Sylvia carried Beata on her hip as she went about the house lighting the lanterns as shadows of twilight began their long stretch across the quiet grounds. The watch did their rounds in congenial silence with only the rustle of boots and the creak of armor to stir the air. The night was peaceful, routine, and everyone was about their business.

The cook, however, had come down with an implacable cold, so it was every man or woman for themselves. In addition, no matter how much Miriam had tried to cajole her against doing so, Sylvia convinced the lady with gentle ribbing that she could take care of the children on her own for one night. When the last rim of the setting sun slipped behind the trees, Sylvia shooed the nanny out to have a night with her visiting husband, Colwyn.

It made the main manor building somewhat eerie in its stillness, though the occasional bump from the upstairs was heard where Cian and Aidan were playing. Sylvia smiled soft and continued her work in lighting the lanterns of the hallways and moved to the door to light those just outside the entry.

The timing was somewhere between fortunate and natural ? Hudson had pulled his boat back out of the water in the morning and spent the afternoon at the warehouse wrapping up discussions and plans with Rhys. Packing had taken very little time, and his farewells to his sister and the rest of the Smith family had already been made.

Now the evening hours had taken him on the long walk to Yearling Brook. Passing the gate guard with a nod and a quiet word or two, he arrived at the front door while Sylvia balanced Beata on one hip and tried to light the front lanterns with her single remaining hand. ?Dae ye nae think that be a task easier wi? twa hands free, leannan?? Net-scarred hands reached out with the asking of the question, seeking to free Sylvia of Beata?s weight, and a small smile tugged at his mouth.

She laughed as she turned to the greeting. Beata no less delighted in the sight of the dark haired, dark eyed gentleman. Little arms reached and body outstretched against the tautness of a little cotton chemise towards Hudson before he was even near, which jolted Sylvia from her attention to the latch opening the lantern shutter. "Yes, I think that would be so." The lantern lighting waylaid for the moment, she gave up her daughter to his arms and then stepped up. Her free hand rested upon his shoulder in affectionate welcome accompanied by a kiss to his cheek. "It is a most pleasant surprise to see you, caraid. I hope there is nothing amiss." She searched his face and eyes for hints of any trouble.

?Nae at all. I?d hoped ye?d ha?e time for a wee visit before I left, though, saen th? ship sails in th? morning.? Taking Beata easily, Hudson bent his head to accept the kiss on his cheek and return a gentle press of lips against Sylvia?s forehead. Beata?s enthusiastic bouncing in his arms prompted a quiet laugh, and lines crinkled at the corners of his eyes when he smiled. ?Or will ye turn me away back tae th? lonely dark, mo bran?? It was a teasing question with just a hint of serious inquiry behind it, a question as to whether his unexpected visit was unwelcome.

A lighthearted swat at his arm, she turned to the task of lighting the lanterns once more, much the easier with both hands free. "Never to happen, though we are near to the dark as it is." A trio of gentle notes floated out in laughter as she moved from one lit lantern to the other dark and remedied its uneven state with a light to its own wick. "There now. Please come in and take your ease." She opened the door for his entrance and called up to the boys. "Cian, Aidan! Please come downstairs to play in the parlor."

The thudding of feet galloped down the hallway from above. One pair and then the slower second pair came down the steps with little hands clinging to the curve of the railing. "Master Hudson!" Cian smiled his greeting. Aidan, not yet done with his undertaking of getting down the stairs, the stocking feet making things more difficult, was not to be left out of the greeting and chimed his as well.

?Be I yer fellow, then?? Again there was teasing underlain with a note of uncertainty, though none of that uncertainty was reflected in the gentle kiss he returned her. In the corner, Cian and Aidan were making gagging noises and draping themselves over the chairs in simulated horror and death for the grown-up?s display. ?I?ll be glad for th? help, even th? aid o? th? twa strong lads in th? corner, if ye?ll be content wi? a stew ? I dinnae ken what ye ha?e stocked in th? larders, ye ken, but there be little ye cannae dae wi? a stew.?

Her expression soured at his teasing question, setting her stomach into knots if she was misreading him. The mouth turned grim but a questioning hint of light was still in her eyes. "If you would rather not be, then you had better stop kissing me."

