“Teeny.”
“Aye. She delivered almost a month early.”
“Oh,” Grace said. “Not that tiny, then. Man, he would have been huge if she’d carried him to full-term.”
Max chuckled. “We make big bairns, ’tis true.”
She narrowed her eyes. “How big?”
“I’ll tell you when we’re bound,” he retorted. “I really need to sleep, baby. It’s going to be a busy day, what with dinner tonight, and the coronation and ball tomorrow.”
“You didn’t tell me there was going to be a ball,” she said. “Max! I didn’t bring anything appropriate for a ball. Why didn’t you tell me about the ball?”
“I wanted to surprise you.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You don’t lay that kind of surprise on a woman!”
Max smiled. “I have it sorted, love. Don’t worry.”
“You don’t ever say that to a woman in crisis, either!”
“Baby, it’s fine. I promise.”
She bit her lip. “Can I stay here with you?”
“Aye. Of course.” He frowned. “What’s the matter, love? Really?”
She shrugged. “I’m worried about Mags.”
“Come on. Let’s try and get some sleep.” Max pulled back the covers on the bed and waited for her to climb in. He slid in beside her and pulled her close. “Maggie will be fine, sweetheart. I promise.”
“Promise, promise?”
He chuckled. “Aye, love. Promise, promise.”
Grace kissed him and snuggled closer, falling asleep within minutes. Unfortunately, Max wasn’t as lucky. He saw the sun peek through the drapes before he finally succumbed to sleep.
* * *
Grace came awake with a start, remembering she wasn’t in her own bed, and wasn’t alone. Max’s arm was wrapped around her, and when she tried to scoot away, his hold tightened like a vice. She turned to face him and forced herself not to touch him. He looked so peaceful, his eyes closed and his hair falling across his forehead.
Are you going to say good morning?
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you,” Grace said.
“You didn’t.” Max opened his eyes and smiled. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
He stroked her cheek. “How did you sleep?”
“Quite well. How about you?”
“Fine...once I fell asleep.”
She frowned. “You obviously need a ‘you’ to sleep on.”
“What?”
“I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow of your chest, so you need a you.”
Max laughed. “Say the word, baby, and I’ll sleep on your pillows any time.”
Grace giggled. “I guess I opened myself up for that one.”
He kissed her quickly and reached for his phone. “Shite. Is it really eleven?”
“Do you have to be somewhere?”
Max sat up and climbed out of bed. “Aye. I need to check on Jonesy and then Pepper.”
“Horse before human?”
Max chuckled and pulled on his jeans. “If I don’t have very specific answers to the questions she will more than likely throw at me, I’ll be in trouble. So, yes, horse before human in this instance.”
Grace watched in fascination as he pulled off his T-shirt and grabbed a clean one. His chest was perfectly formed, as though chiseled from granite, and she didn’t know how much longer she could refrain from throwing him on the bed and taking advantage of him.
“Don’t,” Max said. “You name the day, love, and I’ll bind you.”
Grace groaned and covered her eyes with her arm. “My parents would kill me.”
She sighed when his lips covered hers, sliding her arm away and returning the kiss. Max broke contact and smiled. “Are you coming?”
She nodded and sat up. “I’ll just change quickly.”
“Let me check the hallway.”
Grace waited for the “all clear” and then ran to her room and dressed as fast as she could, meeting him back at his room within minutes. After a quick bite to eat in the conservatory, Max took her hand and they headed to the stables.
“What did that used to be?” Grace asked, referring to the building next to the stables.
Max stiffened. “The carriage house.”
“Does it still have carriages in it?”
Max shook his head.
“You okay?” she asked, but when he clammed up, she made the choice to attempt a look at his memories and gasped when she succeeded. The carriage house was where his sister had been murdered. “Oh, Max, I’m sorry.”
He dropped her hand. “Don’t ever do that again, Grace,” he snapped.
“I didn’t actually know I could,” she countered. “I’m sorry if I saw something you didn’t want me to see, but you can’t very well tell me to stay out of your head when you won’t stay out of mine.”
“Grace,” he said with a sigh.
Grace crossed her arms and watched in silence as Max tended to Jonesy. Max’s wall was up and impenetrable, which meant Grace couldn’t reach him. On the outside, he appeared fully in control, smiling and crooning to the horse, conversing quite comfortably with Andy, but when he was done and it was time to head back to the house, his smile didn’t reach his eyes when he held his hand out to Grace. “Ready?”
Grace nodded, but didn’t take his hand. Max didn’t object as they walked back to the castle and up the stairs to the private quarters.
Once through the large double doors that cut the royal apartments off from the rest of the castle, a long hallway housed several other doors. Payton was walking out of one of the rooms just as Max and Grace entered the hallway. “Hi. I was just coming to find you.”
“How are Pepper and the baby?” Max asked.
“Perfect,” Payton said. “Come and meet Callum Connall Gunnach.”
“I’ll wait out here,” Grace said.
“Why?” Max asked.
“I don’t want to intrude.”
“You’re not intruding, Grace. You’re practically family,” Payton assured her. “Pepper’s up and dressed and feeling great.”
