Legacy of the Mist Clans Box Set (112 page)

“A fine meal, lassies,” Ian said. “Thank ye.”

“Aye,” Connell said in agreement. “Thank ye for allowing us tae share it with ye.”

“Anytime,” Ian said. “We should do this more often.”

Connell nodded in agreement. He rose and took Adam from Mairi. “Let me hold him a bit before I have tae return tae work.”

Adam, his belly full, once again rested his head against Connell’s chest, his eyelids drooping. Connell looked down at him and grinned. “He always wants tae fall asleep when I hold him.”

“He’s happy, Connell,” Mairi said softly.

“Aye,” he whispered, “and so am I.” He managed to steal another kiss from her.

She looked up at him, startled, but then smiled beautifully at him.

He was only too happy to hold Adam while Mairi worked, and by the time she finished, the bairn was sound asleep in Connell’s arms.

“I hate tae wake him,” he said as he helped Mairi bundle him up again. Adam fussed, not wanting to lift his head from Connell’s chest.

“I’ll put him down for his nap at home. He’ll be just fine.”

“Can ye get everything?” Connell asked as he rose.

“We’re fine,” Mairi said, laughing. “Now go on, ye need tae get back to work. I’m going tae help Fiona finish cleaning up, and then I’ll take Adam home.”

He stole one last kiss and left the kitchen with Ian and Marcus only a step behind him. As Marcus trotted out to unlock the gate, Connell’s gaze swept the street, looking for the captain. He was not going to allow Mairi out of his sight unless he was certain the man wasn’t loitering about.

HHH

The men left, and Mairi turned back to her work.

“Mairi, is something amiss?”

She debated whether she should say anything to Fiona, but the captain still rattled her. She quickly explained what had happened. “I canna get his leer out of my head. It made me sick tae my stomach tae see it. But Connell didna say anything tae him, and he didna say anything when he came inside. I was certain he noticed what the man was doing.”

“Trust me, Mairi, he noticed, and he wasna happy about it.”

“How do ye ken?”

“When he walked in the door and didna see ye straightaway, he was worried.”

“Worried? That doesna make sense. I was in here. Where else would I be?”

Fiona shrugged “I honestly dinna ken, but that doesna change the expression I saw on his face. I ken for a fact the only reason he continued tae do business with the captain was because that’s exactly what Ian would have done.”

“Really?”

“Aye,” she smiled and lowered her voice, trying to sound like her husband. “There be a difference between rude and crossing the line.”

Mairi couldn’t help but smile.

“Unless it’s something Ian sees as crossing that line, he will tolerate the person, so no doubt Connell did too.”

Mairi thought for a moment. If Ian had a certain way of doing things at his place of business, Connell would fall in step.

“I think he didna say anything tae ye because he didna want tae worry ye unnecessarily.”

Mairi still didn’t reply. Connell had been so protective of her on the trail that him not reacting to the captain was out of character for him, but what Fiona said made perfect sense the more she thought about it.

“Dinna worry over it. Connell is so in love with ye he’d be lost without ye.”

Mairi looked at her, startled.

“When he first started working for us, there was so much misery about him he wore it like a cloak. He has suffered a terrible heartbreak.”

Mairi swallowed hard. Did this woman have the gift of the Sight that she understood so much about Connell? “What . . . what makes ye say that?”

“Ian is the one who talks to the people we do business with. I just stand back and observe. But I’ve learned a lot observing all sorts of people over the years. Connell has been working for us almost four months now. But seeing the man he is today compared tae the man who walked through our gate looking for work . . . night and day, lass, night and day. When he first started, he never smiled, he hardly ever spoke, and there was a grim set tae his jaw I didna like.”

“I didna like it either,” Mairi replied.

Fiona nodded and rose, her hand gently tracing the soft fuzz of Adam’s head. “Forgive me for being so bold, but Adam isna his, and neither are ye.”

Alarm rose within her. She remembered her thoughts long ago when she wondered if Fiona and Ian had determined Adam’s identity. Had Fiona somehow learned who Adam was?

