My Cursed Highlander (32 page)

"King James died in June near Stirling." Keegan's words broke through her musing.

"In battle?" Taveon questioned.

"He was wounded in battle, but 'tis rumored a priest finished him off some days later at a nearby mill."

Icy air sliced through her throat with a sudden intake of air. Keegan's comment drew forth memories of Giuliano's assassination. His bloodied body formed in her head like a brand on the backs of her eyelids. She rubbed the chill from her arms and thought of Fioretta.

The horse stopped.

"We will discuss this later. I do not wish to have my homecoming soured by such talk." Taveon's fingers curled around her calf and touched the bare skin behind her knee. The ominous, dark sky behind her only emphasized her pale complexion. He pulled her off the steed. "Dinnae think about it, Venus. Let this day be joyous." He kissed her nose and chased the misery from her mind.

She nodded, wondering how the man soothed her with such simple words, with such innocent kisses. He stirred her in so many ways.

He took her hand and led her along a dirt path through a gatehouse.

"Welcome home, m'laird." The porter waved from his post in the Tower.

"'Tis good to be back, Murray."

The portcullis rattled shut with a bang.

Oh,
cazzo!
Viviana jumped, but managed to continue her jog between the two brothers.

Not another greeted them before they, at last, reached the entrance of his castle. A castle, no doubt filled with his kin and the people she would call family. And Makayla. Viviana felt as though she already knew his daughter and wanted more than anything for the child to accept her.

They stopped before a set of wooden doors. Viviana's legs quivered. Her pulse pounded in the back of her throat, making swallowing nigh impossible.

"Are ye nervous?" Taveon's question was foolish and deserved a 'pish', but she only managed to dip her head and clutch the velvet of her skirt in her sweaty fist.

"Remember, ye are my queen." He squeezed her hand, and with Keegan's assistance, they pulled the doors wide.

Mayhem could only describe the happenings going on inside. It seemed the courtyard was barren because everyone had already gathered inside. Pitch-pine torches dotted the walls, painting the stone with black soot. A handful of men dressed in the same garments as Keegan, rolled barrels into the Great Hall where she recognized many of the men from the ship. Flasks of drink were already being passed in circles while men and women alike set up trestle tables for what was sure to be a grand celebration.

Miocchi had already gained a few admirers in three young boys, and a more jovial tune than the pipes she'd heard earlier resounded off walls decorated with battle shields and weapons of war. The drone of conversation was nigh deafening, but put her slightly at ease.

"Welcome home, m'laird." A maid floated by, arms filled with goblets.

"Thank ye, Anice. Have ye seen Makayla?" Taveon continued to scan the room.

"She is with Cora-Rose. They will be about shortly."

Viviana barely heard the last of the maid's words as an approaching wail overpowered any and all sound.

A woman, bone-thin with red curls bouncing at her waist, held her skirt to her knees and rushed into the Great Hall from a side corridor. She nearly toppled three men in her haste before she jumped into Remi's wide arms and kissed him from forehead to chin.

Viviana couldn't help but smile. "She is Meghan?"

"Aye." Taveon's thumb drew circles over her palm as he took in the scene. His gaze glossed over Monroe standing solemnly beside a huge hearth rolling with yellow flames.

"Go back to Monroe." Viviana gave Taveon's hand a little shake, not caring if Keegan thought her request odd. "Is there no one to greet him?"

Taveon searched through the crowd before setting his eyes on a tall woman twisting her pail apron in her hands. Brown hair gathered at her nape and cascaded in soft waves down her back. She stared at Monroe from across the Great Hall. "She is Sela, the clothier."

"His woman?" Viviana asked, knowing Monroe didn't have a wife.

"I suspect she will be one day if the bastard ever gets the bollocks to take her to bed."

Viviana frowned, thinking his remark fell short of romantic.

Keegan laughed outright beside her just as the already crowded hall filled with women. Young, old, tall, wide—each one's face lit up the moment they found their loved ones.

"Dadi! Dadi!" a child screamed and burst through their center.

Viviana tensed.

"Makayla," Taveon whispered and released Viviana's hand.

Her world went black. Her hands trembled, desperately wanting to see their long awaited reunion. She latched onto Keegan's forearm. The haze cleared quickly, but Viviana only saw herself—wide-eyed in anticipation. "Do not look at me. Look at them," she demanded in a tone much harsher than she intended.