Cian was all about the stopping the kissing and with hands to hips gave a nod. "Yeah, you can't just kiss people. It isn't the way it goes. Mum doesn't just kiss people.? All evidence to the contrary of just a moment ago neatly ignored. ?She kisses me and my brother and sister and my dad."

Sylvia felt her heart drop like a lead into her stomach, and she swallowed hard. "Cian, be a help to Master Hudson and stop being ridiculous. Aidan," she went to the pantry and drew out a small cloth bag. Its ties undone, she drew out a square shortbread cookie, "give the biscuit to your sister before she gets cranky and watch her please." Aidan did as he was told, and Cian, seeing nothing wrong with what he said, smiled up at Hudson for directions. "Now then," Sylvia found a smile for Hudson, "we are at your command, leannan."

A dark eyebrow lifted at the suddenly tight line of Sylvia?s lips, but he turned to Cian with a smile. ?Would ye ken if there be potatoes, lad, and where they be? Four o? them I think we?ll need.? When Cian bolted off and with Aidan busy trying to keep Beata from dropping the shortbread onto the floor, Hudson leaned in closer to Sylvia. ?I dinnae question my intent, mo croidhe, nae in th? least. ?Tis a wee unsure o? yer heart I be, and th? more when I ken I dinnae ha?e as much time for ye and th? bairns as ye deserve, and gone for weeks on th? morrow.?

The thudding of small feet back into the kitchen was announcement of Cian?s triumphant return, and Hudson straightened with a smile of his own. ?Grand, lad ? now dae ye ken where there be a large pot??

Sylvia had opened her mouth to reply and transferred it into a smile. "I will get the pot, Cian. I think perhaps some carrots as well, if Hudson thinks so."

Cian was less inclined to get the carrots, and offered instead. "Cabbage? Orrr," his mouth twisted about, teeth catching the edge of his bottom lip in a very familiar fashion, "rice? We got lotsa rice." He set the potatoes on the counter and went to do his mission without approval or correction given.

With a sigh, Sylvia smiled back, "We may end up with interesting stew if he gets to thinking of adding everything in the root cellar." With a more serious expression, she answered his earlier concern as she went to reach for a large pot as required. "Am I to expect more of you than you expect of me? There will be times when I must be away from you. As much as it sets me to worrying, like some silly girl, that you will find another who catches your fancy, I cannot demand time from you, when it may come some day the tables are turned. Whether you wish to continue the courting or not is in your hands, Hudson." Abruptly she announced. "Probably some water would be good, too." The pot set upon the stove top warmed with the heat of the stoked and kindled fire.

?Aye, water may be a wee bit o? help, and th? stew will be grand wi? cabbage and rice, though I might hope for a bit o? fish or rabbit?? Hudson found a knife and cutting board and began peeling and chopping the potatoes down to small cubes. ?Mo croidhe, ceisd ag ann beil a guidh gu suiridhe thu. A thu aincheas an dr?sta mi ag ann reausan.*? There was a gleam of mischief in black eyes when the Gaelic rolled from his tongue, but he kept on chopping the potatoes calmly.

(*"My heart, there is no question I wish to court you. And you doubt me with no reason.")

Salt and pepper, thyme and marjoram, onions and garlic ? with the help of the boys Hudson found what he needed and added it all to the pot. Meanwhile the story rolled on with barely a pause. ?We were down at th? edge o? one o? th? streams leading tae th? loch, wi? a mind tae fishing ? but we needed bait, o? course. Crickets and worms be fine bait if ye dinnae ha?e fish eggs tae hand, and sae we were digging and hunting.? With solemn nods of understanding from Cian and Aidan, Hudson smiled and went on.

?Beathan didnae ha?e a problem wi? catching th? crickets, but sommat about th? worms set him tae edge. Well, we kenned that, but ?twas funny tae watch him try tae crawl from his skin, and sae we made him hold th? jar wi? our bait.? Again black eyes wrinkled up at the corners when Hudson?s mischievous smile showed. ?And then I had a grand idea. After all, when ye catch a fish, ye be eating what just ate th? worm. Why nae just cut out th? middle step??

Cian's nose crinkled up at the idea. Aidan was not quite sure what he meant, but then understanding followed and started to laugh. "Cian may be turned off of eating fish for the rest of his days," Sylvia whispered with a gentle laugh to her daughter. With an eye on the little girl, she sat back, letting Beata play with her hands, twisting fingers and pulling on them.

