Page 100 of Her Accidental Highlander Husband

The frail woman before him pulled one of her hands out from under the weight of his, and to his utter shock, she rested it on top of his hand in a gesture of comfort. She cleared her throat in that regal manner of hers and straightened her already stiff spine. “I suppose we can share a meal. However, I’ll not tell any stories.”

“Of course,” he agreed, and leaned over to place a kiss on her gnarled knuckles. “Thank you, Your Grace.”

Knowing she wouldn’t want the attention, he gave a quick bow and left the room to go comfort his wife.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Mari sat in the seat next to the window and tucked her feet under her. It was raining, but even as she sat there, the sound against the glass changed to the faint tinkle of ice.

Eventually the door opened, and Cam came in to sit next to her.

“It’s all worked out. She’s agreed to allow our celebration.”

“It was never about that.”

“I know.” He pulled her tight against him. “But it’s the one thing I can do, so I’ll thank ye to pretend to be impressed that I’ve done it.”

She let out a laugh despite not being in the mood for levity. That was Cam. He always knew how to make her happy. Even when she didn’t want to be.

“You’re going to be a splendid father.”

“Well, if I’ve managed to win over the miserable old goat, I should have a fair chance at earning the respect of a more reasonable person.”

“You think a child from your stock would be reasonable?”

He laughed once and kissed her temple. “Vixen.”

She placed her hand on his face and looked into those honey eyes. “Thank you. For taking care of it. The day means more to me than it should.”

“I understand.” He took her hand and placed a kiss to her palm before putting it back on his cheek. “I’ll do anything for ye, love. You have only to ask.”

“I know. I’m so glad you’re here.”

He nodded but didn’t say anything.

She knew he didn’t want to be there. He would rather be back at Dunardry preparing the great hall for the holiday feast. The strength it must take for him to remain silent was more impressive than watching him wield his sword or move a pile of large rocks with his bare hands.

That night he held her close, and she asked what they would be doing back home. He went into great detail, sharing tales of the preparations at Dunardry, past and present, until she fell asleep.

The next day they spent as others in the city were doing, quietly celebrating the holiday in the privacy of their homes. After a hearty dinner with the quiet dowager, they sat and read stories in the library in front of the fire.

Mari closed the book she’d been reading, and Cam set something on her lap. It was a horribly embroidered handkerchief that could have only fallen victim to the hands of her sister. “Kenna surely sent this,” she said, overwhelmed with love and amusement.

He laughed. “Aye. She made the handkerchief, but the thing inside it is from me. I wrote and had her send it to me.”

Mari unwrapped the bundle to find a silver locket shimmering in the light by the fire.

“It belonged to my mother.”

She wanted to tell him to keep it, that it was a waste to give it to her, but she didn’t. There was no place for sadness on this day. Instead, she smiled and happily fastened it around her neck.

“These are not for you, but for the babe.” He held out a wooden box. She opened it to find an assortment of wooden animals. Some were smoothed and painted. A few were still raw wood, and it was clear they weren’t completed.

“I still need to finish the cattle. And the wee mouse.”

Mari picked up a rabbit and smiled at the detail, including a tail and a pink nose. “An elephant!” she exclaimed. “I saw one two summers ago.”

“Do I have it right? I remembered you telling me of seeing it. I thought it fascinating and wondered if it was a real creature.”