"'Tis true what Remi said about your sight?" Keegan asked, his gaze still fixed on her features.

"Sì. Sì!"
She didn't care that he knew. "Please. Look. At. Them," she ground out between clenched teeth and tempered the urge to rip the hairs from his arm should he not obey.

Keegan's gaze shifted toward the rushing child. Strawberry blonde curls bounced against her back as she ran full speed across the length of the hall.

"Dadiiiiiii!" she squealed with a might that contradicted her size.

"Poppet," Taveon yelled, his arms outstretched, his leg bent slightly in front of him.

Kicking her plaid kirtle, Makayla leapt onto his knee, then encircled his thick neck with her tiny arms.

A sob hung in Viviana's throat. Uncontrollable tears rushed over her cheeks. She covered her mouth with the hand not clinging to Keegan's arms and prayed she might one day hold the child's affections.

"Oh, Poppet. I've missed ye." Taveon engulfed her in his meaty arms and buried his face into the small crook of her neck.

The Goliath she had known in her past convulsed with emotions in this small child arms. Viviana would give anything to have him love her the way he so obviously loved his daughter. A yearning she'd never known spiraled behind her breast. She wanted a family—this family.

"I missed ye, too, Dadi." Makayla pulled back and touched Taveon face, her pale hand a contrast against his tanned skin.

"And what did ye miss the most?" His voice cracked, and he cleared his throat.

"I missed your nose." She drew a petite finger down the length of his strong nose, then pecked it with her tiny lips.

The smile illuminating Taveon's face warmed Viviana's insides. He'd never looked more handsome.

"What else did ye miss?" He brushed a wild curl from Makayla's long lashes.

"I missed your songs. Auntie Cora doesnae sing the slumber song nearly so weel as ye."

Viviana recalled the tune he'd hummed at night on the ship and then pictured him singing it to this innocent little girl. While Viviana had known he was a good man for some time now, she hadn't realized just how wonderful, and loving, and sensitive, and... he was everything her previous husbands were not, and she'd been a fool not to see it before now. She wanted to step beside them and be a part of their circle, but feared her eagerness would be unwelcome.

"I trust ye behaved while I was away?" Taveon squatted, setting Makayla on her feet. "Ye tended your chores and minded your auntie?"

The child's head bobbed furiously. "Did ye bring me a gift? I need a new doll. Jack tore the arms off Bonny-Lee."

"I brought ye something much bigger." Taveon reached for Viviana's hand.

For a full breath she couldn't move, but somehow managed to pry her nails from Keegan's arm and accept Taveon's hand... and his eyes. She knelt beside him and forced herself to remain calm, regardless of the acrobats doing flip flops in her stomach.

Taveon looked into Makayla's excited blue eyes—beautiful eyes, the same color as his—and said, "I brought ye a new mum."

Viviana's heart pounded furiously. She prayed. She smiled. She waited.

Makayla's head cocked. The confusion ruffling her little brow nearly made Viviana ill. The music stopped, making the pounding in her head all the louder. The Great Hall grew silent as all eyes were on them, and Viviana was certain they would hear her heart beating.

Makayla reached out and touched Viviana's cheek.

What resembled a streak of lightning flashed in Viviana's head, then her own face overlaid the child's, then Taveon's, then back.

Oh, God! She could see through Makayla. Viviana let go of Taveon's hand. The confusion was enough to make her dizzy. Makayla's world was so vibrant with color, like wet paint on a canvas. In this rendering Viviana could see the glistening tears pooling in her own eyes waiting to slip off her lashes. She blinked and waited for the child's acceptance.

Makayla looked back at Taveon. "She will not die?"

"Nay. She will not."

Makayla touched the beauty mark at the corner of Viviana's lips then caressed her nose with butterfly fingertips, studying her intently. "Then I can love her?"

Viviana thought Makayla's question odd, yet painfully endearing.

"In time, Poppet."

Lips parting, Viviana intended to greet the child when she wrapped her cherub arms around Viviana's neck and squeezed. She smelled like butter and cinnamon... and dirt and she was wonderful. Tears rolled down Viviana's cheeks as she silently thanked her Maker for His gift. Nothing had ever felt more right. "I'm so very pleased to meet you."

