Legacy of the Mist Clans Box Set (95 page)

Though she tried to stifle it, Mairi’s cough worried him. But that concern wasn’t enough to sway his mood. Mairi delighted in each new discovery of their small but pleasant home. The main living area was the largest part of the house. On the left behind the living area was the door to the bedroom, which was surprisingly large. It had a huge bed that could probably sleep three people and a sturdy cradle for Adam. Connell had been glad to note that even though the cradle was near the bed there was still plenty of room to walk around it. To the right of the main living area was a table that could comfortably sit four people. Stretching back from the open dining area, along the wall that formed the back of the bedroom was the kitchen area. It had plenty of cupboards and storage.

“Lassie,” he said softly. “I be off tae market.”

“Give me a moment and I’ll go with ye.”

He frowned slightly. “Are ye sure ye wish tae go out again in this weather?”

“I need tae, Connell. I’ll be the one going tae market almost daily from here on out. I might as well learn where everything is while ye are with me.”

He could appreciate that wisdom and waited while she donned the sling to carry Adam, looping an empty basket she had found in one of the cupboards over her left arm. Connell held the door open for her, locking it behind them, and couldn’t resist offering his arm to her as they left the yard. She smiled up at him and wrapped her right arm firmly about his, walking close to his side.

He was surprised to feel a smile tug at his lips. Connell knew being able to find work so quickly with an established swordsmith, and finding a place for them to live in the same moment, not to mention one so pleasant, was a boon from the Almighty. He had feared they would be forced to let a room for a lengthy amount of time. In Edinburgh, the cost would have bled him dry in a matter of days.

What he found even more delightful was Mairi’s reaction to their good fortune. She had been wonderfully appreciative. He had worried the small cottage would not meet her expectations and was sorely grateful she was happy with the arrangement. Living for a month on the trail then suddenly finding themselves in a city as massive as Edinburgh would take some adjustment, but he was pleased to see Mairi taking to it so readily. He decided he was going to enjoy the rest of their afternoon. Even with the wet and cold weather, he could almost forget the heartache and trials they had both suffered. Almost.

The anguish tried to rise at that thought, but he quickly diverted himself, pointing out various landmarks to Mairi and explaining where the narrow roads led in the crowded city. It would not do to have her get lost when she came to market by herself.

They approached the first merchant booth where a middle-aged man sold fresh fruits and vegetables. Connell was pleased to note he had a fine selection, even though it was well into the afternoon.

“Good morrow,” the man said as they approached.

“Good morrow,” Connell said, “my wife and I be looking for something for our supper tonight.”

“Pray pardon, but did I just see ye in Smith’s yard?”

“Aye,” Connell said and nodded. “I’m the smith’s new apprentice. Connell MacGrigor,” he said and extended his hand.

“Well met,” the man said, gripping his forearm warmly. “I’m Dugal. It be good tae ken Smith has finally found a lad deserving of the role. That position has been coveted by many. But Smith, he’ll no’ be sacrificing quality. He has turned many away he didna think had the skill.”

Connell arched an eyebrow. “Really? I didna ken. We just arrived today.”

“Aye,” Dugal said nodding. “The war has been hard on everyone. Despite the English taking control of the keep, Edinburgh has done well tae avoid the worst of it.” He shot a glance to his left and Connell followed it, noting the English guardsmen standing in the small market square about twenty paces away. Mairi moved closer to him.

“Dinna worry over it,” he whispered softly.

“Yer lassie be prudent nonetheless,” Dugal said.

“Forgive me,” Connell said quickly. “This be my wife, Mairi, and my son, Adam.”

“Well met,” Dugal said, and Mairi inclined her head. Originally in his sling, Adam was awake and now wanting to look around, so Mairi held him against her shoulder. He looked upon everything with wide-eyed amazement.

Dugal seemed to note Adam’s curiosity. “And that be a braw laddie ye have there.”

Connell’s heart twisted in his chest, but he forced himself to smile as any proud father would. “Thank ye.”

“If I may offer a word,” Dugal said.

“Of course.”

“Since ye be at market for yer supper, ye’d do well tae introduce yerself tae as many merchants as ye can. We’ve kenned Smith for years, and any man he hires be worth his salt.” He shot another glance at the guardsmen.

