quickly toward Elise, who was starting to fidget again. “I’ll take her now, aye? She’s prob’ly ready for a bit o’ milk and a nap.”

Scarlett passed the baby into her arms and adjusted Elise’s blanket. “Aye, and maybe try to keep her from overhearin’ any more of her faither’s complaints.”

“I wasnae complainin’,” Kian muttered, straightening his coat.

Scarlett turned to him. “Ye were mutterin’ to a bairn about me like I was a particularly inconvenient barn door.”

He sniffed. “I merely stated facts. She seemed to agree.”

“Her only reaction was to laugh at ye.”

“Atye, I think...”

Scarlett narrowed her eyes but didn’t argue. It was pointless, and Elise’s sleepy giggle still echoed in her ears like a little victory.

Effie rocked Elise gently and hummed. “Ye two make a good picture,” she said absently.

Scarlett’s eyes shot toward her. “That’ll be enough, Effie.”

Kian raised a brow, watching her closely.

Scarlett blinked at him.

He turned toward the doorway. “We’ll be late for dinner.”

Scarlett, startled, remembered she still hadn’t changed into anything finer than her loose house gown. She glanced down and winced. “Effie, bring her to the nursery and keep an eye. I’ll change.”

Effie nodded, already halfway out the door.

Kian lingered in the chamber, his dark eyes flicking over Scarlett like he was weighing something unsaid.

“What?” she asked, tugging her dressing robe closed with one hand.

He tilted his head. “I’ll wait in the hall. Daenae dawdle this time.”