Page 12 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds (Clans of Mull #3)

Eva

A few days later, Eva came down the stairs with a plan. She moved over to the corner of the hall, picking up her new best friend. “Good morn to you, sweet Goldie.” She gave her dog a snuggle, then set her down, petting Shadow and throwing a toy for him to grab. “Come, puppies, you must spend the day outside because I’m going on a visit later.”

Her mother entered the hall with Meg, both coming from the kitchens. “There,” her mother said. “And now we have the next two days’ meals set. You handle it well, Meg.”

Meg said, “Only because of your help, my lady.”

“Rut.”

“Rut.” Meg patted Rut’s forearm.

Eva wasn’t surprised that Meg was taking over her duties so well. She was a bright lass who had worked her fingers to the bone long before she’d met Lennox. The lass still had horrible calluses on her hands the day of the wedding. It never bothered Meg, but it surely caught Rut’s attention.

Eva’s mother had recovered quickly and mumbled to Eva, “Not a concern. Lennox is finally getting married, and her hands will heal.”

They had. It was hard to dislike Meg because she was sincere and hardworking. How she loved her brother, Eva didn’t know, but then again, she’d been a witness to behaviors from Lennox that Eva had never seen before. He was so much in love with Meg that Eva often found it quite amusing.

Would she ever find someone to love her like that?

“Where are you going, Eva?” her mother asked.

“I’m going to Clan Grantham for a visit. I’m taking your advice, Mama. I’m going to ask to borrow a book, so I have something to read.”

Rut stopped, the surprise on her face making her smile. “The Granthams have books?”

Eva grinned and leaned toward her mother. “Don’t tell, but Dyna said all the Grant and Ramsay women have to learn how to read. And write! In case they are healers. They must keep notes of all they’ve done. Dyna told me they have many books they brought with them, and Connor has brought more. So, I’m going to promise to return one if they’ll allow me.”

Meg’s eyes widened. “Ooh, would you borrow one for me too? Anything interesting. I used to read with Tamsin and our mother.”

Lennox entered and said, “Books? Why did you not say so, Meg? I’ll order some to be delivered on the next ship from Europe.”

“You can do that?”

Lennox pulled Meg in for a kiss and said, “Come to my solar, and I’ll show you the letter I received offering such shipments.”

“I’m so excited,” Meg said, clapping her hands. Lennox arched a brow and got an odd look on his face that Eva didn’t quite understand.

Rut said, “Take it to your bedchamber, you two. You never know when a child might walk through the door.” She gave Lennox’s shoulder a shove, and he chuckled, leading Meg to his solar.

Eva whipped her head around at her mother. Surely, she didn’t mean they were talking of intimate relations. Slime, but she’d have to ask Dyna another question. And when had she ever thought of the word slime ?

Eli was rubbing off on her.

“Mama, I shall return before the evening meal. I may practice my archery if Dyna is available.”

“Please make sure you take five guards with you. Taskill will choose them.”

Eva rolled her eyes but grabbed her shawl and headed out, the dogs directly behind her. Taskill would watch the animals for her because he adored dogs almost as much as she did.

They arrived at Duart Castle two hours later, telling one of the guards, “I’ll be a few hours probably.” They were used to escorting her, so they spent their time in the lists watching the Grant men spar.

She was surprised that Broc appeared at her side. “May I?” he asked as he reached for her waist.

“My thanks to you, Broc.”

He lifted her down with a wide grin, showing off his beautiful smile. Broc was fine-looking, but he didn’t send her heart aflutter like her future husband would do someday.

“What brings you here, Eva? More archery? I think Dyna is still in the great hall.”

“That, and I’m interested in borrowing a book. Do you have any available?”

“Och, many for you to choose from. And I believe Dyna brought a few of my grandmother’s picture books she used to tell the bairns stories. I doubt she would let you borrow them because they are treasured by many, but Maitland and Dyna both love to read, so there are numerous books inside. Just leave a note if you borrow one. As I said, Dyna is inside. Maitland’s parents are here so there are more meetings going on. Probably where they all are at present, but she’ll be about.”

“Where do they keep the books?”

“In the tower room in a bookcase. Maeve is probably there with wee Grant.”

“My thanks, Broc. I’ll look for Maeve or Dyna.”

Eva strode inside, nearly grumbling to herself because she could tell Broc had no interest in her at all. Broc was a cousin to Dyna and Alasdair but was unmarried.

Who was she going to marry?

She headed into the keep, surprised to see the hall empty, but she could hear voices in the solar, so she went down the passageway to the tower room and knocked on the door.

“Enter, please,” a child’s voice answered.

Lia sat on a stool next to a cradle where the bairn slept soundly.

“Greetings, Lia. Is Maeve here?”

“She stepped out to the garderobe. I’m watching over Grant.”

She glanced past Lia and noticed the bookcase behind her. “May I look at the books?”

“Of course. Maeve brought several with her. She loves to read.”

Eva stepped over to the books, her finger running down their spines, loving the feel of each tome. She didn’t recognize any titles but pulled out one to look at it. After studying a few, she nearly jumped because Grant woke up with a loud bellow.

“He has quite a voice for one so small,” Eva said, walking toward him. “Are you going to pick him up?”

