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Without another word, the two of them settled under the covers of the bed, pulling them up to their shoulders. She lay with her head on his chest, his arms protectively around her, and that was how they fell asleep—happy and together and soothed by the sound of each other’s breaths.
Perhaps, then, I’ll be safe here after all. Perhaps I’ll even be happy.
For now, at least, she could forget the note, forget the threat. For now, at least, she could have peace.
Chapter 18
Pax Optima Rerum
Peace is the Greatest Good
The O’Donnels and Jeanie settled well into their new life at the castle. Annys, especially, was thriving, running around the castle, and befriending the servants as though this was the life she had been born into. Alexander, for his part, was glad that the girl was so comfortable—even if her wildness unnerved some of the older castle residents.
They’re good bairns, the pair o’ them. I’m glad I could give them somewhere to go after all the bad they’ve faced.
Jamie was the more studious of the two, and once or twice, Alexander had even let him sit in on less significant meetings of castle business. To his surprise, the boy didn’t get bored very often—which was astounding; Alexander himself found these meetings terribly dry.
When the twins were together, though, chaos reigned. If Alexander was entirely honest, even while fielding complaints from the older castle staff, he welcomed it. Yes, the children were noisy, and yes, they sometimes seemed to forget that they were no longer on a farm. Yes, they quickly tired of showing deference when there was fun to be had instead.
But it’s nice. It brings life to a home that had forgotten it since me parents died. I welcome it.
And then there was Cicilia.
As always, thinking of her released a torrent of complex emotions to whirl freely in his chest. Since she’d received the note a week before, he’d spent nearly every night in her room—in her bed. The second time he’d gone, he had insisted that he wasn’t there to seduce her.
She’d smiled, laughed, and led him back to bed by the hand.
Am I fallin’ for her? I think I might be. This odd farm lassie may be me undoin’, an’ I’m welcomin’ it wi’ open arms.
He knew that their dalliance would probably never amount to more than what it was. His heart may beat faster every time she smiled, but that didn’t change any of the facts of their lives or their positions. When the renovations were complete, Cicilia would return home to her farm and take her siblings with her.
I can hardly give up the Lairdship to be a farmer—nay, nae even a farmer, but a farmer’s husband. An’ she would never give up her farm for the castle.
It hurt, but it was a peaceful hurt because the present was too sweet to dwell on the future so much. So for now, they never talked of the future, of their feelings and of what, exactly, they were doing. During the day, they were friends, and at night, they were lovers, and there was no need to make it more complex than that.
Even if me heart is beggin’ for me to do so.
While the twins played, the adults spent time together—not just Alexander and Cicilia, but Nathair and Jeanie, too. That was pleasant, as well. Thanks to his duties, it had been quite a while since Alexander had the occasion to spend time with Nathair as just his friend. But now the four of them ate together, laughed together, and told stories together.
“I mind when we were bairns,” Nathair told the girls one night over cups of wine. “An’ Sandy, mind, he’s always been the proper sort. His big sister, Catherine, used to take us out together, try an’ get the wee lad out his shell. So I convinced him, aye, to play a jape on Catherine while she was at the market stall gettin' us a couple o’ sweet buns.”
“A jape?” Cicilia asked with a grin. “What kind?”
“Dinnae leave out the most important part,” Alexander interrupted. “About how ye, aged all o’ ten, had already made up yer mind that ye were gonnae wed our Catherine.”
“Och, really!” Jeanie declared, mock-offended. She was on the floor, leaning against Nathair’s legs while he sat on the chair, and he affectionately played with her hair. “Should I be jealous, then?”
Truth be told, their open affection made Alexander a little jealous. Yes, he and Cicilia sat close together on the couch, but he didn’t dare put his arm around her or place any physical claim on her outside of their nightly meetings.
It wouldnae be proper. An’ I wouldnae want to offend her. If she wanted me to treat her like we had somethin’, she’d let me ken. Would she nae?
Nathair snorted. “Nay, Jeanie, for Catherine may be bonny, but she cannae hold a candle to yer charms.”
“That’s me sister ye’re talkin’ about,” Alexander reminded him, amused. “An’ dinnae mistake him for gallant, Jeanie. Catherine’s been wed for decades.”
Playing along, Cicilia gasped. “Oh, goodness. How improper o’ ye to lead me poor friend along while yer heart still pines for another, Nathair!”
Nathair childishly stuck out his tongue, and Jeanie chuckled. She patted his leg and said, “Dinnae ye two worry. Even if I thought I had anythin’ to fear, it’d take a stronger man than some Man-at-arms to even glance at another lass after they’ve tangled wi’ me.”
