Page 14 of When a Highlander Vows
Caitlin turned, but since it was dark, and the roses too far away, she could hardly see them.
“Thank ye,” she croaked, not wanting to keep reminding people of her limitations.
At least I can smell them. I can smell all the flowers here. At least in that way, the garden is beautiful in me mind.
Paige continued mumbling about something with Lottie at her side, and Caitlin held tight to the laird as he led her down the path.
“Ye must let me ken if I am movin’ too fast,” he said.
“I am nae an invalid,” she said sharply, more sharply than she’d intended.
The laird breathed in, not saying anything right away. “I dinnae mean that, Lass. Nae at all. I am just nae used to—”
“To helpin’ someone who has nae the same abilities as ye. Aye, nae many people have.” Her mood was only getting worse, as was her headache.
She could feel the laird stiffen under her hand. “It is brave for a lass to treat her laird with such disgust,” he said briskly, staring straight ahead.
No longer could she see or hear the others. The tall trees and bushes and plants surrounded the garden path, and with the full moon shining down on them, the hoots of owls and songs of grasshoppers filling the space, it seemed like the two of them were lost on their own, in the middle of nowhere.
“Disgust is nae the word. Anger or frustration perhaps,” she supplied, trying her best to lighten her tone.
Even if she did not want it, the manwashelping her. He was trying to do the right thing by her brother. And he was one of the people who shared her grief, at least in part. She needed to be somewhat kind.
“Forgive me, me Laird, it is only because I wasnae ready to leave.” She looked around at the garden. “I daenae ken this place. It is nae me home. Although yer grandmaither has been very kind.”
“I ken. And I made ye come. I wanted to make sure ye were well, that Seamus would have nothin’ to fault me for from his grave.” Both of them tensed at the mention of her brother’s death.
Never again would she hear her brother’s laugh or see his cheeky smile. She’d never hear him chide her again or tell her how much she was loved. Would there be anyone else who could be that for her? Something inside of her hardened a bit.
“I am sorry for yer loss, Lass. I cannae remember if I have said it before or not.” Caitlin turned with a frown to the man who’d spoken so softly and gently.
It was completely opposite to the gruff man who’d threatened her earlier that day.
“Thank ye,” she sniffed. “He would want me to be happy, I ken that. I can simply nae imagine, though, that he would want me to be alone away from me home.”
“Ye are nae alone,” the laird said quickly. “Ye have all of us here. We will do our best to make ye feel at home.”
Caitlin smiled despite her sadness. “I daenae think everyone is happy about me arrival.”
“Och,” he nodded. “Ye mean the healer. She is like that with everyone,” he said, although Caitlin knew he was lying. “Nae pleasant, and I am afraid it doesnae help her with her healin’. There are many who lie sick or injured simply because they are afraid to send for her.”
To her surprise, Caitlin laughed at the image his words created in her mind. “How unfortunate. I am certain she is nae as bad as that. When the time comes, she will dispatch her healin’ duty properly. How else would she decide to be a healer then? It is a sacred calling.”
“Sacred,” the laird repeated, looking down at his feet as they walked through the space.
The smell of flowers was growing strong, and a little wave of calm came over her.
“Then dae ye believe that a vow is sacred?” he asked, turning to her slightly.
“Aye. A vow is a sacred thing. God kens what we promise to one another.” She had not much use for God after all that had happened in her life, but she could not rid herself of the thought that someone was watching over her from above.
“Well, then ye can understand me and why I want to keep ye here.” His face grew stern again. “Ye shouldnae doubt it. Let it be as it is. I have made a vow, and this is what yer brother wanted.”
Caitlin tensed again, the moment of calm over. “I think I have had enough talk for one day about what is good for me. I will have to decide that for meself, ye ken. Even though vows are sacred, it doesnae mean that I should be passed around as if I am one of the objects me brother would carry away for sale on his ship. Surely ye can understand feelings and sentiments, me Laird. Or perhaps ye cannae,” she challenged.
He paused and turned, pulling their arms apart so that he faced her, his eyes cold.
“I thought we have shown ye kindness. That there is a place for ye here. But I see that we are to be met with coldness, nae matter what I dae. Whether I am gruff or soft. Daenae worry yerself, Lass. Ye willnae need to speak to me at all. Yer business is with me grandmaither and the others. I am very happy to be left alone and to leave ye alone in kind.”