“Dinna worry,” Fiona said quickly. “I willna say anything, but that first month Connell worked for us, I’d try tae talk tae him a little. He avoided answering questions about how ye met, where ye were from, when ye were married. There were times when there was such a painful sorrow about him that I thought he’d shed a tear. I didna ken why it was there, but it was there. He lost his family in the war, did he no’?”

Mairi hesitated a moment, but then she nodded. “If it hadna been for Connell, Adam and I would have been slain a long time ago.”

“He saved ye, and because ye and yer bairn were alone, he stayed.”

Mairi nodded again, feeling tears burning in her eyes. “We didna have anyone else . . . and neither did he.”

“I noticed the change no’ long before Saint Clement’s Day. I thought I was imagining it at first, but then the lad began tae smile more. I heard him laugh for the first time. The weight he carried on his shoulders vanished. In a verra short amount of time, I saw a new man begin tae emerge, and that’s when I realized . . . it was because of ye.”

Mairi stared at the floor, uncertain what to say. “I canna abide his pain.”

“Ye are a kindhearted lass. Ye refused tae lose him tae his grief. If that no’ be love, I dinna ken what is. The good Lord put ye two together for a reason, have faith in that. Connell loves ye, but he probably hasna allowed himself tae admit it yet. ’Tis a frightening thing for one who has lost a family. He’s terrified what will happen if he loves ye and something happens tae ye too. It hasn’t dawned on the daft lad that it’s already too late. Trying tae protect himself now is absolutely useless.”

Mairi bit back a laugh and wiped away the tears gathering on her lashes. “I’m only now realizing that he’s even stubborn in his own head. If he grows any worse, he’ll be having arguments with himself.”

“Och, I’m certain he does that already; it’s why this is taking him so long. But dinna worry, he’ll come around shortly. Ye just be sure ye dinna give him a choice. Ye keep loving him and dinna stop. There is a joy in him now that wasna there before, and it’s growing stronger with each passing day.”

“I do love him. My heart tells me we can have something verra special if he will allow himself tae reach for it.”

“Have ye told him this?”

She shook her head. “When I do open my mouth, I have about as much tact as a five-year-old.”

“Tell him, Mairi. Trust me in this: he loves ye, and he loves Adam as his own.”

“I will, thank ye.”

“Thank ye. We are so happy tae have ye with us.” Fiona kissed her cheek and looked to Adam. “Ye better get him into bed. He’s a sleepy lad.”

“Aye,” She hefted Adam, who was starting to feel more like a sack of potatoes than a bairn, and looped the basket over her arm. Fiona opened the door for her. Mairi bid her good-bye, then her gaze sought Connell in the shop. He once again stood over the forge, his tunic gone, the blacksmith leggings protecting his trewes. Already the sweat trickled down the deep cuts of muscle of his chest. His blond hair had escaped its braid again, and wisps of it clung to his sweat-dampened face.

He wiped his brow with the back of his arm and lifted his hammer. Muscles tightened and relaxed in a mesmerizing harmony of mortal power as he worked, the hammer striking the steel then the anvil in a regular rhythm. Slowly, the red-hot steel of the horseshoe bent to his will, and he turned the shoe on the anvil, his hammer never missing a beat. Finally, he stopped, eyed the shoe critically, then thrust it into the bucket of water at his feet, a billow of steam rising as it hissed and spat.

He seemed to sense her watching him and turned his head. For a moment, their gazes locked, and his sapphire eyes held her in thrall. Slowly, like the melting of a glacier, his smile appeared, bright, warm, and breathtaking. It was the smile she so loved, the one she so rarely saw, the one so very beautiful, and he awarded it fully to her.

At last she had found the man buried under all the pain and hurt. She saw the love in his eyes, and it was so very beautiful. She thought about Fiona’s words. Her throat tightened as she walked toward him, unable to look away. “I love ye, Connell MacGrigor,” she whispered as she passed him.

His head snapped around to follow her, but she didn’t break stride as she walked to the gate of the yard. When she reached it, she allowed herself to look back. He was still staring at her.

Her smile grew. She blew him a kiss and then turned for their home.