“I’m not allowed to lift him without Maeve or Maitland present. You’ll have to do it.” Lia stepped back and pointed to the cradle, two tiny fists waving in the air.

“Oh, I cannot. I’ve never picked up a baby.” She peeked in at the wriggling bundle, still surprised at the tenor of his yells.

“You must pick him up, Eva. I’ll help you. The only thing you have to worry about is his neck. You must support it, though he’s pretty strong at this point. He’s a sweet laddie, and I’m sure he’ll grin at you once you lift him into your arms.”

Eva could barely hear Lia’s words because Grant’s cries were so loud and frantic. “All right. I’ll try.”

“Put one hand under his head and the other underneath his bottom, then lift. It’s quite simple, actually.”

Eva did what Lia asked and as soon as she lifted the bairn, Grant stopped his hollering and his eyes locked on hers. “Well, greetings to you, my dear.”

She held him in front of her, wondering what she was to do next. She glanced over at Lia for help.

“Tuck him into the bend of your elbow and hold him close. His head will rest on the curve of your arm.”

“Like so?” She did her best and the boy finally settled against her, a grin widening on his face and a fist going into his mouth. “Oh my, does it taste good?”

He giggled and kicked his feet.

Lia said, “Sit down with him. He’s getting heavy.”

“Then what do I do?” She honestly had no idea, having no experience with a child this small.

“Just talk to him. He loves to talk with people.”

“He can talk?”

“Not real words, but he thinks he is talking. You’ll see. He’s quite an amiable bairn.”

Eva did as Lia suggested and tucked the boy against her bosom. He locked gazes on her and began to utter the most nonsensical sounds, as if trying to talk with her. “Are you telling me about the day you’ve had? Are you enjoying your grandparents?”

Lia said, “I’m glad you are enjoying the bairn. You are quite good with him. Are you not hoping for bairns of your own someday?”

Eva stared at the lass, the one who spoke as if she were an elder yet appeared in a body too small to lift a bairn. “I haven’t thought on it much.” She gave her attention back to the beautiful boy on her lap.

“You should. And Eva, do not believe anything the earl said to you. He was not meant for you.”

Eva whipped her head to face Lia. “How would you know about the earl?”

Lia smiled and tipped her head, folding her hands in front of her. “I know nearly everything I need to know.”

“But why do you need to know about me?”

Lia pursed her lips and her finger tapped on them, her foot tapping in the same rhythm. “Because. I must help you …”

“Help me what?” She slid to the edge of her seat, afraid she wouldn’t hear the soft-spoken lass because of the lad’s noises.

“Your husband is near. Do you not have someone in mind?”

“Nay.” A sudden anger infused her insides, furious that even this lass spoke of marriage. “Why must everyone insist that I marry? Why can’t I live alone my entire life? There’s naught wrong with it.”

“Unless you were meant to be with someone. Then you would complicate their life’s purpose if you refuse your own.”

Did Lia know what her sire had wished for her? “Do you know who my sire chose for me? If you do, I beg you to tell me this instant.”

Lia shook her head and took two steps back.

“Please tell me. I need to know who my father chose for me.”

“I cannot help you with that. But your soulmate lives nearby. Do not overlook him.”

“Tell me who.”

Lia shook her head to deny her, but Eva would find out. Unfortunately, it would have to wait because the door opened and Maeve came inside.

Maeve startled Eva, but she kept a tight hold on the boy until his mother approached. “I’m sorry, but who are you? We’ve not met before. You aren’t dressed like a serving lass.”

“Eva. My name is Eva MacVey.” She stood and handed the babe to his mother. “He was crying, so I wished to calm him down. I hope that was all right with you.”

“You did a fine job. Grant, you like Eva? Where are you from, Eva?”

“Clan MacVey, on the other side of Craignure.”

“Well, you are doing a wonderful job with him. Do you have younger siblings? You are a natural.”

“Nay, he’s the first bairn I’ve held.” Saying the words made her realize how much she may have missed in her life. Why hadn’t she held a bairn before? There had never been one in the castle that she recalled. Surely there were many among the guards and their families, but they hadn’t been around her.

Perhaps she was spoiled in ways she didn’t even know.

“I was going to the kitchens. Why don’t you bring him along into the great hall? There are more toys there, and his grandparents will be out of the solar shortly.”

“Do you mind if I return to borrow a book afterward?”

“Of course. Borrow all you like. I can suggest a couple of titles.”

“I would like that. Two books, one for my sister-in-law, if you don’t mind.”

“Gladly. Come. We can look at the books later.” Then she stopped and said, “Here, allow me to show you another way to hold Grant. He likes to see what is going on so if you hold him on your hip just so, he can look about at everyone as you walk.”

She did that and the lad bounced with excitement as soon as they headed out the door, Lia behind her.

They reached the hearth where it was much warmer, and Maeve pointed. “When you tire of him, Eva, just set him in his wee boat. It’s well cushioned. I’ll be right back.”

Eva sat down, adjusting the bairn on her lap so he could look about. He kicked like he was about to run across the chamber. The door opened, and she heard the boot falls on the stones, but she didn’t look up until they were nearly upon her.

When she looked up, she paled.

Sloan Rankin, his hair unkempt and looking handsomer than ever, stood over her. “Greetings to you, Eva. Could we have a word, please?”