Catching the edge of Sylvia?s whisper to Beata, Hudson looked over his shoulder and winked at her. At his request, Cian found a long-handled spoon suitable for stirring the stew, and Hudson showed both Cian and Aidan how to stir the bubbling broth to keep it from burning without accidentally burning themselves. He continued the story while supervising the boys.

Sylvia let her mind drift as she watched her sons and Hudson. The shape of the man?s shoulders and easy manner in which he stood and moved were drawn in her mind?s eye. The fall of the kilt across his shoulder and around his body all drew up the brief flare of concern at the challenges that lay before them.

A memory of a conversation some time ago when Shylah asked him of what was worn underneath the kilt twisted the concern into merry thought and brought Sylvia's hand to her mouth. She pushed back a threatening laugh that would have been out of place and caused curiosity on more than one front. Instead, she tried to bring her thoughts back to the present and the story being told.

?Aye, Aidan has th? righ? o? it ? I dared th? lot o? my brathairs tae eat a worm apiece. They made faces like Cian?s, but they didnae protest ? or nae like Beathan did. Ranting and raving, and we set tae teasing him for nae being brave enow tae dae it. And och, that dinnae be a thing ye wish tae say tae a Fraiser! He turned and threw down th? jar, and then he said verra clearly, ?I?ll eat more worms than any o? ye! Just ye watch! I?ll ha?e worms for morning, noon and night!? Hudson?s voice was thick with contained laughter as he remembered that scene.

Aidan was near to fits with the giggles. With a scolding look, Cian hissed, "Watch out, Aidan, you'll bump the stew." It was more the thought that he wouldn't be brave enough to eat worms making him testy than Aidan being anywhere near to bumping the pot of stew.

Beata thought Aidan's laugh was funny as anything being said around her and started to laughing as well. It was a bright giggle pitched with squeals. That set Sylvia off to laughing, though she kept it held back and ducking her head in the restraint of it. In order to help keep a more serious mien, she cleared her throat and frowned at Hudson. "That was wicked of you."

Sylvia took her first spoonful of the stew while Beata was busy mushing down the stew savoring soaked bread. It felt warm and silenced the tight murmurings of a stomach on the verge of protest. With the stomachs all being contented, Sylvia asked of Hudson, ?Do you anticipate the trade agreement to go well? I have heard Rhys speak of some concerns to the matter. The people there are quite unique, is that so? Perhaps, if it is a cultural issue, Jolyon could be induced to go along. He is quite knowledgeable in a variety of cultures.? It was a moment of reflection on the timing. "Though," she began as she wiped up a spill on Beata's tray, "he is in the middle of the wine making."

The boys had taken to kicking at each other beneath the table. Sylvia gave Cian a narrowed, warning look and set her hand on Aidan?s leg to still his attempts. The boys were less than pleased with being disturbed in their leg war. The displeasure did not last long when Aidan, oblivious to the fact the adults were having a conversation, asked, ?Master Hudthson, I can eat wormsth, too.?

?No you will not,? Sylvia rebuked. ?Eat your stew. Tastes better and is better for you.?

Aidan did with glee, another spoonful with a drip escaping his mouth that Sylvia wiped away, but he was smiling all the proof and truth he needed that he could eat worms.

Beata leaned forward with her mouth open, eager for more. Sylvia drew out a softened potato from her stew, mashed it against the side of the bowl and then offered it to her daughter along with some of the stew. Between the potatoes, apple, biscuit, and bread, Bea was getting a very full and varied meal. Little legs wiggled in the high chair and arms wiped across her face, smearing across cheeks dribbled remains of stew or crumbs of bread promptly cleaned up by Sylvia.

The small manor house sighed against the outside cooling winds and snuggled close around the family and their company. Leaves from the orchard, sinking into their preparations for winter with changing colors, shuttered and shook in the breeze. It was a gentler echo of the forest beyond, where old trees groaned and stretched in the press of the wind. None of this reached the contented warmth of the kitchen, where a fortuitous meal built up friendships and affections amid the laughter of children and in the shadow of memories.

