The Frost Maiden's Kiss by Claire Delacroix Read Free Book Online

Malcolm said, and heads were inclined in greeting. The air was thick for a moment, for the merest glance at Rafael revealed what he was, then Vivienne broke the tension by turning to Malcolm again.
    “Oh, you have been laboring like a peasant and you smell like one,” she chided, as if Malcolm were but a boy still. She wrinkled her nose. “As soon as I saw a new structure on the site of Ravensmuir, I knew it had to be you, returned. I knew it! I am so glad to have you back!” She gave him another quick hug, as if to prove to herself that he truly stood beside her, then regarded him with shining eyes. “You must have such tales to tell!”
    And there was the root of it, at least for Vivienne.
    “You should not have leapt from the saddle,” Malcolm said again, but with more affection. “Not in your condition.”
    “I should like to see if your advice to my lady wife makes any difference,” Erik said, his gaze sliding to the lady in question. “My own warnings are ignored.”
    Malcolm refused to take sides with this man against his sister.
    “The babe is months away,” Vivienne said with a dismissive wave. “You all fret like old women.”
    There was another awkward silence. To Malcolm’s thinking, this party could not continue to Kinfairlie soon enough. He was well and tired of his family’s judgment of his choice, when there had been little other option.
    Vivienne gripped Malcolm’s hands. “Come along. Show me what you have done!”
    “I thought you meant to show me what you had done,” Malcolm said, nodding toward the cart that was coming to a halt behind the destriers.
    Vivienne laughed and beckoned to the girls who were watching from the cart. “Perhaps you remember Mairi and Astrid, although they have both grown tall.” The two girls fairly leapt from the cart and ran forward with a confidence that made Rafael lift his brows. They held hands and curtsied before Malcolm, the older one eyeing him with open curiosity.
    “Are you truly a mercenary?” she demanded pertly and Erik caught his breath.
    “A man who will do any deed for coin?” demanded the second.
    Vivienne and Erik exchanged a worried glance.
    “I have been, but no longer,” Malcolm replied.
    The taller girl, who must be Mairi, was evidently disappointed. “Why?”
    “Because I tired of the killing.”
    Vivienne winced.
    The younger girl looked Malcolm up and down. “And what are you now?”
    “Laird of Ravensmuir.”
    Rafael stepped forward. “I am yet a mercenary, if that will console either of you.”
    Erik inhaled sharply even as Rafael grinned. Mairi surveyed Rafael with mingled fear and awe, an expression that did not bode well for her future. Her father’s hand dropped to the hilt of his blade and Malcolm was glad to see the gesture.
    “Although I have the wits to choose my prizes wisely,” Rafael added and bowed to Erik. He plucked his discarded shirt from the stone where he had abandoned it and tugged it on, reminding Malcolm of their state. Malcolm followed suit, wondering how much of a visit he would be compelled to endure.
    “Catherine is five now,” Vivienne said as if to make conversation. She held out her hand in invitation. Malcolm followed the gesture to see the serving woman who had been riding in the cart now standing alongside it. She made to lift out a little girl with fair hair, but the older man who had been driving the cart interceded. It was indeed Ruari, though there was more silver in his hair and he was thicker about the middle. Doubtless he was still loyal and opinionated.
    But clearly his gruff manner did not frighten his lord’s daughters. Little Catherine smiled up at him, unafraid of his scowl as he set her on her own feet. She ran toward Vivienne, followed quickly by a toddler. The serving woman, who was blond herself, had lifted down the boy and now turned back to the cart to lift out a swaddled infant.
    “You named your first born for Maman?” Malcolm asked softly and Vivienne nodded.