In Scot Water - Caroline Lee Page 0,50

in the solar, but here were the books he’d collected over the years. Here was where he’d always slept, and where he now hung his sword. He and Rocque had shared this room, until Rocque had moved into the barracks with the other warriors, and now this space was all Malcolm’s own.

Except… Except there was Evelinde’s spare gown, hanging from a peg on the wall. There was her sewing bundle, sitting beside wee Tomas’s basket, on the trunk. I need to hang that, if the bairn is to be sharing a room with us. There was the pallet she’d made up for Liam, with the lad’s carved wooden toys spread around it. And there was the bowl of water she’d put out for Nanny, who now followed Malcolm into the room, her tail pressed close to her rear legs as she sniffed in the corners.

He’d only been married one day.

It had only been one night…and this was no longer his chamber.

Now this space, this room, belonged to them all.

My family.

This was his family’s space, and would forever be, even if he did convince Evelinde to let the lads sleep in the nursery with Nanny.

While Malcolm washed, the dog sniffed at Liam’s makeshift bed, then turned in a circle and lay down, her nose resting on her forelegs, as if she didn’t want to go to sleep and miss something important.

Something important, like her mistress leaving me.

Malcolm swallowed. Nay. Nay, he couldn’t let that happen. If Evelinde took the boys and left him, she’d take a big part of his heart with her.

I love her. I love them all.

Slapping the rag down into the basin, Malcolm stared at the dog.

“I love them.”

Nanny lifted her head and blew out a little puff from her nose, as if answering him. Did she not believe him? So be it.

Evie’s the one who must believe me.

Now full of purpose, he yanked his shirt back on, his mind racing with what he could say to make Evelinde understand the depths of his feelings. He was heading for the door when it opened on its own account.

“Evie?” How’d she know he was here?

And then he saw her expression, and his heart dropped.

There were tear marks on her cheeks, and her hands were clenched into fists at her side. She’d stopped suddenly when she saw him in the room, and now she slowly turned and pushed the door closed behind her. For privacy?

All Malcolm knew was that it meant she was willing to listen to him.

“Evelinde,” he tried again, “I was coming to look for ye.”

She crossed her arms. “And why was that, Malcolm? Were ye coming to tell me why ye married me? Tell me about how ye picked me from a ledger and decided to marry me because I was a good breeder? Were ye coming to tell me how ye only married me so that ye’d become laird when I birthed ye another son?”

“Aye.”

When her eyes widened, Malcolm winced.

“I mean, nay. Aye, I was coming to tell ye about Da’s ultimatum, but nay, ‘tisnae why I married ye.”

A muscle ticked in her jaw as she unfolded her arms long enough to point one long, delicate finger his way. “I think ye’re full of shite, Malcolm Oliphant.”

Had he ever heard her curse before? He reared back as she took a step forward.

“Aye! Ye’re full of shite! Yer father’s ultimatum was exactly why ye married me!”

“Evie, ye must believe me—”

“Why?” She was in high dungeon now, stalking across the room toward him. “Why must I believe ye?” she shrieked. “Ye’ve lied to me before—”

“Nay.” Trying to keep his tone calm, Malcolm waited until she was near enough to poke him in the chest, then he wrapped his hand around her outstretched finger to hold her in place. “I didnae lie to ye, Evie. I apologize for neglecting to tell ye who my father was. I really thought I had.”

“Ye lied.” Her gorgeous green eyes blazed.

“ ’Twas an accident.”

Sniffing, she pulled her finger from his grip and crossed her arms again. Only this time, she didn’t look as angry…nay, she looked hurt. As if she were huddled around herself.

“Why did ye marry me, Malcolm?”

It was the uncertainty in her tone which damn near killed him.

“Sweet,” he murmured, reaching for her, intent on comforting her.

It was the wrong move, apparently. Instantly, she stepped back, away from him, one hand jerking up once more to ward him off.

“Nay.” Her voice broke. “Just answer the question.”

He stared at the way her