Sin looked away.
Callie swallowed her nervousness. Would his hatred of her cousin spill over onto her? There was no doubt that Sin had no use whatsoever for David, but she couldn’t imagine why. Davey had been nothing but kind to her when she had lived at his court.
“And Dermot and Jamie’s mother?” he asked.
“She was a very young shepherdess. I was Jamie’s age when my father met her after my mother died. He fell in love and married her within a month’s time.”
Sin’s gaze dropped to his trencher. “Do you remember your mother?”
Callie smiled as happiness welled up inside her. It always did that when she remembered her mother. “Aye. She was beautiful and kind. An angel. I was only five when she passed, but I remember so much of her.”
She saw the sadness in his eyes.
“What of you? Tell me of your mother.”
“What about your stepmother?” he asked, instead of answering her question. “Was she kind to you?”
What a peculiar question, but then given the way most people looked upon stepparents, maybe it wasn’t so strange after all. “Morna is wonderful. You’ll like her much, I think. She’s been trying to find me a husband.”
He frowned at that. “Why haven’t you married before now?”
Callie drew in a deep breath as she thought about it. In truth, she’d always wanted to be a wife and mother. She could think of nothing better than having a home filled with children.
“My betrothed died before we married,” she whispered, “then my father died before I had a chance to look for another. Since his death, I haven’t wanted to even consider it for fear someone would use me to try and take control of the clan from my uncle.”
“Peace is important to you.”
“Very much so. I’ve lost enough of my family. I’ve no wish to lose more.”
His black gaze searched hers and she saw the respect he felt for her. It warmed her greatly. “You’re very wise, Caledonia.”
“Callie.” She smiled gently. “My family and friends all call me Callie.”
Sin stared at her, amazed she would offer him her nickname. In that moment, he could almost let himself dream of a life with her. Of sharing endless nights like this.
But in his heart, he knew better. He wasn’t the kind of man a woman like this needed.
“Do you want children?” The question slipped out before he could stop it.
She blushed. “Aye. I would love to have dozens of them.”
His groin tightened at the thought. At the moment, he would love to offer his services, but that was another thing he could never do.
“And you?” she asked. “How many children do you want?”
“None.”
“Not even a son?”
He shook his head. “I don’t want any children. Ever.”
“Why?”
Sin clenched his teeth. He didn’t want children because he refused to bring anyone so defenseless into this bitter world. Look at her brother. Her father was dead and Jamie and her were both left to the hands of his enemies.
He would never take such a chance. Never allow a child of his to suffer.
“Men like me don’t father children.”