Connell suddenly understood. In order to avoid undue attention from the English guards, he needed to make it quickly known who he worked for and that Mairi was his wife.

“Well met,” he said and nodded. “I thank ye.”

“Och, lad, ye will do well here,” Dugal said and grinned. “Now, what can I be getting ye for yer supper?”

They purchased some leeks along with a few other vegetables and a few fresh herbs Mairi could use for seasoning. Dugal gathered everything neatly, and Connell held their basket open while he placed the items in it.

“Thank ye, Dugal.”

“Anytime. If there be any thing ye need and I dinna have it, just ask. Most likely I will be able tae get it for ye.”

“Perhaps ye might suggest a good merchant tae purchase a chicken or game bird for the pot.”

Dugal grinned broadly. “Now that be Hamish, two booths over. But mind ye, he’ll haggle ye right out of yer boots.”

Connell laughed. “Thank ye, I’ll keep that in mind. Until anon.” He shook hands with Dugal again and guided Mairi down the way.

The small square wasn’t actually a square, more like a triangle where three roads met. The one they were on led from their new home into merchant square and then diverged toward the port; a second road started from the merchant area and led deeper into the south part of the city, and the third into its center.

Merchant buildings and open booths lined the small square, and people loitered about chatting. Sometimes a heavily laden wagon trundled through with the drovers barking at people to move aside. Connell noted the faster moving ones rarely slowed down for anything. Fortunately, people seemed to pay attention or were quick enough on their feet to move out of the way without mishap.

“Ye need tae watch the roads, lassie,” Connell said and nodded as a team of horses pulling an empty wagon trotted through the square at a good clip, forcing people to leap out of the way. Several men cursed and shouted at the drover, causing the English guardsmen to look their direction. But the wagon continued without mishap and disappeared around a corner. The guardsmen watched the pedestrians for a moment, but when things settled, they returned to their conversation.

Mairi, Connell realized, was not only staring at the guardsmen but she was pressed so firmly against his side that if she were any closer she would be inside his tunic. Her fearful gaze would draw attention in heartbeat.

“Mairi,” he said softly but firmly, moving so that he blocked her view of the guardsmen.

She blinked up at him, her eyes wide. The vein in her neck fluttered rapidly. Connell realized she was fighting with everything she possessed not to listen to her instincts and bolt.

“Hey now,” he said gently and traced a fingertip over her jaw. “Ye need no’ worry over them. Ignore them and they will ignore ye.”

“Are . . . are ye sure? I feel like a have a sign hanging about my neck for all tae see.”

His lips tugged upward. “If ye act like a frightened mouse, then ye will draw their attention. Pretend the guards are something ye see every day.”

“Such as?”

“A horse?” he offered. Another wagon rolled by, and a horse lifted its tail, dropping dung as it walked. “That one will do,” Connell said.

She didn’t expect that and looked at him as if his hair had suddenly turned green.

“Perhaps a dog, then?” He glanced up and saw a stray mongrel lift its leg to urinate on a corner of a building. “There, like that one,” he said and pointed.

Mairi choked back a laugh. Her fear vanished, and her eyes sparkled with mirth as she struggled to keep from laughing aloud.

“Much better,” Connell said, giving her a wink. Carrying their basket in one hand, he looped his arm about her shoulders and guided her to the next booth. They passed the English guardsmen. One man looked up and eyed Mairi as if to note a pretty lass, but then his gaze stopped on Connell. Connell gave him a friendly nod and noticed the man was suddenly no longer interested in Mairi but absolutely engrossed in the conversation of the other guardsmen.

Connell’s jaw tightened, and he made sure she remained firmly tucked against his side.

HHH

It was late by the time they returned home, but the trip to market had been pleasant, and Connell had been glad to meet all the merchants. They would be dealing with them on a daily basis, so it was good to get introductions out of the way. Although he wondered if he might have allayed Mairi’s fears a bit too much. She now struggled to keep a straight face every time they had passed the guardsmen.

“Which be it, lassie?” he had asked. “The horse or the dog?”

