Highland Magic by K. E. Saxon Read Free Book Online Page B

long forgot. “God’s truth, I do believe ‘twas the most
difficult twelvemonth of all my years of training.” He turned his
eye to his stepfather again. “They’ve formed a secret guild?” He
grinned. “I wish I’d thought of that when I was their age.”
    Laird MacGregor’s countenance split into a
big-toothed grin. Stroking his fingers over his bearded chin, he
replied, “Aye, I thought the same thing when Laird Gordon told the
tale to me this eve past!”
    “Maggie,” Lady Maclean said, half in jest,
“‘Tis at last clear to me what you meant when you said ‘twas as if
these two were cut from the same cloth. For, ‘tis truth, they do
seem to love mischief-making.”
    Callum ignored the jibe. “What recompense did
you extract from my father-in-law then?” he asked his
stepfather.
    “I insisted he send his nephew to me to
train. He agreed.”
    Callum chuckled. “Aye,” he said with evil
glee, “I look forward to meeting my wee swine-loving poisoner.”
    “Now, Callum, I can see the cogs in that
maniacal mind of yours turning,” his mother interjected, “and you
mustn’t do anything to upset the poor bairn any further. He’s no
father, he’s only Laird Gordon as guardian—and you know how
churlish that man can be. Why, I’m sure the lad’s been punished
enough.”
    Feigning a sigh of disappointment, Callum
answered, “Aye, Mother.” But, in truth, he had no intention of
meting out any further punishment on the lad—especially now that he
knew of his parentless state. That thought reminded him of his
daughter and he sat up straight. Worry furrowed his brow as he
asked his mother, “Where is Laire? She was not exposed to my fever,
was she?”
    “The babe is well, fear not,” Maggie hurried
to reassure him. With a quick glance at her mother and then back at
him, she continued, “‘Tis the main reason the physician gave for
keeping us as far from this sick room as possible.”
    “Fetch me my shirt and braies; I want to see
her.”
    “Chalmers, help me rise,” Lady Maclean said,
holding out her hand toward him. “‘Tis past time we allowed Callum
some privacy.”
    As the two exited, Maggie retrieved the items
of clothing her son had requested from his clothing chest. “I’ll
send up a servant to help you wash and dress.”
    “Nay, there’s no time. I haven’t seen my
daughter in three days. I’m anxious to know for myself how she
fares and I want to cradle her in my arms again.
    “You’ll have a bit of trouble, with the
injury to your shoulder,” she reminded, her voice gentle.
    “I know, but ‘tis worth the discomfort.”
    “Be careful, else you could cause more damage
to it—or worse, drop the poor lass.”
    “Aye, I’ll be careful.”
    She departed then as well, leaving Callum
alone once more in his chamber.
    Though ‘twas difficult, he managed to wash
and dress on his own. Within a half-hour, and with the aid of a
cane, he managed to get himself to his daughter’s nursery.
    Now, as he gazed down at his sleeping bairn,
nestled snugly in her cradle, he was reminded once more of her
mother. She’d gotten Lara’s lovely, delicate features, as well as
her wavy chestnut hair and large blue eyes. But she had a much more
temperate nature. Where Lara had been extravagant in her
reactions—one moment gleeful, the next in angry tears—this lass was
calm, and had a sweet, cheerful disposition, for which Callum was
thankful every day.
    The Gordons, specifically Laird Gordon, had
hounded him at first to give the babe into the care of their own
clan, but Callum could not do it. For, he suspected, ‘twas that
very upbringing that had made his wife both spoiled with the need
for luxuries and aggressive in her pursuit of male attention. And
there was something more as well...some vaguely unnerving something
in her manner, in her reactions to men, but especially to him the
one time they’d made love, that made him wonder if she’d not been
abused, mayhap even meddled with in a