HHH

Connell’s heart thundered in his chest as he watched Mairi go back to their cottage. “Ye canna say something like that and then just walk away,” he whispered.

“Problem?” Ian asked from behind him.

Connell nearly jumped out of his skin then glanced at the smith over his shoulder. “Nay.”

“Now, laddie, I ken she has ye fit tae be tied.”

“Am I that obvious?”

“Tae me ye are.” He sighed softly, his humor fading a bit as he looked at the house, but Mairi was inside already. “Forgive me for being so bold, but I noticed she doesna wear a ring.”

Connell flinched, his thoughts scrambling. Guilt rose within him. “Food was more important,” he said tightly. He hated lying to the man, but Adam’s safety was paramount. “I was forced tae sell it.”

“I understand,” Ian said, nodding. “Ye took care of yer family. But now, laddie, with yer skills, surely ye can make her another.”

Connell shook his head, wishing he was not having this conversation. He desperately tried to think of an excuse Ian would believe. “I canna afford the gold. No’ yet anyway.”

“I dinna think it would matter tae her, what her ring is made of.”

“It matters tae me.”

“I see,” the smith said softly. “I have a few other things tae tend tae. I will leave ye tae this.”

Connell nodded and watched him walk away, feeling terrible that he had just lied to the man. He tried to dismiss his thoughts, telling himself there was no help for it, but like his guilt, the conversation stuck with him. Not being able to afford the gold was true at least. Even though he had his share of the money he took off the brigands, it wasn’t enough to buy a ring or even the raw gold to make one. And if Connell was going to give Mairi a ring, it would be one made by his own hand, that much was certain. His thoughts still chasing themselves, he shod the next horse and started on the third.

Ian reappeared. “Fiona and I are leaving for home. Ye have things in hand here?”

“Aye,” Connell said and nodded. “There be only two mounts left, then I’ll close the shop.”

“Good lad. Be sure tae collect what they owe ye for shoeing the remainder of the horses.”

“I will.”

“We’ll see ye tomorrow.”

“Aye.”

“Aye, Connell,” Fiona said as she emerged. “It was a wonderful dinner today. I hope Mairi and Adam can join us again soon.”

Connell grinned brightly. “They will, Fiona, ye have my word.”

They bid him good-bye, and Connell returned to his work. It was almost dark by the time he finished and the captain returned. Connell observed him closely, but the captain bid his men to pay Connell and collect their mounts. It was exactly what they owed, with no attempts to haggle him into a lower price.

He cleaned up his mess and prepared to close the vents on the forge. The lack of air would choke the embers, but they would stay hot all night, making it easier to rekindle it in the morning without running the risk of setting the shop on fire. Before closing the vents, he decided to give the shop one last look to make certain Marcus had swept up and put everything away. Connell paused when he saw a small bundle on the workbench he used. What in the world? That hadn’t been there earlier. He was certain of it. He approached and saw a note with his name on it.

Connell,

For yer lassie.

Ian

Scowling, he opened the bundle to discover a blank casting ring and a bit of raw gold. It was what he needed to make Mairi a wedding ring. He stared at it, his jaw slack. The gift was small, but the power with which it moved Connell was not.

I love ye, Connell MacGrigor.

He squeezed his eyes shut, finally acknowledging his heart. “Aye, lassie,” he whispered, “and I love ye . . . and I’m going tae show ye how much tonight.” At last he felt as if he could take a deep breath and step from under the pain of his past that had always been hanging over his head. For the first time in God knew how long, there was a peace in his heart that he treasured.

“Connell?” Marcus asked.

“We be done for the night,” Connell said. “I just have this bit tae do, and then I’m going home. Be off with ye. I’ll see ye tomorrow.”

Marcus nodded. “Good night.”

“Good night.” Holding the gold and the blank tightly in his hand, he turned to the forge and plied the bellows, watching the flame as it roared back to life.

“She fought for me. She fought for my life, my heart, my hope—and she won.”

