Page 32 of To Charm a Highlander

“I want ye to see what yer son did when Jonet left the kitchen for only a few minutes to gather some items from the larder.”

Haydon burst out laughing.Based on Ainslee’s frown, ‘twas not the response his wife had wanted.He reached out and pulled the lad close to him, even though his front was now covered with flour himself.“What were ye doing, lad?”

“Baking a cake.”

“Yer a tad young to be baking cakes.”He looked up at Ainslee.“Where is Jenny?”

“The lass came down with a fever, so I’ve been trying to keep track of all four of yer bairns.”

“Ach.Why is it when they’re in trouble, they becomemybairns?”

“For the verra same reason that ye laughed like a fool when I dragged Alasdair in here.If ye think this is so amusin’ mayhap I should bring the four of them in here so they can entertain ye.”

Haydon’s grin faded and he held up his hand.“Nay.”

Despite his messy state, he pulled his son onto his lap.“Ye ken yer no’ supposed to go into the kitchen, aye?‘Tis a dangerous place for a lad and ye could seriously hurt yerself.”

Alasdair pushed his thumb into his mouth and bent his head.“Aye.”

Haydon lifted the lad’s chin with his finger.“Then stay up in the nursery where ye canna get into trouble.”Haydon looked at Ainslee.“See if ye can get one of the maids to help ye out.”

She nodded and sighed.“Come here, Alasdair.Ye need to be cleaned up and ‘tis growing close to yer nap time.”

“Before ye leave, wife, I want ye to ken that ye will be making wedding plans verra soon.”

She lifted the messy child into her arms.“Donella?”

“Aye.I’m giving permission to Callum to ask for her hand.I have no reason to believe she will turn him down.”

“What about the offer from The Gunn?”

“I ne’er considered it but was interested to see how Callum and Donella felt about it.”

Ainslee raised her eyebrows.“And?”

“They both emphatically—without being disrespectful to their laird—reacted negatively to it.”

His wife smiled.“Aye, ‘tis high time we had a wedding.As soon as Donella tells me she is betrothed, I shall get with Jonet and plan the wedding feast.”

Haydon laughed.“Give the lad time to offer his proposal and Donella to accept it.”

“Ach.Hewill andshewill.”With those words, she left the room, mumbling to Alasdair who only smiled at her.

* * *

The great hallwas filled with clanfolk, loud, boisterous warriors and the Sutherland family.Empty platters and trenchers covered the tables.With a bit of nervousness, Callum stood and walked to where the Sutherlands were all seated.

He reached his hand out toward Donella.“Care to take a stroll, lass?”

She nodded and stood, taking his hand.They seemed to gain the notice of her family and others in the great hall as they walked toward the door.They stepped into the inner bailey.“’Tis a beautiful night.”

“Aye, I agree, lass, but the beautiful part of the night is ye.”

“There ye go again.I donna think I am beautiful.”

He moved them so they were again out of view of the warriors on duty and anyone leaving the great hall.He turned her towards him and cupped her cheeks.“Aye, ye are beautiful, but I won’t argue the point with ye.I’d rather do this.”He lowered his head and his lips joined hers.Her lips were sweet, warm, and plump.

So as not to upset her like the last time, he kept his tongue in his mouth and just enjoyed the feel of her sweetness.He pulled back and rested his forehead on hers.“Ach, love, yer lips drive me crazy.”