In Scot Water (The Hots for Scots Book 4) by Caroline Lee

Author:Caroline Lee [Lee, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-08-05T16:00:00+00:00

The rains broke the following day, which was good, because Malcolm was getting damned tired of the same porridge and oatcakes. He didn’t complain, because he could tell Evelinde and Liam were used to the bland fare, and because he remembered what it was like to live on barely enough.

But he vowed that, this evening at Oliphant Castle, they’d fall asleep with their bellies full.

“Is this the last of it?” He was fully dressed for the first time in days—his boots had long ago dried out, but he hadn’t risked putting them back on—and was busy tying bags behind the horse’s saddle. “I can carry these three, but with me walking and ye and the lads riding, ‘twill still take us hours to make it to the castle.”

She shook her head as she held a bundle—it looked like the blanket he’d worn, wrapped around her spare dress—in place as he tied it. He planned on commissioning a new wardrobe for her, but he wasn’t going to begrudge her bringing her possessions into this marriage.

“Nay— I mean, aye, this is the last of it. But I can walk, Malcolm. I’m strong.” Her chin did that cute mulish pout thing. “I carry Tomas to market, and we walk.”

She glanced over to where Liam was running through the fields with Nanny, her eyes lingering on the garden she’d planted and tended so faithfully.

Finishing the tie, he placed his hand on hers. “Ye’re one of the strongest women I ken, Evie. I ken ye can walk, but the horse is strong enough to carry ye, and ‘twill make me happy to ken ye’re no’ exhausting yerself. Especially since ye havenae been sleeping well these past two nights.”

When she began to protest again, he winked, and her mouth snapped closed with a blush. He waggled his brows at her, and she rolled her eyes, her lips reluctantly curling up.

“I dinnae mind being kept awake, if ye’re the one doing it,” she admitted.

“ ’Tis the best excuse for no’ sleeping I’ve ever had.”

‘Twas the truth. The last two nights in her arms had been… Well, despite his one-time calling to the Church, he was not particularly devout. But the pleasure he’d found in her arms had to be close to Heaven.

More than the sexual fulfillment, ‘twas the warmth which grew in his chest when she smiled, or the way he wanted to help her. Being with her brought him joy.

He squeezed her hand. “I ken ‘twill be hard to leave this place, but I hope ye are looking forward to a new life, sweet.”

“I am, truly.” She sighed. “I just wish I kenned the animals would be safe.”

“We cannae take them, no’ today.” They were already courting danger by heading out during what could be only a short break in the storms. “But I swear I’ll send someone back to tend to them. Surely there’s a crofter nearby who would be grateful for a cow and some chickens.”

“Could ye no’ use them in yer home? I ken ye’re a scholar, Malcolm, but everyone needs milk and eggs and meat.

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