Part 22 (1/2)
Her mouth in a mutinous line, she finally nodded.
”I will hear no more of this mockery. Christina, when you came here you'd never ridden before, and you fell more times than I can count. And you, Aggie, have only been off leading strings for four months. I remember some of your more spectacular falls as well.”
Both girls hung their heads.
Hugh locked gazes with Devon. ”As for you, I remember a ride we once took to Uncle Dougal's where you fell-”
”That wasn't my fault!”
”-and landed right in the middle of a stream.”
Her cheeks burned bright. ”My horse stumbled.”
”A good rider would have held her mount better. You let the reins go slack at a crucial time.”
Her jaw set, but she offered no reply.
”I have never laughed at any of you for making mistakes, because that's how you learn. A rider who tells you she's never fallen off her horse is one who never rides at more than a walk.”
Christina and Devon didn't meet his gaze, while Aggie's bottom lip quivered.
”Caitriona is trying to learn,” Hugh said softly. ”That is what matters the most.” And it did matter. His heart warmed at the realization of what Caitriona had done-both in learning to ride and in dealing with his daughters in such a spirited, but gentle way. He almost grinned to think of their reactions as she turned the tables on their trick.
”Yes, but she isn't one of us,” Devon said, her voice tight with anger. ”She can barely ride at all!”
”At least she is working to improve her skills-unlike other young ladies I know, who'd rather gallop madly without regard for the health or safety of their mounts!”
Devon's and Aggie's faces glowed red, while Christina sent them a surrept.i.tious glance.
”Another young lady I know cannot seem to keep her heels in, without being reminded every single moment.”
Now Christina's face matched her sisters'.
Hugh scowled. ”This is our house, and while she's here, Caitriona is part of our family. I should have made this announcement weeks ago, but I didn't realize-” He bit off the rest of the sentence. ”We will talk about this more later. I am leaving for two or three days to find a missing mare.”
They all looked up.
”You will stay at Uncle Dougal's while I am gone.”
Devon planted her hands on her hips. ”We want to stay here.”
”And have your pantaloons sewed shut every morning?” He quirked a brow. ”I can't trust you three to behave yourself with Caitriona. Since I can't stay and monitor you more closely, you'll go to Dougal's. When I return, we'll discuss this situation further.”
All three girls slumped.
Hugh lifted his brows. ”You like staying at Uncle Dougal's, so do not act as if I've just sentenced you to death.”
Christina sighed. ”Aunt Sophia's been away for weeks.”
”Uncle Dougal is getting very cranky about it,” Devon added.
Aggie sniffed. ”He's lovesick.”
”I am sure having the three of you with him will make him feel better.”
”I don't know about that,” Devon muttered.
He gave them each a hard stare. ”If Uncle Dougal invites Caitriona to dinner while I am gone, as he will likely do, you will be on your best behavior. If I return to find that you were anything other than perfectly polite, there will be consequences. Do I make myself clear?”
All three nodded.
”Good. I am going to pack. You will return to your room and change. There will be no riding today.”
Christina and Aggie nodded, but Devon's lips were pressed into a solid line.
Hugh's gaze narrowed. ”I mean it. Now, go and pack.” He turned on his heel and walked to the door.
”Papa?”
He turned to find Christina on her feet, a few steps behind him as if she'd run to catch him. ”We-we didn't mean to make you angry.”
He looked at her, irritation still roiling through him.
Her large eyes filled with tears, and just as suddenly as his temper had arisen, it was gone, and in its place was disappointment. He sighed and pulled her to him for a hug. ”La.s.s, I know you didn't mean any harm, and nothing was done that can't be undone. But I expected better of all of you.”
Christina moved back. ”Please, just don't be angry.”
”I'm much angrier at myself than at you.”
Devon's brows lowered as if she couldn't puzzle this out, and he smiled, feeling as tired as if he'd spent the day in the saddle. ”We'll settle all of this when I return. I'm going to speak with Caitriona right now. Change your clothes, and I'll come see you before I leave.”
He gave them each a hug, then left. As he climbed the stairs, he mulled over what he should say to Triona.
Not once, in all of the intimate moments they'd shared, had she mentioned her problems with the children. She'd done as he'd convinced her to do and had distanced herself from them, to the point where the girls saw her as a permanent outsider. Which is what I wanted, fool that I am. And then the children had taken things too far. It irked him that she had needed something, but hadn't felt comfortable enough to ask for it.
That could not continue. He reached their bedchamber and halted outside as he considered his options. Should he begin with an apology? Was one even necessary? Would she rather know he'd discovered that Ferguson was training her to ride, or should he allow her to surprise him? In a way, what she was doing was a gift, and he had no wish to lessen the importance of it.
But how did he convince Caitriona to be more open with him, without giving up something himself? They had worked out a delicate balance of power and he was loathe to upset it.
Inside the room, a faint splash reminded him that Caitriona had called for hot water. His wife was inside, naked, and soaking her lovely limbs in a scented bath. With a determined expression, he turned the k.n.o.b and entered his room.
Chapter 15.
”If ye wish to give, do it with yer heart and hands open. 'Tis shabby to give any other way.”
OLD WOMAN NORA TO HER THREE WEE GRANDDAUGHTERS ON A COLD WINTER'S NIGHT Triona closed her eyes and rested her head against the edge of the huge, high-sided copper tub. At Wythburn, their tub was merely a fourth the size of this one, only large enough to stand in. Once, several years ago, Mary had tried to sit in it and had gotten stuck. Caitlyn, Caitriona, and Mother had tried everything to get her loose. Finally, they'd had to throw a sheet over her and call in William to pull her free. Triona chuckled at the memory.