Grace followed Payton and Max into the room. Pepper sat with Connall in an overstuffed chair, a bundle in her arms, while family milled around them. Food was laid out along one wall and Niall had already filled his plate.
“Hi, you two,” Pepper said. “I was wondering when you were going to meet the baby.”
Max chuckled. “I had to check on your other baby first.”
“Smart man. How is he?”
“He’s perfectly fine, Pepper,” Max assured her. “Much calmer today. I’ll ride him tomorrow, if you like.”
Pepper smiled. “That would be great.”
“Now, let’s see this little man,” Max said, and knelt beside her.
Grace tried to hang back, but the sight of the precious little boy drew her closer. “He’s perfect,” she said.
“I know, right?” Pepper agreed.
Callum began to fuss and Connall took the opportunity to retrieve him from Pepper. “I think he needs his da.”
Pepper giggled. “I’ve held him for all of ten minutes since the last time he ‘needed’ you.”
“Don’t hog the baby, Con,” Kade said.
“It’s okay,” Pepper countered. “I’ll get him back when it’s time to feed him.”
As Max chatted with the new parents, Grace faded into the background in an effort to give them some space and guard her emotions. She was feeling off-kilter and insecure, and quite homesick.
“You okay?”
She jumped. She hadn’t heard Niall approach.
“Sorry, lass. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
She forced a smile. “It’s okay. I was daydreaming a little.”
“You look a little sad,” Niall said.
“I do?”
He nodded. “Aye. You do. Would you like me to beat the shite out of my brother for you? Any excuse, Grace. I’m happy to sort him out for you.”
She
giggled. “I’ll keep that in mind. But for now, it’s all good. I just wish he’d be a little more open.”
Niall shrugged. “Read him.”
“I don’t want to read him,” Grace countered. “I want him to tell me.”
Niall gave her a knowing smile. “Good luck with that.”
Grace sighed. “Thanks.”
“Don’t give up on him.”
She frowned. “I won’t.”
Max glanced their way and raised an eyebrow. I can hear you, love.
I know you can.
“I think you’ll get a chance to have some fun tonight,” Niall said. “Apparently, Pepper is insisting on attending dinner with the baby and she always livens up a party.”
“That seems soon,” Grace said. “Is she well enough to do that?”
“Aye. Our bodies heal quickly, so she’s good to go.”
“Well, that’s an item for the ‘pro’ column.”
Niall chuckled. “Aye. It is.”
Grace chatted with Niall until Max deemed it was time to get ready for dinner. Things between them were calmer, but he was still guarded. By the time she climbed into bed that night, she felt more confused than ever. He’d bought her a beautiful dress in a blue that matched the ancient tartan he wore proudly, and he’d been attentive and sweet all night, but had blocked his thoughts, only allowing her to see what he wanted her to see.
By the time she had a decent excuse to escape to her room, she was exhausted and fell into a fitful sleep, waking early the next morning with the headache from hell. She decided to stay in bed and wallow, rather than ask Max to heal her. She needed a break.
Grace? Don’t be a martyr. I can feel your headache.
I’ll take a pill.
She squeezed her eyes shut and burrowed further under the covers.
“Grace,” Max said as he entered her room.
“Go away,” she grumbled.
She scowled when he laid his hand on her head, even though her headache disappeared immediately. He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “What’s the matter?”
“Oh, jeez, I don’t know. My boyfriend refuses to talk to me and I’m homesick,” she said, and rolled away from him.
“I’ve told you I don’t want to subject you to the business with my family. It’s for your protection.”
“Yep. I heard you the first fifty times you told me.”
“Fine, Grace. I’m not having this conversation with you again. If you want to stay in bed, stay in bed.”
* * *
Max left Grace and headed toward the conservatory for breakfast. They had three hours before the coronation and then another six before dinner and the ball. He hoped Grace would snap out of her bad mood before then, or he’d be forced to attend without her.
He arrived in the conservatory to find Connall, Pepper, Brodie, Payton, and Niall. Pepper sat in the corner, discreetly feeding Callum, while the rest of the group sat at one of the tables by the window.
“’Morning Max,” Payton said with a smile. “Where’s Grace?”
“She’s not feeling well,” Max answered.
“So, heal her.” Niall said.
“Leave it, Nim.”
Niall raised an eyebrow. “What did you do?”
“Nothing.” Max scowled at his brother, but refrained from swearing with the ladies present. He made his way to the buffet and investigated the spread laid out for them.
“Hi,” Pepper said from beside him.
“Where did you come from?” he asked in shock.
She giggled. “Wow, you’re distracted this morning. I handed Callum off to Connall to burp. I can’t believe you didn’t hear it.”
Max forced a smile. “How are feeling as a new mum?”
“I feel amazing,” she said. “Now, tell me what’s going on with Grace.”
Max placed ham on his plate and then went for the eggs. “Like I said, she’s not feeling well. She has a migraine.”
“Which you can heal.”
“And I did.”
“Okay, so why isn’t she here?”
“Pepper,” he groaned.
“I’ll ask her then, shall I?”
Max glared at her. “Or you could mind yer business.”
“You don’t scare me, you know,” she retorted.
