Page 91 of A Highland Bride Disciplined

The hinges groaned.

Her stomach dropped, knowing before she even looked.

The shadow of Kian’s figure filled the threshold, broad shoulders darkening the space further. He paused, eyes sweeping the scene. Effie red-faced and fidgeting, Morag muttering about wasted linen, and Scarlett with Elise clutched so tightly against her chest as if she might be taken from her.

He lingered longer than usual, as if uncertain. Then, clearing his throat, he strode inside. “Well. I see a battlefield’s quieter than this room.”

Effie burst into a nervous giggle. Morag snorted, unimpressed. Scarlett didn’t answer. Her arms only tightened around Elise.

Kian tilted his head, watching her. “Ye ken I’ve faced down drunken MacGregors with less wailin’.”

Scarlett’s lips twitched despite herself. She could immediately tell that he was trying, awkwardly perhaps, but trying. She looked up at him, and for the first time since leaving his chamber that morning, and her fog thinned just a fraction.

Kian leaned against the mantel, arms crossed, feigning ease. “What happened? Did Effie mistake soap for porridge again?”

Effie’s mouth fell open. “I dinnae!” she squeaked, indignant but unable to keep from grinning.

Morag gave a huff. “Close enough.”

Scarlett let out a small, reluctant laugh. Elise stirred at the sound, blinking bleary eyes up at her. Scarlett kissed her damp curls, her chest easing.

Kian saw the way her shoulders lowered, if only slightly. He pushed on, his voice softer. “Scarlett.”

She glanced at him, warily.

“Ye’ve been starin’ into that fire like it owes ye something,” he said. “If I dinnae ken better, I’d think ye were schemin’ to rob it.”

Scarlett’s brows arched. “And what would I buy, then? Peace of mind?”

His eyes flicked to Elise, then back to her. He didn’t answer quickly, and for a heartbeat the room held its breath.

Scarlett’s chest tightened again, the weight of Nieve’s letter pressing down. She looked away. “Peace seems in short supply.”

Kian straightened, crossing to her. His steps were quiet, but his presence filled the space until he stood just beside her. “Then I’ll find a way to bring ye some.”

Scarlett blinked at him, startled by the earnestness in his tone. He meant it. For all his stubborn pride and scowls, he meant it.

Elise hiccupped against her chest, breaking the moment. Effie bustled forward with a cloth, eager to help, but Scarlett waved her back. She shifted Elise higher, rubbing her tiny back. “I’ve got her.”

Morag pursed her lips. “Ye’ve had her every hour this week. Let others bear the weight, m’lady.”

“I can bear it,” Scarlett murmured.

Kian’s gaze lingered on her profile. He didn’t argue, but his jaw ticked as though holding back words.

To cut the tension, Scarlett spoke, her voice lighter than she felt. “Perhaps we should call for Tam to help wit’ the bathing. He’d make short work of it.”

Kian barked a laugh, quick and surprised. “Aye, nothing terrifies the man more than Morag wit’ a wet cloth in hand.”

Effie giggled, even though she clearly had no idea what the joke meant. Morag sniffed, but Scarlett thought she saw the corner of the older woman’s mouth twitch upward.

The heaviness in Scarlett’s chest eased further, just a little.Thiswas what she needed. Laughter in the midst of grief. Warmth in the hollow spaces.

Kian’s eyes met hers again, and for once there was no hardness in them. Only a quiet steadiness, a vow unspoken.

Scarlett shifted Elise in her arms and found herself smiling faintly, “Well, Tam would faint dead away if asked to hold the bairn. And then where would we be?”

“Diggin’ a grave,” Kian said dryly.