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As Bridget scurried from the doorway, Aidan grumbled, “If Gregor were ever here, he’d realize the only course is to marry that brat off and make her some other man’s virago. ”
Elspeth half gasped, half laughed. She’d always envied Bridget her beauty and bold sass, and it was a pleasure to hear her criticized, even if had come from her brother.
“I’ve something to show you,” he said, looking stern. She prepared herself for the worst.
His bundle began to wriggle, and Elspeth straightened in her chair.
“Don’t be afraid,” he ordered.
“No, it’s not …” She hated how he always assumed she was a shrinking miss of a thing. “I’m not scared. ”
“Good. ” He opened the blanket and a tiny puppy burst out, clambering onto the floor.
Elspeth yelped in surprise. The creature was a blur of bushy black fur, with white and brown spots, and a long narrow nose. It was the most darling sight she’d ever seen, but Aidan mistook her reaction and snatched the pup back off the floor. “He’s a bit of a mongrel,” he apologized.
“No, no! He’s a wonder!” She leaned forward in her chair, dying to stretch a hand to where Aidan held the dog in his arms, but too shy to.
“Truly, you think so?” he asked, betraying an unexpected vulnerability.
“I do. ” The notion that she’d been the one called upon to offer reassurance warmed her. “But why on earth do you need a dog?”
“Not why,” he said, sounding gruff once more. “The question is who. Who on earth needs such a dog. ” He nearly threw the pup into her lap. “You do. ”
“I do?” The animal exploded into movement, skittering tiny paws and claws over her skirts, and she nestled his chest in one hand, petting and soothing him with the other. “He’s for me?”
He tossed off her comment. “And who else? I certainly don’t need a sheepdog. ”
“But … me?” Something in her chest clenched. Aidan had thought to give her a gift. Then she remembered the shears, recalling this wasn’t the first present from him. Though why he was so gruff and grudging about it, she couldn’t understand. “You got him for me?”
His eyes lit on her for a moment, looking quizzical. “Yes. For you. We can’t have you managing your flock from the treetops. This beggar will help you drive them to and fro. ”
He’d thought of her enough to bring her such a gift. So many emotions filled her, she thought she might burst. How long had it been since anyone else had given her anything? “What’s his name?”
He shrugged, looking like he could care less. “You tell me, luvvie. ” The pup had grown calm, and Aidan reached over and scruffed him roughly on the head. “Just please, as someone who spent a lifetime being called ‘boy,’ I beg you not call him ‘dog. ’ ”
“I’d never think it. ” She rubbed her hand, burning from where his fingers had brushed hers. “He’s a grand animal in need of a grand name. ” She’d have treasured the dog even if he hadn’t been a gift—though the fact that he’d been from Aidan made him all the more precious. “But where did you find him?”
“I have my sources. It’s a long enough road from here to Aberdeen. ” He leaned back in his chair, looking satisfied. “The pup’s mother was of superlative breeding—a sheepdog all the way from Shetland. Until she had the grave misfortune of having her virtue compromised by a terrier. ”
Elspeth laughed. “A terrier?”
He nodded, mock gravity setting his features. “A terrier. ”
His gruffness was fading, and she loosened in response. Picturing a regal Shetland bitch in coitus with a wee terrier, she laughed again. “Oh my. That must’ve been a sight indeed. ”
“My thoughts precisely. The rest of the litter was claimed, but as this fellow was the runt, the owner had no use for him. ”
She clutched the dozing pup to her breast. “Well, I do. ”
This woke the dog, restoring his energy at once, and he leaped from her lap onto the floor. Elspeth patted her leg. “Come back! We must name you. ” She patted again, but the dog ignored her, too engrossed in sniffing every inch of the dining hall.
“Oh, bother. ” Forgetting her shyness, she simply put two fingers in her mouth and blew. The dog’s ears perked up and he ran straight for her. She scooped him back off the floor, and looked up to find Aidan gaping at her. “What?”
“Your infamous whistle. I’d been hoping to hear it, you know. ”
She blushed to her very toes. Ignoring his comment, she held up her new pet to gaze into his eyes. “I shall call him … Achilles. ”
A laugh burst from Aidan. “Achilles?”
