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

that laird’s child? Though that made the most sense, Malcolm had a difficult time believing that a woman of such beauty and grace was a common peasant. She showed the same mix of resolve and reason, as well as the same tendency to be outspoken, that he associated with his sisters.
    He would wager she was a widow. He had seen many a woman left to fend for herself and her children, after a noble husband lost his life, his fortune, or both.
    Malcolm found himself not only wanting to know Catriona’s tale, but wanting to aid her. Even if she had not resembled Ursula, he would quickly have been intrigued by her. She was both fearful of him and determined to challenge him. Though it troubled her to draw his attention, she did not fail to step forward and correct his assumptions, on the matter of principle alone. Her vulnerable state only brought out his most noble impulses, for he had been taught young to defend women when they came close to their time.
    Ursula had shown him the price that women could pay, all too easily, in bringing a child into the world.
    Malcolm did not doubt that once Erik and Vivienne left Ravensmuir, they would not return, and he was not prepared to see the last of Catriona just yet.
    Fortunately, it was clear that Vivienne was both intrigued by the changes in his abode and tired. He turned away from Catriona with an effort and bent his attention upon his sister. He suggested that they linger and as he had anticipated, Vivienne seemed to find the prospect a tempting one.
    As Malcolm might have expected, her spouse did not.
    “You can see the new Ravensmuir, Vivienne, and we can still arrive at Kinfairlie for the evening meal,” Erik said.
    “But Malcolm is right. I do find myself too tired to continue on this day,” Vivienne said, then smiled at her brother. “We shall plague you with our company this night before taking all of your news to Kinfairlie.”
    “Hardly all of it,” he said, suspecting that Catriona listened. “A man must be allowed to keep a few secrets of his own.”
    “Like where you have been, and who you have fought,” Vivienne countered.
    “Events of these years are not worth recounting,” Malcolm replied. He would not speak of what he had witnessed, let alone confess his own deeds, even if the Fae music compelled him to remember both each night.
    “Then why you are returned now—”
    “Because my days of battle are done.”
    “And why to Ravensmuir—”
    “Because it is my legacy.”
    “And why you rebuild with such enthusiasm.”
    “Because Rafael refuses to pass another winter in the stables.” Malcolm dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I believe I should like to keep the horses there, at any rate.” Vivienne laughed at that, though Rafael merely snorted.
    “And what of your nose?”
    “Broken and healed anew. There is no tale there.”
    “You vex me apurpose, Malcolm,” Vivienne charged with laughter in her voice.
    Malcolm was aware that Catriona trailed behind the small party as he showed the new construction to his sister and her husband. He might have been speaking to the serving maid, so keenly was he attuned to her response. He had a curious desire for her to think well of what he had done.
    It would be a feat to drive the suspicion from her eyes and the fear from her reactions.
    “You should be warned that the fare is simple and the bed simpler yet,” he said to Vivienne, all the while thinking of what might be changed to better accommodate them. “I have only straw pallets in the solar, though you are welcome to that chamber’s comparative comfort. The roof is not quite completed on the north side, and there may be rain this night.”
    “Ah, Erik, you see that we shall experience Ravensmuir at its best,” Vivienne said, clearly trying to heal the breach between the two men. Malcolm stiffened slightly at her assumption that the entire family would use the solar.
    It was one matter to leave his own sister alone near the locked door