“The dog,” she had said and chortled. Fortunately, they were only about fifty paces from home and out of earshot. Well, he was glad to hear her laugh at least. But once again her laughter had ended in a nasty cough.

Connell saw to cleaning areas of the house that required heavy lifting and moving things about while Mairi saw to making their supper. Most meals took a bit of time to prepare, so he was surprised when she called him to the table only an hour later. Instead of throwing the chicken in a pot, she had spitted it and cooked it over the hearth fire.

“Connell, would ye be so kind as tae fetch the spit for me? I fear the wooden handle be missing.”

“Missing?” He noted the bare metal. Usually it was covered with wood so the spit could be turned without burning one’s hand. He took a rag he had been using, wrapping it around the handle so he wouldn’t burn himself, then hefted the bird to the table where he slid it onto the cutting board. He placed the spit in the corner where it could cool so they would be able to clean it.

“I’ll see if I can get that fixed.”

“Thank ye. Now, have a seat. I’ll carve the chicken, and everything should be ready.”

Connell looked at the table. The meal was not extravagant but neither was it wanting in any way. When Mairi sat with him, Connell said grace and served the food. It smelled wonderful, and he found his mouth watering. When he finally took his first bite, the food fair melted in his mouth. He closed his eyes and just savored it for a moment. A month of dried trail rations with only a rabbit or game bird here and there got mighty old, mighty fast.

“Connell?” Mairi asked, her voice soft.

He opened his eyes, startled to see she was watching him worriedly.

“Ye dinna like it?”

He blinked, suddenly realizing he wasn’t the only one who was worried about meeting expectations. He grinned to ease her nerves. “Lassie, Christmas dinner could be no finer.”

She blushed prettily and looked at her plate. “I’m glad ye like it. Ye really havena tasted my cooking, so I was a bit concerned.”

“If this is any indication, I shall have tae be careful or I’ll grow fat.”

She laughed musically, but suddenly stopped and turned her head away, coughing again. Connell watched her in concern, but when she turned back, she was smiling and the worry faded from her dark eyes. “With the work ye will be doing, I doubt that. Now, eat before it gets cold.”

Connell’s pleasant mood stayed with him the remainder of the evening, but soon it was time to retire, and his pleasantness faded in the face of their sudden division.

“Ye most certainly willna sleep on the floor,” Mairi snapped as she put Adam down in his cradle. “The bed be large enough for both of us.”

Connell gritted his teeth. She didn’t understand. He wanted nothing more than to share a bed with her, but he didn’t trust himself. They pretended to be husband and wife, but they weren’t. Yet a man had needs and desires, and Connell was loath to admit he had ignored his for far too long. He knew he could not share a bed with her, not without his body making his desire known. Even now, just thinking about it . . . damnation!

What was even more tempting was that Mairi was a widow. She did not have the same expectations placed on her as a woman who had never been married. He could have her if he wanted, and he most certainly wanted her.

But they were not married in the eyes of God, and Connell would not use her in that fashion. Sating the demands of his body seemed terribly selfish. She deserved a man who would give her his heart, and Connell knew that was one thing he could not give. The pain of his loss haunted him. The memories of the deaths of his wife, Ina, and his son, William, would not stay behind him. His mistakes walked by his side, and until he could make amends, they always would. But how could he?

Until he learned the answer to that question, he would remain with one foot stuck in his past. Mairi did not deserve that.

Stubbornly, he shoved his thoughts down and threw his bedroll on the floor.

Mairi glared at him and folded her arms over her chest. “Connell MacGrigor,” she snapped. “Have ye no’ heard a word I’ve said?”

“I heard ye,” he said tightly. “And I’ll no’ argue with ye. The discussion is over.” He removed his belt and his boots then flopped on the bedroll—on the floor, where he belonged.

“Ohhhh!” she snarled under her breath.

But Connell turned his back to her and pulled his plaid up. He held his breath, wondering if she would continue.

“Ye be lucky I dinna have any eggs,” she muttered.

Abruptly, the memory of when he found her in the chicken coop returned. He had frightened her, and she had resorted to defending herself by tossing eggs at his head. But that had been the day she had accepted his vow to protect her, and he had stood steadfast by her ever since.