Scot to the Touch (The Hots for Scots #7) - Caroline Lee Page 0,39
but sometimes I felt like they didnae have much use for me, because I was a lass. But Kiergan…? He and Alistair were born here in the castle, ye ken? They’re the only ones who were around constantly when I was growing up, and Kiergan always genuinely liked me. He’d sit and listen to my complaints and tease me and do everything a big brother should.” She sighed, then waved one hand. “The others did too, but Kiergan is special.”
Smiling slightly, Katlyn nodded. “Aye, he is.” Under the table, she grasped Nessa’s hand. “And so are ye, Nessa. I’m glad he treated ye so sweetly.”
“He’s a good man. He doesnae think he’d make a good leader, but I think he would.”
“I agree,” Katlyn whispered. “He’s good with people and that’s important.”
Nessa leaned closer. “I’ve often wondered what would’ve happened if I’d been born a lad. I’m the youngest, as far as we ken, and—”
“What do ye mean?”
Blinking, as if surprised she had to explain, Nessa said, “I’m the only legitimate offspring of the laird, which has been a right bloody pain in the arse, I dinnae mind saying. Da was in love once, many years ago, with a MacVanish lass. She died before they could be married, and he drowned his sorrows in ale and the arms of many willing lasses, which is why all my brothers are similar in age. He married my mother—who was, by all accounts, a right witch—no’ too long after. So we joke that there might be more bastard brothers out there, but they’re all likely of an age with that lot.” She nodded down the table to where Rocque was arguing loudly with Kiergan, likely about the definition of a joke. “Which means I’d still be the youngest.”
Intrigued now, Katlyn shifted to face Nessa. “But do ye think there truly might be more of yer father’s illegitimate children ye have no’ met?”
Nessa shrugged. “If there are, I hope to God they’re daughters, because it can be damned lonely— Och, nay.” She shook her head. “I’m being maudlin. Growing up with six older brothers was fun at times and frustrating at others. And they’ve brought me five sisters-in-law that I adore.” She smiled, but as Katlyn watched, that smile slipped into a pensive look. “Da scoured Oliphant land, looking for any other bairns he might’ve fathered, and found none.” Her eyes flicked to the head of the table where her father was murmuring into Moira’s ear. “If there’d been any chance of a sister—or even more brothers—farther afield, he would’ve looked. So I suspect these are the only brothers I’ve been cursed with.”
Her tone had turned so wry, Katlyn had to chuckle. “They’re no’ such a bad lot. They made me laugh today—”
Her words cut off with a yelp when she felt a foot brush against hers under the table, then continue up her calf. It didn’t stop, so she kicked it away…and saw her grandfather wince.
The two of them met one another’s eyes across the table—her, likely looking shocked, and him, looking chagrined—and he shrugged.
With a wink, he said, “Sorry, Kat,” and turned his attention back to Agatha.
From the way the older woman giggled, the auld goat was likely now dragging his foot up her leg.
Katlyn pressed her lips together, not certain if she was going to giggle or vomit.
Beside her, Nessa squeezed her hand, and whispered, “I think yer grandfather might be as outrageous as Aunt Agatha. Surely they deserve one another?”
“Mayhap they do,” Katlyn agreed weakly.
From the other end of the table, Kiergan’s voice rose above the din. “Nay, nay, nay, ye thick-headed ox! Stagger doesnae work in that context!”
“Then how about banger? Bang ‘er? I dinnae even ken her!”
“Nay, that doesnae— Wait, actually, that does work.”
The swell of conversation rose to cover their voices, and Nessa stifled a giggle. “Do ye ken what they’re speaking of?”
Katlyn leaned toward her new friend. “Aye, but ye must promise no’ to reveal ‘twas me who told ye. ‘Tis quite naughty.”
Nessa’s eyes twinkled. “My favorite!”
The two of them whispered and giggled all the way through dinner, and Katlyn’s heart felt light. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed having Davina at her side until her sister got all secretive and pouty.
Kiergan was right; Davina was hiding something. ‘Twas not what he suspected, but Katlyn was still concerned. And then there was still the matter of her having to confess about sneaking into his room. What would he do or say when he found out she’d