A musician strummed a few strings on a lyre and the Great Hall once again filled with merriment. Goblets clinked as Taveon's kin returned to their conversations. Grateful to have the attention off her, Viviana let herself get lost in the angel hugging her.

Makayla unraveled her arms too quickly, but held tight to Viviana's hand. "I have my own chamber. I dinnae sleep in the nursery. 'Tis for new bairns." Her gaze lifted toward Keegan, then back. "I can clean my own boots, and I know my letters, and I can swim." She took a breath and rocked back on her heels.

Viviana was certain she was trying to impress her with this list of skills. "It is good that you are independent."

"I dinnae know that word. Ye talk odd. Did ye come from Heaven? Dadi said the women all go to Heaven."

Viviana held back the giggle tickling her throat. She would not insult the child, but was rendered incapable of answering her questions. Fortunately, Makayla didn't give her time to form and answer.

"I can gather eggs and feed the chickens, and run the var... ver..." she looked up at Keegan.

"Vermin," he supplied.

"...vermin out of the stable; mice, cats." She leaned in. "I amnae allowed to have pets."

Viviana frowned, recalling the day Taveon tried to leave Miocchi behind. She wanted to scowl at her husband for denying Makayla the joys of having a pet. Instead, she placed two fingers in her mouth and blew a quick whistle.

Makayla stepped closer when Miocchi appeared beside them.

"Holy mither!" Makayla's gaze flickered over the dog standing eye level with her.

"Makayla!" Taveon scolded in a tone that more resembled humor than actually chastening.

"This is my pet and he has traveled a great distance to meet you." Viviana rubbed Miocchi's ears.

"May I pet the beastie, Dadi?"

"Aye."

"Can I love him?"

"Soon, Poppet. Verra soon."

Miocchi licked Makayla's face causing her to giggle. "What do ye call him?"

"Miocchi. Where I come from it means 'My Eyes.'"

"My Eyes," she repeated. "Is that how they talk in Heaven? Like ye? Are there kittens in Heaven?"

"Ye have asked enough questions this eve." Taveon interrupted and cupped Viviana's elbow, then brought her to stand upright. "Mayhap ye can take the beastie to your chamber. 'Tis past time for ye to be abed. I'll be about shortly to sing the slumber song."

Makayla's head bobbed, and she patted her little hip, then made a smooching noise. "Come, My Eyes." Miocchi pranced alongside her past a woman whose fists were planted on either side of her swollen abdomen.

She panted, out of breath, and looked as if she might double over in exertion. Keegan stepped up beside her, one hand at her back, the other on the side of her belly. Viviana didn't need an introduction to know she was the woman Taveon had traveled across the world to save.

Taveon waited respectfully while Laird MacKaskill greeted his daughter with a long hug, then Taveon bowed with dignity before her. "Cora-Rose, ye look... exhausted."

"Ye would do weel to offer me a better compliment, brother." She waddled toward them, bringing with her the scent of lemon, and flung a long, white-blonde braid over her shoulder. "Bend down, so I might welcome ye home properly."

Taveon bent at the waist and accepted a kiss to each cheek from the woman Viviana thought was easily the most beautiful female she'd ever seen. Pale lashes swept over amber eyes that nigh glowed in the dim firelight of the hall. Taveon looked down and pressed his palm against her enormous belly.

Envy was a sin Viviana knew well, but she could no more escape the slithering green monster than she could stop herself from wanting to be the woman behind his touch.

"Ye are so... round." Taveon's tone held a whisper of awe.

"Bleeding Christ. That isnae a compliment. I dare say ye lost your wit as weel as your skill for flattery on your travels." She slapped his hand away from her person, gaining a playful chuckle from Taveon. "Go with your brother and leave me to become acquainted with your new wife." She paused, her eyes swept over Viviana. "Ye did take her to wife, aye?"

"Oh, aye." Taveon's gaze left the woman to slide over Viviana's breasts. "More times than—"

Viviana gave a threatening tug to a cluster of hairs on his forearm.

"Ack!" Cora-Rose regained his attention and held up a flat hand. "Begone with your vulgar tongue."

Viviana's ears were sure to be glowing red, but oh she liked this woman and the way she commanded authority. Cora-Rose wasn't the timid creature Viviana had fabricated in her mind.

"Before I entrust Viviana to ye, I should tell ye that my new wife is blind."