Page 17 of When a Highlander Vows
Caitlin stared after him for as long as she could see him, and she pressed her lips together to hold back the tears.
“Are ye all right, dear?” Lottie asked, concern in her eyes.
Caitlin swallowed and faced the old woman. “Och, aye, forgive me. I think I am simply tired. It has been a long day.”
“So it has. The others have gone to their beds now, and they told me to bid ye good night.” She took Caitlin’s arm and patted her hand as they walked into the long passageway of the castle.
Lottie closed and locked the door behind them. “Caitlin, ye will have to forgive me grandson. He has never been very good with manners, I’m afraid.”
“It is nay concern,” Caitlin said, and her voice was thick with emotion. “I ken he has had a difficult day as well, invitin’ a stranger into his home.”
She did not mention the strange battle, seeing that he’d not told his grandmother.
“Och, he has done what was best, and now ye are here with us.” Caitlin could hear how pleased the old woman was.
She cleared her throat. “I wonder, Lottie, why was the garden door locked? It seemed to make the laird very angry.”
Lottie laughed, and she winked at Caitlin. “Just an old trick I like to play on me young grandson. He is far too serious, and sometimes he needs a reminder that life is to be enjoyed.” She shook her head, and her smile remained, but it softened a little. “He and I have both endured hardship in our lives, but while I laugh, he glowers. I want him to enjoy his youth, ye see.”
Caitlin listened as Lottie led her through the passage, past the main hall, and up the stairs. “I hope ye enjoyed yer first dinnerhere at the Castle. Pay nay mind to Paige.” Lottie rolled her eyes. “The lass has far too high an opinion of herself. Fashions herself as the bonnie one here in the Castle. Nay doubt she felt a spike of jealousy when she saw yer bonnie face and heard ye meant to stay.”
Caitlin blushed, and she was glad when they stopped outside her door. “Surely ye daenae mean that, Lottie. What a silly thing.”
“Nae at all! I speak the truth, Lass. There is nae a soul who could nae see what beauty ye have. Now, ye go in there and have yerself a bath. There is a maid to help ye, and the water is already in the tub for ye.”
“Thank ye, Lottie. Ye have been very kind.” She could feel the tears coming, and she couldn’t wait to get into her chamber and finally let them free once the maid left.
“Welcome. See ye on the morrow, Lass. We’ll have much to discuss.”
Lottie gave her another smile and then left. With relief, Caitlin turned into her chamber.
The maid, named Arla, was kind and gentle. She helped Caitlin into the bath, poured her a glass of wine and left her on her own. Caitlin sat for a long while, staring into the flames in her hearth. It was summer, and yet it was fading soon. The chill was slowly coming back into the air, and with the stone walls which now encased her, it was chillier still.
But the soapy water was warm, and she felt comfortable and cozy in the chamber she’d been given. Sipping at her wine, she allowed the feeling of warmth to seep through her every muscle.
I willnae think about that almost kiss. I willnae.
But every time she forced her mind away from it, the memory of it came sneaking back. She could still see the desire in his eyes, and the way his body felt against her own. She eventually allowed her mind to sink into the memory, and she laid her head back on the tub and gave into it.
Lucas went to his study right after they’d escaped from the library, and he hadn’t looked back. He could hear his grandmother speaking some nonsense to Caitlin before he found his way to his study and slammed the door behind him.
The dog, Fallows, and the cat, Percy, jumped at the sound. He ignored them. Groaning aloud with fury, he went to sit down. But after only a few seconds, he found he could not sit. Instead, he got up and paced. He had just fought two strange men that night as well as threatened a young lass to come to his Castle.
And ye nearly kissed her. Nearly devoured her with yer foolish desire.
“So what? Is that a terrible thing? She was leanin’ into me as well,” he said allowed turning to the two animals who’d curled up again by the small hearth in his study.
She wanted me to kiss her. I am sure of it.
She did not hide away or cower from the strength of his desire. In fact, she had pulled him close, seeming to want more until the sound of the door opening had broken whatever spell had been cast. For it felt like a spell. She’d drugged him, and he was acting foolish instead of the logical being he usually was.
He groaned again before he sat down and pulled a map toward him, once he rummaged through his pile of papers. He had to focus elsewhere. Thinking about that near kiss would do no one any good, and if it happened again, he was certain his grandmother would find out and think it a proposal.
“Lucas,” his grandmother said, knocking and then opening the door.
“Och, there are me two beauties,” she said, smiling when she spotted Fallows and Percy. “I was wonderin’. Keepin’ yerselves away when ye’ve a guest to comfort.” She scolded them with a pointed finger. “Now, as for ye,” she said, turning to him, and he stood, his fury growing to be too much.
“What? Was I nae a proper guest, Nan? Especially after ye locked us in the garden like we were two fools?”
