She nodded. “I had to wonder if it was a woman.”
“And that would most assuredly nay be something he would want to speak to ye about.”
Before Arianna could reply, Callum strode into the room. She resisted the urge to kick him as she walked by him to leave. He and Brian probably had some business to discuss, she decided as she made her way to the gardens. It delighted her to find Michel and Adelar there helping Fiona weed the herb beds, and she quickly joined in.
“How is your campaign to win that fool’s heart coming along?” asked Fiona when the boys moved away.
“I think it goes weel but I cannae be certain,” Arianna said.
“He hasnae told ye to go home yet.”
“True. Of course, he has only just finished his healing. He may have waited because he likes to be coddled.”
Fiona laughed. “Oh, aye, they do. Ye have certainly made my life easier by taking o’er his care. He has healed enough now that he can begin to move around and regain all his strength and I havenae had to suffer through any monly tantrums.”
“A true blessing.”
Fiona glanced at the boys to make sure they were still at the other end of the garden and then asked, “He hasnae asked ye to stay yet, has he?”
Arianna sighed. “Nay. And, although he hasnae yet asked me to leave, he sometimes speaks as if I am soon to go. I begin to fear entering the room as I expect to hear the words I dread each time I do now.”
Fiona hugged her. “I shall pray that ye get what ye want.”
“I think a few prayers may be needed as naught I have done has seemed to make him see that I care for him, that I have no trouble with his life as it is. I shall just have to wait and see what happens when he is back on his feet and fit again.”
Brian stood up and stretched, enjoying the feel of just moving around without pain or weakness. He looked at Callum and sighed. They worked well together and the younger man had a good eye to making a profit in trade. Brian hoped that would not change when Arianna left.
His heart clenched with pain at the mere thought of her riding away from him but he fought to ignore that. Now that he was healed, there was no more reason for her to linger at Scarglas. If he was honest with himself, there had been no need for her to stay and help him heal as Fiona and Mab were very skilled healers. He had allowed himself the time with her, enjoying her caring for him, out of pure selfish need. It was time to stop being selfish and send her back to the life she deserved.
“Ye have a look on your face that isnae making me feel verra kindly toward ye,” said Callum.
“What look?”
“The one that says that now that ye are healed enough to stretch and prance about, ye will do what ye think is the honorable thing and send my cousin away.” Callum held up a hand to stop Brian from speaking. “Please, dinnae lash me with the talk of how she is so high ye cannae touch her. I just ask that ye make the cut ye are about to give her quick and clean. Once ye do this, dinnae change your mind and come looking for her as I willnae allow it.”
Brian was tempted to respond to that threat with a bit of belligerence of his own, but bit back the words. They had one more item to discuss as far as their business dealings went and then the man could leave. He just hoped that Callum did not carry grudges. The trade deals they had made together could prove to be very rich ones and he liked the man.
“We have received word from Lord Ignace that Captain Tillet has a fine new ship. Our first shipment of wine will be headed this way in about a month.”
“Good. Does he say anything about the lads?”
“Aye, their maternal grandfather agrees that they are safer here, that it is safer that the world thinks them dead as weel. The blame for that was put on Lucette. The man will be sending some boon for the lads soon. It appears that his son has died and the mon bred only lassies on his legal wife.” Brian frowned. “I hope he doesnae think he can make them his heirs for then the world will ken that they are nay dead and they are legitimate. It will also mean that Paul Lucette cannae be the heir to the Lucette land.”
“Leave it to them to sort out. The lads are safe here. What happens when they are grown will be their business to deal with. I doubt the old mon will be making his wishes clear for a long time. Arianna says Paul is a verra good mon, studious and kind. For all we ken, he and the old mon are working together in secret. And, we cannae work against those boys getting a fortune in lands and titles when they are older just because we fear for their safety. We will just make certain they are always protected and trained weel in how to protect themselves.”