~
Connell MacGrigor

H
e was late again. Mairi sat the last of the food on the table with a sigh. She had honestly expected it seeing how much work he had left in the shop after dinner and had put the food on the table later than normal. But now it was long past dark, and the night was aging. Adam grunted and fussed, hungry and tired. She picked him up and moved to the window. She spotted Connell locking the gate to the shop.

“He’ll be here in a moment,” she said to Adam.

Connell strode straight to the fence separating the yard from their house, and in one fluid motion, vaulted over it. She didn’t have long to wait as he appeared in the door, gracing her with that beautiful smile of his yet again.

“Da-da-da-da,” Adam said, reaching for him.

“Welcome home,” she said, handing Adam over. “I take it the rest of yer day went well.”

“It did,” he said, holding Adam close then giving her a kiss on the cheek.

“Well, sit at the table. Yer food be getting cold.”

“Thank ye, my sweet.”

Mairi had made a thick stew for this evening, and she spooned it onto his plate. Connell took a couple of bites, then just as Fiona had done, he pushed aside a small potato, mashed it, and fed it to Adam.

She watched him for a moment. Even though she knew he had been a father, she marveled at the ease with which he handled the role. To hear him speak of it, he hadn’t been involved in hardly anything in William’s life. But watching him, this was a practiced behavior and one he was very good at. Once again Connell had sold himself short.

They shared a pleasant meal, talking about Connell’s day and a bit of business. Mairi needed to go to market to get more supplies for the kitchen, and Connell had no problem giving her the coin she needed. After dinner, they moved to the other room. Connell sat with Adam on the divan while Mairi walked to her rocking chair. She still had some mending that needed to be done.

She sat in her chair, pleased that it was no longer unstable. Connell had been so kind to fix it for her, and she didn’t even have to ask. She had been reluctant to mention it because he worked so hard every day—he didn’t need to come home to more work, yet he had fixed it of his own accord.

Mairi smiled as she watched him talk softly to the bairn. She picked up her mending. She was going to have to make another tunic for Connell soon; this one was becoming a bit threadbare, but it would withstand mending a few more times. She heard Adam grunt and looked up.

Connell still held him, but the bairn screwed up his face and grunted again. They heard a telling sound coming from down south.

“This one’s going tae chase us out of the house,” Connell muttered.

Mairi chuckled and put her mending aside.

“Nay,” Connell said, surprising her. “I’ll take care of him.” Suddenly, he recoiled and gagged. “Dear God have mercy on us all.”

Mairi laughed as he picked Adam up, holding him at arm’s length. Connell had long arms, but from the look on his face, apparently his arms were not long enough. Adam looked at him and grinned.

“Aye,” Connell said. “A job well done, I understand.” He carried Adam into the bedroom. A moment later, Mairi heard him choke. “Dear God, laddie, what have ye been eating?”

Mairi only laughed harder.

She was about to go after him and rescue poor Connell, but he returned, carrying a freshly swaddled Adam on his hip. “I fear that one be lost tae us.”

“What?” she asked, trying to stifle her giggles.

“The swaddling. It was so bad I threw it out the window. Hell, Mairi, I ken it be cold out there, but I left the window open too lest we die in our sleep.”

That cracked it. Mairi lost herself to her laughter once again, forced to wipe the tears from her eyes.

“I’ll give yer mum enough coin tae get ye some new swaddling tomorrow,” Connell said to Adam. “But I pray ye dinna do that again anytime soon. I be a courageous man, but
that
, laddie, my heart and my nose canna take. And I’ll have ye ken I’ll no’ be having my lassie facing something so vile either.”

“Cease, Connell,” she said, laughing so hard her sides hurt. “I canna breathe, and I dinna have tae smell it.”

His laugh started as a low rumble but quickly joined hers in strength. Adam, because she and Connell were laughing, giggled too. Connell strode to her and bent, kissing her brow. His laughter faded, but not his smile. “It does my heart good tae hear ye both laugh so.” He returned to the divan, holding Adam close.

Slowly, Mairi began to pull herself into some semblance of order, and she was able to pick up her mending again.

About an hour later, she heard Connell sigh.

