The Kiss at Midnight by Sue-Ellen Welfonder

Author:Sue-Ellen Welfonder
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: 0
Published: 2018-01-27T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 5

SEVERAL DAYS LATER, STONY BAY, NORTH OF ABERDEEN

“I wish you’d brought Wiggle.”

Greyson blinked, turning his attention back to the woman who’d spoken. He’d been staring at the flames in her kitchen fire, a large stone hearth at the far end of the room. In truth, he’d been even more distant in his mind, his thoughts on his recent visit from Devorgilla of Doon. He’d almost convinced himself the mysterious old woman hadn’t called at Gannet House.

That he’d napped after removing Priddy’s wood panels and had simply dreamt the encounter.

He wished that were so.

Sadly, he knew she’d been real.

Leastways as real as a half-mythic Highland cailleach can be. And now he knew his Samhain Eve beauty was also real. Miss Raines, by name. He’d discovered where she lived, something he’d been trying so hard to do. If only to convince himself she hadn’t been spun of Samhain magic. Far from enchanted, her life, it seemed, was as out of sorts and contorted as his own. For that reason, he’d spent the last few days trying to forget her. He might not qualify as the man to grab a shining sword, swing up onto a white charger, and ride off to rescue a ‘princess in a tower,’ but he did carry the honor and pride of his ancient warrior ancestors.

Good Highland men didn’t ruin their ladies’ lives.

They didn’t toss fat onto already burning flames.

The lass … Miss Raines … would be better served without him. Her aunt was sympathetic. The woman would surely not allow her to be made entirely miserable.

“Greyson…” A soft tap on his elbow made him blink up at Kirsty Muir, widow of his lifelong friend, Patrick, who’d gone down with the Silver Thistle. “Why do I think you are just as absent as your darling squirrel?”

“My apologies.” Greyson blinked, embarrassed that he hadn’t even noticed that she’d stood and come around the table. Was he so distracted? “I’ve been working hard,” he said, realizing he hadn’t even touched the oven-warm scones and oatcakes she’d placed before him. “I suppose I’m tired.”

“I am not surprised.” Kirsty frowned, a crease appearing between her brows. The only line to mar her face, though Greyson knew she was now well into her thirties.

“Neither am I,” Greyson admitted. “It cannae be helped.”

“You should marry,” she said, pouring him a cup of steaming tea. “It isn’t natural for a man to be alone.”

“I would rather see you happy again.” Greyson ignored her quip – and the way her words made his pulse jump.

As if she’d peered into his heart, knew the dragons he’d been battling of late.

“I am content.” Kirsty returned to her side of the table, took her seat. “It was a blessing to know such a great love as Patrick and I shared. I do not need another.”

This time Greyson frowned, guilt as always lancing him. “I miss him, too,” he said, his old friend’s face flashing before him. Kirsty should not have to live without him.

Praise the gods, she seemed to manage.

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