Evan wiped his mouth with a napkin and tossed it alongside his plate. “I want to finish up the tenant visits this week, so we need to get started as soon as ye are through.” He leaned back in his chair and regarded her. “Alasdair told me more of yer clansmen arrived while we were with the young MacDuffs yesterday.”
“Was Mrs. Brody able to find rooms for them?”
“Aye, but this cannot continue, lass. I checked the castle’s food supply, and while it’s quite hearty, these people need to get into their own houses and start producing for themselves.”
“I ken. Many of them will have brought what they need to hold them over until they can grow their own food. Once they’re settled, I’m assuming they’ll head to the market in the village, where they can sell their wares.”
“When yer finished, meet me in the library.” Evan walked toward the door but stopped. “God’s toes!” he roared. “What the devil is this?”
…
Evan stared at his feet as what seemed like a dozen brown and white puppies ran in circles, barking and yelping like a bunch of Scottish warriors. Two nipped at his boots, and one tried to climb up his body but kept slipping off.
Katie joined him, the joy on her face a stark contrast to his annoyance. “Oh, look at the wee sweet puppies!”
He turned to her and scowled. “What are all these animals doing in the castle?”
“I dinnae ken.” She bent and took one of them in her arms. “But aren’t they wonderful?” She looked up and smiled at him, and all his anger melted…until one of them gripped the top of his boot with its teeth and pulled. He shook his foot, and the animal rolled over and over, sat up, and shook its head.
“I told ye, no animals in the castle.”
“These aren’t animals. A goat is an animal, and that is now in the stable. Puppies are pets.”
Evan leaned forward, coming face to face with Katie. “Puppies grow into dogs. Dogs are animals and dinnae belong in the castle.” He waved at the group, who were still barking frantically. “Move them to the stables.”
Just then, Gavin came racing toward them and laughingly picked up one of the puppies. “Can I keep one?”
“Nay.”
“Aye.”
Katie and Evan stared at each other. “At least one can stay,” Katie countered.
“And what makes ye think whoever brought them here is willing to give one to the lad?” Evan shook his foot as another puppy bit the toe of his boot.
“Because my clansmen are nice, generous people. Whoever owns them would be delighted to give one to Gavin.”
“And I would be delighted to see them all in the stable.”
“Oh, here’s the naughty little puppies.” A woman of about forty years stood in front of them, shaking her head, her hands on her hips, watching the chaos of the animals.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Fraser.” Katie offered the woman a bright smile. “I’m so glad ye were able to join us.”
“Aye. And yer forty puppies,” Evan groused.
The woman threw her head back and offered a hearty laugh. “Aye. I’m sure it seems like forty, but ’tis only seven pups.”
Katie waved her hand at Evan. “Mrs. Fraser, this is Laird MacNeil. My laird, this is Mrs. Fraser, a former Stirling clan member who married into the Fraser clan but has since returned to us.”
The woman looked confused. “I thought this was yer family’s estate? The MacDuffs?”
Katie took the woman by the arm and moved her off to the side. “There is a story about that. But for now I think it’s best if ye gather up the puppies and take them to the stable.”
“Ach, of course.” Mrs. Fraser looked over at Gavin, who still held one of the puppies in his arms—all the love a small boy shows for a pup on his face. “Ye care to help me, Gavin? I cannot get all these pups into the stable myself.”
“Won’t we need a box or something to keep them in?” Gavin looked over at his sister. “They might run away if they’re in the stables.”
“If only,” Evan mumbled.
Katie nudged him in his ribs and addressed Gavin. “I am sure the laird can think of something we can build to house them so they don’t run away.” She looked up at him, the determination in her eyes enough to make him smile. “Isn’t that right, my laird?”
He ran his hands through his hair, pulling strands from his queue. “Aye. But first we have visits to make.”
“Then Mrs. Fraser will have to keep them in her bedchamber until ye can build something.” Her smug look annoyed him.
“I have a better idea. We go visiting, and one of yer handy clansmen can build something for the animals.”
“That’s a good idea, isn’t it, Katie?” Gavin, apparently wanting to keep the peace, looked at her eagerly. “Maybe Alasdair can help.”
Evan ran his palm down his face. He knew when it was time to let go. “Aye. Isn’t Alasdair supposed to be watching ye?”
Gavin looked confused. “Watching me?”
Katie coughed and scowled at him. “Alasdair is not watching ye, Gavin. He’s just making sure ye don’t get lost in the new castle and grounds. He thinks ye need a friend.”
“Aye.” Alasdair strode down the corridor and placed his hand on Gavin’s head. “And I was right there”—he gestured with his head—“talking to Mr. MacDuff, with my eyes on ye the whole time.”
Alasdair grinned at Evan. “Nice puppies, eh?”
“Did ye ken about this?” Evan waved at the puppies, who had apparently worn themselves out and were now all sound asleep in a pile.
“Aye, I did.”
“I’m so sorry, my laird. My dog decided to give birth along the way. I thought we had more time.” Mrs. Fraser fidgeted with her skirts and looked back and forth between him and Katie.
“’Tis all right, Mrs. Fraser. Nature tends to do things on her own schedule.” Katie smiled warmly at
