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“This is yer uncle James,” Malcolm answered.
The lass tilted her head to one side and considered him solemnly. “The one that grandmother lights candles fer in chapel and prays will come home?”
“Aye, and my prayers have at long last been answered,” his mother replied. She appeared again at his side, clutching James’s arm tightly, as though she feared he would disappear. Guilt speared him for the worry he had caused her.
Aileen pulled her son onto the dais. Everyone shifted chairs to make room for him and somehow James ended up sitting between his mother and Davina.
He felt Davina stiffen, then she became fascinated by the contents of her trencher, looking through the various bits as though she had never before seen food.
“Where are Katherine and Graham?” James asked, hoping a glimpse of his other siblings would distract him from the emotions he was feeling being so near Davina.
“Graham is training with clan Morgan. He’ll be with them until spring. Katherine has made a pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Blessed Mother in Inverness,” his mother replied. “She’ll be returning in a week or so to celebrate Christmas.”
“And Margaret?” he asked, wondering about Malcolm’s wife.
The smile on his mother’s face melted away. “Gone, a year this past summer. ’Twas a powerful fever that took her from us.”
James’s brows drew tightly together. “I’m sorry fer yer loss, Malcolm.”
His brother looked momentarily regretful, but then his gaze suddenly shifted to Davina. “It was a sad blow, but it’s been hardest on my poor Lileas, growing up without a mother. ’Tis a lack I hope to rectify soon.”
James speared a large chunk of venison and shoved it in his mouth to avoid saying something he’d regret. He glanced over at Davina and saw the hint of discomfort, along with a dash of confusion on her face.
“It has been a rather long day.” Davina abruptly stood. “If ye will excuse me, I should like to retire.”
His mother nodded and Davina turned. Somehow the hem of her gown became tangled and she stumbled. James reached for her, but Malcolm was there first. He gave James a quelling look and placed his arm protectively around Davina’s shoulders.
She allowed it, but only until she found her footing. She lowered herself to a graceful curtsy, then scurried away as though she were being chased by demons. James refused to watch her retreat, refused to be concerned over how her shoulders dropped and her eyes clouded with emotion.
The table became eerily quiet once she was gone. Odd, how Davina seemed to take the very air with her. Craving a distraction, James signaled for more wine. As he raised the goblet to his lips, he felt the heavy weight of a measured stare. Snapping his neck around, he met the excited eyes of his niece. She had moved to sit in Davina’s seat and was now openly gawking at him.
“Shouldn’t ye also be going off to bed?” he growled.
The lass shrunk back at his gruff tone, but quickly recovered, lifting her shoulders and puffing out her small chest. “I’m not sleepy,” she replied forcefully. “Why do ye have two dirks in yer belt? Papa and Grandpapa and Gilroy only have one. Do ye really need to have two? And why are ye dressed all in black? Nurse says black is the devil’s color. Are ye the devil?”
James lifted his goblet higher, hiding his smile. Seeing his amusement would only encourage her and the child was already too bold by half. “If ye keep asking me rude questions, ye might be very sorry to hear the answers.”
Lileas’s mouth turned down in thoughtful silence. ’Twas far too cryptic a response for a young child to understand, but achieved the desired effect of silencing her.
But the quiet didn’t last. She tugged insistently on his sleeve and then in a cheerful voice announced, “Lady Davina is the most beautiful lady I ever saw. I like her smile. She’s going to be my new mama.”
James choked on his wine.
“Goodness, are ye still spouting that bit of nonsense?” the McKenna shouted.
“Aye, when my Lileas gets something into her pretty little head, there’s no getting it out,” Malcolm replied fondly.
Reaching over, his brother began to tickle the lass and she shrieked with laughter. “Ye promised me, Papa,” Lileas huffed, between giggles. “I want a mama.”
“And ye shall have one, Poppet,” Malcolm answered, swinging the child up in his arms. “But fer now,’tis off to bed with ye.”
Malcolm brought the lass to his mother and father, and they each kissed her fondly on the forehead. James could sense his brother pausing beside his chair, but he refused to look up until he heard Malcolm turn away.
He watched his brother’s retreating back. Lileas’s arms were wrapped tightly around her father’s neck, her chin resting on his shoulder as she stared out at the dais.
James unintentionally caught her eye. Her face scrunched together and then she stuck her tongue out at him. He nearly mimicked the gesture before catching himself.
“Gracious, that child is a handful,” his mother remarked cheerfully. “Perhaps it would be a good idea fer Malcolm to remarry.”