Hudson?s laughter was wrestled back with some effort. He managed to keep a level tone, though his black eyes were merry. ?And what aid dae ye need in seeing these monster-slayers tae their rest? For even th? bravest heroes need tae sleep now and then.? While the first part of the question was directed to Sylvia, the second statement was to Cian and Aidan.

?And ye?ll ha?e a more important task than coming wi? me tae aid in th? cooking, lads. Saen I?ll nae be here, ye?ll ha?e tae keep watch o?er yer mathair and wee Beata ? and ye?ll need yer rest for that, tae.?

It was enough to convince Aidan, puffing up his chest with the thought of being a hero. Cian, though, had a shrewd mind, and saw the gentleman was up to some kind of trickery. Not able to root it out, for what he had said made perfect sense, he gave a nod. "Yes, I am the head of the family now. I should stay and look after mum and Bea." He huffed then and nodded going along the hallway for the stairs. "It is very hard work."

Muttering under her breath, Sylvia added, "I am such trouble," as if their roles were reversed for just a moment. In a smile to Hudson, she shook her head, "No trouble, really."

Yet, swift on that gentle refusal, came a second thought. If he was willing to stay, she would rather spend some of the time left with him than wrestling the children into bed. "On the other hand, you having grown up with six brothers, you have a good idea what nighttime preparations are like. If you would be so good as to make sure Aidan and Cian," she started to cast her voice up the stairs to chase after the boys who had started up to playing again, "wash their faces and hands thoroughly and clean their teeth," looking back to Hudson as she took the first step of the stairs, "I would be most grateful."
She continued up the stairs. Beata, with a full tummy and a blissful baby cheeked smile, rested her head on her mother's shoulder with little fingers playing in the length of black hair.

The gentle request was met with a simple nod of agreement. ?Aye, o? course.? Hudson followed Sylvia up the stairs with a smile at Bea?s sweet look. When he reached the room where the boys were playing, he leaned in the doorway and lifted one dark brow. Apparently Aidan had been delegated to the role of bog monster at the moment, and Cian was chasing him around the room while Aidan made roaring noises.

?Ye ken, o? course, what th? best weapon against th? bog monsters be?? The boys pulled up short at the question and shook their heads in twin motions of question. A long stride took Hudson across the room to scoop up Aidan over his shoulder. ??Tis clean, fresh water, o? course, and th? scent o? sweet breath.?

Cian gave another suspicious look to Hudson, but once again could find no real flaw in the argument, and he trotted after Hudson, who was carrying the squealing Aidan down the hall to the washroom.

The squeal of Aidan, for the pitch alone revealed it to be so, Sylvia laughed, which made Bea giggle, too. "I think your brothers might find it a hard time to get away with doddling tonight." She tapped Bea's nose bringing up another giggle and started to get her ready for bed as well, with the nappy changed and new cotton chemise as well as short booties on.

She lifted up the little girl and took her to the washroom, calling out, "All well in here, then?" One hand reached across for a cloth, and dampening it some while avoiding the general commotion around the sink, she wiped Bea's face clean and then rubbed at the small teeth with the cloth as well. Bea tried to turn away and keep the wet cloth at bay with hands and hiding her face, but it was accomplished in the end.

Leaving the washroom to the domain of the boys and their overseer, she went down to the nursery, also shared with Miriam, and set into the rocking chair there to rock a few moments and quiet Beata down before setting her into her crib with the lilac sheets.

?Och, aye, we?re just slaying th? bog monster, and daeing a wee bit o? prevention tae keep him from returning.? Hudson was laughing now while he answered Sylvia?s question. To aid the cause of getting the boys to wash their faces and hands thoroughly, he had rolled back his sleeves and undertaken the same exercise, and then supervised them in the cleaning of teeth.

Only once both boys were clean did he escort them back to their bedroom and see them ready for bed. It was Aidan who asked the next question. ?Mathter Hudsthon, when will you be back??

About to extinguish the lanterns, Hudson paused and looked over at both boys, Cian waiting just as expectantly for the answer. ?I dinnae ken exactly, but I think we dinnae plan tae be gone more than a few weeks ? mayhap a month.? It was an answer given as plainly and simply as to any adult. After a moment he smiled a bit. ?I?ll leave th? light a wee bit more sae yer mathair can say good night.?