meant to give him guidance and teach him about what is expected of him and what the clans, both Ross and Grant, expect of him in the coming years. Nothing more.”
Alasdair settled in Kenzie’s arms, and she stole a peek at his sweet little face, smiling when she saw that he’d fallen asleep. “But surely, if you aspire to have a child one day yourself, you’d wish to hold your own baby. How could you not want to hold this sweet bundle of love, if only to practice?”
Athol snorted, which, considering her status as a lady, wasn’t at all ladylike. But something told Kenzie that the woman before her said one thing in front of those who would be influenced by her but then did quite another.
“When I marry, I will have children, as is my duty as a wife, but that is all, for that is what is expected of me.” Athol walked over to the change table and ran her hand across the wood, her expression one of boredom.
“I’m sorry Athol, but that sounds very cold.” Kenzie wanted to say more, but she chose not to. All of them were guests of Ben’s, and she didn’t want to start an argument with a woman who came from a clan that wasn’t the most placid in Scotland.
Athol shrugged, not seeming to care what Kenzie said. A sound at the door made Kenzie start and expecting the wet-nurse she turned only to see Ben leaning on the doorframe. His smile left Kenzie breathless and for a time she wasn’t able to form any words.
“You’re a natural,” he said, coming up to her and kissing his son’s head. The gesture was extremely intimate, and Kenzie didn’t miss the annoyance that crossed Athol’s face.
“I was just telling Kenzie what a sweet boy ye have. May I hold him, Ben? Kenzie wasn’t sure if I should or not since I’ve never done so before.”
“I never—”
“Pass him to me,” Athol said, holding out her arms. “Or should I sit. Mayhap sitting would be best,” she said, moving to the chair and making herself comfortable.
“Do ye mind, lass?” Ben asked, rubbing his son’s back.
Kenzie adjusted her hold on Alasdair but reluctantly handed him to Athol, who, interestingly, was more than willing to hold the baby, now that Ben was in the room. The change of heart wasn’t missed on her, and it only solidified what Kenzie had wondered about before. Athol was conniving and said things that would help her own cause. She had no wish to hold the child, and seeing the little boy now squirming left Kenzie with a sense of triumph.
As expected, the baby became uncomfortable with the woman holding him uneasily. She did look awkward. Even Ben looked pained. The wet-nurse entered and offered to take the babe, who Athol was only too happy to relinquish.
“I suppose it’s time for dinner. May I walk with you down to the great hall, Ben?”
Ben nodded and looked to Kenzie. “Are ye coming, lass?
About to join them, Kenzie paused when Athol waved her away. “Kenzie will be down shortly. You said you wished to relieve yourself first before the meal.” Athol threw her a consoling look. “Mayhap you should see the castle healer if you’re having pains in the stomach.”
Mortified, Kenzie’s face suffused with heat, and she snapped her mouth shut before she told this high-and-mighty lady what she could do with her smart mouth. What the hell was Athol’s problem?
“Are ye well, Kenzie? Did ye want me to send the healer up to ye room?” Ben let go of Athol’s arm, and it warmed her blood to see annoyance on Athol’s face. What an awful person she was to lie, and right before her without a flicker of guilt.
“I’m fine, but I do wish to freshen up.”
Ben nodded and left with Athol without so much as a glance back at her. Kenzie glared at the now vacant doorway. Okay, Athol, if this is how you want to play the game, all’s fair in love and war.
Dinner that evening was odd. Ben sat between Athol and Kenzie and normally, being placed between two such beautiful women would’ve warmed his blood, but this evening it was like sitting between two warring clans.
Something had changed since the Grant’s arrival earlier today, for now Kenzie and Athol didn’t seem to agree or get along about anything at all. Not about the food or drink. What Kenzie liked, Athol disliked, and she even went so far as to