“He’s sound asleep again, isn’t he?” Connell asked, his voice soft.

She looked up from her work and smiled. “Aye. It’s been a big day for him.” She started to set her mending aside, but Connell shook his head and rose. “I’ll put him down.” He took Adam into the bedroom.

A few minutes later, he returned.

“Connell,” she said softly, “ye amaze me. Ye take tae Adam like caring for a bairn be second nature tae ye.”

He approached her chair and held out his hand. Mairi put her mending aside and placed her hand in his. He led her to the divan and sat, pulling her with him and tucking her firmly against him.

“Remember I told ye Ina had trouble giving birth tae William.”

“Aye.”

“I called on the village midwife when Ina went into labor. It was a long, hard-fought battle for her, but William was healthy. Unfortunately, Ina was not. I made better coin serving my laird than I would have earned smithing, but I couldna afford tae pay someone tae help us. The midwife was expensive enough, but because Ina was so weak and in trouble, the midwife said she would take care of her, no extra charge. And she did a fine job, but Ina was barely strong enough tae hold William tae breast. I tried tae help her, but she didna want me in the room, and if I insisted, she’d grow so distraught that I feared for her health even more. So the midwife took care of her, and I took care of William when Ina needed tae rest. Thankfully, the midwife showed me what tae do, how tae change his swaddling, even how tae hold him against my shoulder after he fed so he could clear the air from his belly.” He paused and drew a deep breath. “He was my son; I would have done anything for him and Ina. Even though I worried terribly over her because she was so ill, it was one of the happiest times in my life because I was caring for my son . . . my family.”

“Ye said Ina never let ye hold William.”

“She was bedridden for almost a month after, and it was during that time that I was able tae care for him. But after she regained her strength, that’s when things changed between us. She jealously guarded William. Eventually, all of the things I treasured doing for my son I was no longer permitted tae do. I believed I was helping her with the bairn where few men would, but she hated me for it . . . she forbade me from caring for him at all.” He paused and shook his head sadly, but his jaw tightened in anger. “She broke my heart on that day, but I was unwilling tae admit it, so I went tae Ronan and told him I was ready to return tae my duties. He was glad tae have me return tae his service, and I was tae leave upon the dawn. When I told this tae Ina, she grew so enraged—that’s when she threw the dagger at me, among other things.”

Mairi’s thoughts chased themselves as she realized what Ina had done to him, but Connell had been so young he had not truly realized how Ina had helped poison their relationship. He had no way of knowing things could be so very different. She found herself gazing at the gentle giant before her and seeing him in a new light. In that moment, her love for him grew even stronger. She would never understand how anyone could be so hateful to him, to intentionally inflict such wounds on his heart. All he wanted was to love and be loved. Didn’t anyone realize how precious that quality was? Connell was so very special; she could see it clearly, how could Ina have not? It didn’t do Mairi any good to question it. The only thing she could do was try to find the man buried under the pain and hurt Ina had inflicted . . . and she had.

She sighed softly and admired how his long hair tumbled around his shoulders with an errant lock brushing against his cheek. She reached out and tugged it away then stroked her fingers through the hair at his temple. “Even though Adam be no’ yers, I will never keep him from ye.”

He looked at her, his blue eyes tempestuous with emotion. Then his lips tugged upward and he caught her hand, pulling it to his lips. “He may no’ be mine by blood, but he is in all the other ways that count.” He leaned forward and traced his lips lightly over hers. “And I love him as much as if he were mine, Mairi, just as I love ye.”

For a moment, she just sat there dumbfounded. She couldn’t comprehend that he had actually said the words.

He backed away a little, searching her gaze, his smile growing. “Ye are so endearing when ye be discomfited. Ye did the same tae me when ye said those very words today.”

She blinked rapidly, feeling the tears burning her eyes. “Aye, I love ye, Connell—” Her voice cracked and she swallowed. He loved her. He actually said the words. “I feared ye were no’ ready tae hear those words, but I had tae tell ye just the same.”

“I didna ken I was ready until I heard them.” He caught a tear that managed to escape and trickle down her cheek. “And I realized I was ready tae speak them . . . and more.”

