In Scot Water - Caroline Lee Page 0,52
the day I die that St. Thomas Aquinas was watching over both of us that day. What other explanation is there for the fact I happened to be passing that burn just when ye needed me?”
“Ye likely saw it as a chance to manipulate me into marriage.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, and full of bitterness.
“I wasnae thinking of marriage. I was thanking all the saints in Heaven I’d gotten to ye in time.”
Her shoulders slumped. “I was as well.”
Malcolm swallowed and risked a step toward her. “I planned on going to yer croft with the intention of offering ye marriage. Arrogant fool that I was, I kenned ye’d be so grateful to be saved from squalor, ye’d say yes immediately.”
Evelinde snorted softly, her shoulders turned just a bit toward him, as if she were offering him an opportunity. An opportunity to make himself look even worse, mayhap?
“But by the second day there, I was glad I hadn’t offered immediately, Evie. It gave me the chance to observe ye, to see ye for ye, and no’ what ye were.”
Now she turned completely, frowning. “What do ye mean?”
“Before I met ye, ye were just a widow with two sons, living in deplorable circumstances. That’s yer role. But when I kenned ye, I realized who ye really are, Evelinde. Ye’re strong and brave, despite yer stature. Ye’re kind and caring and more generous with yer love than anyone I’ve ever kenned.”
Her beautiful green eyes sparkled with unshed tears, and when he stepped toward her this time, she didn’t back away.
“I didnae expect to fall in love with my wife. And I definitely didnae expect to fall in love with her so quickly.”
“Ye love me?” she whispered.
“How could I no’?” He stepped up to her, and very carefully, lifted one hand to her cheek. When she didn’t pull away, he wiped at her tear with the pad of his thumb. “Evie, ye’re all those things and more. And the lads!” He grinned wryly as he shook his head. “I hadn’t thought of them at all, truthfully. But then I got to ken them. Liam is as smart and funny as ye are, and I love how eager he is to learn new things. He reminds me of myself.”
“Ye were obsessed with penises at his age?”
At Liam’s age, he’d been obsessed with staying alive, as well as he could recall. He’d had no time to waste on education, even if it was un-gentlemanly subjects. “We call them sausages, if ye dinnae mind,” he said in a haughty tone, which wrenched a reluctant smile from her. “And Tomas! He’s just a bairn, aye, but how can I no’ love such a sweet lad? A bairn who looks up at me so trustingly?”
“He spit up on ye.”
“Many times, aye, but that’s what bairns do, so Liam assures me.” He tried for a grin. “Evie, when ye agreed to marry me, they became mine, the same as ye did.” Before she could pull away, he caressed her cheek again and continued in a soft voice, “And I became yers. All of yers. I’ll be the best father I can manage, because I love them.”
Another tear spilled down her cheek and across his hand.
“Even Nanny has found a place in my heart.” At the sound of her name, the dog woofed and lifted her head. “She’ll never want for sausages, as long as we’re living here in the castle.”
The mention of sausages had Evelinde’s lips twitching, but then her expression fell again. “And if ye dinnae become laird, Malcolm?” she asked hollowly.
Why? Because she didn’t bear him a son? Or because she would be leaving him, and the marriage unconsummated?
But all he could do was tell the truth.
He dropped his hand to her shoulder, then ran both his hands down her arms to take her hands in his. “Evelinde Oliphant, ye and the lads are all I dream of now. I believed I would be a good laird, and if God and the saints see fit to send the two of us another son before my brothers, then I would lead the Oliphants with as much wisdom as I can manage.”
“And if He doesnae?”
Malcolm squeezed her hands and held her gaze. “Then I will still be just as content, Evie, because I have ye and Liam and Tomas. And aye, even Nanny. And mayhap, one day, more children. If ye want them all to stay here in this chamber, then I suppose I can learn to