“Just leave it,” he snapped.
“Max,” Connall said in warning behind him.
“He’s fine, Con,” Pepper said. “I’m here if you need to talk, Max.”
Max gave her a curt nod and took his food to the table.
AFTER DRESSING IN sweats and a hoodie, Grace opened her laptop and pulled up her email. Nothing from her sister about results, and it was too early to call her.
A knock at her door had her sighing. She doubted it was Max...he would have just walked in, so she opened it and forced a smile when she found Pepper standing there. “Hi, Grace.”
“Hi,” Grace said. “How are you feeling?”
“Really good, thanks. May I come in?”
“Oh, yes, of course.” Grace stood aside and Pepper walked in and closed the door. “Where’s the baby? Is everything okay?”
“Callum’s with Connall,” Pepper said. “I’m actually here to make sure you’re okay.”
“Yes, I’m fine, why?”
“Because Max is grumpy.”
“Ah, I see,” Grace said. “I’m fine. We’re just at an impasse at the moment.”
“Look, I know you don’t know me very well, but I’ve gotten to know Max quite well over the past few months, and I want you to know that if you ever need to talk, I’m a really good listener, and, outside of Con, everything you tell me’s in the vault.”
Grace smiled. “Thanks. But honestly, I think I just need to go home.”
“Wow, I didn’t realize you were that unhappy.”
Grace wasn’t sure how much she could tell Pepper. She would love to talk to someone who truly understood, but she didn’t easily trust people, especially other women.
You’re not going anywhere, Grace.
Grace let out a quiet squeak.
“You okay?” Pepper asked.
Grace nodded.
Pepper smiled. “Is Max butting into the conversation?”
“Yes. I wish I knew how to block him the way he can block me.”
Pepper chuckled. “You can. Want me to teach you?”
Don’t you dare listen to her, Max warned.
“Yes, please,” Grace said.
Grace.
“Envision a drape going up in your mind,” Pepper instructed. “The tricky part is keeping the curtain up at the same time as you’re speaking or thinking.”
“And that really works?”
“It will for you. Not so much for me.”
“How come?” Grace asked.
Pepper sighed. “Because I’m a firestarter, Connall can follow my emotion, so he has a way around any block I might put up.”
“So, you can start fires, I’m assuming?”
Pepper nodded. “It’s a pain in the butt.”
“Really? How come?”
“Because if I’m really emotional, I can’t control myself. And the more I try to control myself, the more upset I get, so it’s a downward spiral. Con seems to think I’ll get better at it as time goes on, but I’m worried that I’ll burn down a few houses before then.”
Grace frowned. “I can see how that would be kind of scary.”
“There are some warning signs, which is helpful. My hair starts to darken. That’s when Con knows to start the calming process, because if it gets to red, we’re all screwed.”
Before Grace could respond, her door flew open and Max walked in. “I swear to Christ, Pepper, you go too far,” he snapped.
Pepper glanced at Grace. “I guess it worked.”
“Seems like it,” Grace said, and smiled.
“I’m very glad you’re both so fucking happy with yourselves, but I’ll thank you not to interfere in matters concerning me and my mate, Pepper. It�
�s none of your god damn business.”
“And I’ll thank you to remember to whom you’re speaking,” Pepper countered.
Max scowled, but managed to bow his head.
“Oh! That works?” she exclaimed.
“I’m confused,” Grace said.
“Well, technically, I’m a princess and that trumps laird, according to Niall, so when I pull the royal card Max... well, anyone, really... has to be nice to me.”
Grace watched as Max muttered under his breath and she figured Niall should probably stay far away from his brother for a while.
Pepper smiled. “I’ll leave you two to talk.”
“Thanks, Pepper,” Grace said, and waited for her to leave before sitting back at her computer and actively ignoring Max.
“Are we going to talk?” he asked.
“Oh, do you know how to?” she retorted. “I haven’t seen much evidence of that lately.”
He settled his hands on top of his head and paced the room. “Grace.”
“Yes, dear?”
He took a deep breath, then another. “Would you like to go for a ride before the coronation?”
“No thanks.”
“Is there anything you’d like to do before the ceremony?”
“Yes. I’d very much like you to tell me about your sister.”
Max shook his head. “I can’t, love.”
“Okay, then,” she said with saccharin sweetness as she stood and pushed him toward the door. “I’d like to be alone, if you don’t mind.”
“Grace,” he said in frustration.
“No, Max. I’m done. I will attend the coronation and the ball tonight, but I’m going home tomorrow.”
“And how exactly are you going to do that?” he snapped.
“Gee, I don’t know. Have Bruce drive me to this really nifty thing called an airport, maybe?”
“I’ll sack him if he takes you anywhere.”
She bit her lip. “Would you really?”
“Aye. I would.”
“Then I’ll call a cab.”
“I’ll no’ have me mate takin’ a cab,” he said.
“Why not?” she challenged.
“Because ’tis no’ safe.”
“A cab is not safe? Really? Here?”
“You’ll no’ get a cab, Grace,” he repeated.
“Will you drive me to the airport, then?” she asked, knowing his answer.
Bound by Song (Cauld Ane Series, #4) Page 22