“More?” she asked in confusion.

Connell moved off the divan. On his knees he moved directly in front of her and cupped her face in his right hand, searching her gaze. “Mairi?” he murmured softly. “I made this for ye.” He lifted his free hand and opened his fingers. A gold ring sparkled on his palm. “Will ye marry me?”

She gasped and stared at the ring in shock. It was a delicate, thin band of gold with artful knot work entwined around it. At first it appeared simple in its design, but the more she looked, the more amazing, intricate details came to light. It weaved and interlocked, wrapping around both sides of the band in places. It was subtle; only if one really looked did the complexity come to light, and it was breathtakingly beautiful. The gold reflected the firelight, but then it scattered as her vision blurred. Her tears suddenly escaped her control.

“Connell, ’tis the most exquisite ring I’ve ever seen.” She looked up at him in sheer disbelief. “Ye . . . ye truly want tae marry me?”

His smile grew, and his fingers caught another tear on her cheek. “I’ve ne’er been so certain of anything in my life. I love ye, Mairi, and I want ye tae be my wife in truth, and I want Adam tae be my son.”

She flung her arms around his neck, sobbing in earnest. “Oh God, Connell . . . aye! I will marry ye. I love ye so much.”

He chuckled, holding her tightly and kissing her cheek, allowing her to regain control of herself. It was a hard-fought battle, but she finally won, although her tears continued to stream down her face. She pulled away, trying to dry her tears but failing.

Connell took her left hand in his. “I want ye tae wear this,” he said, sliding the ring on her finger. “Because our situation poses a challenge.”

She was certain she was dreaming and stared at the ring on her finger.

He gently brushed her tears away. “Please dinna cry.”

“I’m so happy I canna help it.”

He chuckled again. “Verra well, as long as they be tears of joy.”

“They are.”

“Come here.” He returned to the divan and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. “When yer tears stop, we’ll talk about the rest.”

The rest didn’t matter. Connell loved her and wanted to marry her.
That
was all that mattered.

HHH

His sweet little lass was falling apart, but she was still smiling through her tears. She just seemed to struggle controlling them. He had not realized this would impact her so powerfully, but now that he thought about it, what else had he expected? Seeing her so happy warmed his heart. They would have to be careful about how they progressed, but at least now she knew his heart—and it was thanks to her that he could finally look toward the future.

Connell gently soothed her as she fought to control her tears, but every time she looked at the ring on her finger, she started crying again. Perhaps she needed a diversion. He caught her hand wearing the ring and held it. “Ye ken why I want ye tae wear this?” he asked, pressing his lips against her temple as he held her close.

“I should ken,” she said after a moment, “but I fear I canna pull a single thought together.”

He chuckled softly, and his fingers tightened on hers. “Everyone thinks we be already married. They wouldna understand if we had a wedding on the church steps.”

She looked up at him, blinking her tears away. He caught a brief glimpse of disappointment in her eyes when she realized she could not have a proper wedding, that her friends would not be able to share in her joy.

“I wish I could give ye the grandest wedding in all of Edinburgh. I am so verra sorry, Mairi.”

“Nay, Connell,” she said, quickly recovering. “It isna important . . . ye and Adam are what be important tae me.” She thought for a moment. “Besides, I already had a wedding when I married my first husband—and honestly, it was more trouble than it was worth.”

“Are ye saying that just tae make me feel better?”

She shook her head, and her lips curved upward in the mischievous smile he loved. “Nay, I be saying that tae make me feel better.”

He laughed. “Och, my bonny lass has returned.” She joined his laugh and finally seemed to return to her normal self.

“So if we canna have a wedding upon the church steps, what are we tae do?”

“It will take a bit of time, Mairi, but if I can increase my tithe tae the church, I should find a priest willing tae marry us in private.”

“How long do ye think that will take?”

“I hope it willna be long.” He paused and grinned at her. “I ken ye dinna want me tae make ye wait until Christmas.”

He was surprised to see her face turn bright red. “Ye werena the only one who got tae open a present . . . or two . . .”