Page 18 of When a Highlander Vows
Chuckling, she picked a seat by the hearth and picked Percy up onto her lap. Petting the cat, she smirked at Lucas.
“It was just a bit of incentive to get ye to start thinkin’ about the future.”
“Nan, this is ridiculous, and ye ken it well! I have a clan to run, to focus on. I daenae need to be plagued with these games! Besides that, ye embarrassed us both. How was I to explain why me grandmaither locked us both in the garden, leavin’ us on our own? What possible bloody reason could I give for that utter nonsense?”
He sighed and sat down again. It was no good to yell, for his Nan would never budge on this matter.
“Lucas,” she said after a few seconds, still petting Percy on the head. “I am sorry for any embarrassment, and I would never wish to embarrass the young lass who has come to stay with us. But there is somethin’ about her. I can feel it. She has the power, Lad. The gift. Somethin’ that makes people look up and take notice. Mark me words, ye will come to see it too. I just needed ye to get out of yer own head so that ye will notice it.”
Lucas looked away and instead stared at the flames in his hearth. He rubbed his jaw in frustration.
Aye, I have already seen it.
“All I ask is that ye daenae embarrass us again, Nan. Caitlin, I will have ye ken, for all yer belief in us bein’ a good match, wants nothin’ to dae with me.”
“What dae ye mean?” She stood, and Percy jumped unhappily to the ground, letting out a low growl of displeasure at being so hastily moved.
Smirking, Lucas realized he had the upper hand. Caitlin being angry with him, and she was surely even angrier after that kiss, would make things all the easier. They would never have to see each other save at mealtimes. And he could sometimes take his meals elsewhere, claiming he was far too busy.
“I mean that she was very happy to hear that she need nae see me at all. That she will only be speakin’ to ye and the others. She doesnae like me after I threatened her to come to the Castle. How I forced her into fulfilling the vow I made with her brother. So, I think all yer matchmakin’ schemes will dae little else but anger and embarrass us all.”
He waited for her answer, watching as she thought of how to reply or thought of an excuse.
“I kenned ye would scare her away with yer gruffness, Lucas. Ye must be kind. I ken ye are a kind man, that ye have it in yer heart, nay matter what ye think. But ye refused to show it.”
He practically growled. “Good night, Nan. We will speak nay more of this for we clearly daenae agree. Now, will ye leave me in peace for the night? I have things to think on.”
“Ye certainly do.” She walked to the door, and Fallows and Percy scampered out. “Just remember. Life is still worth livin’, Lucas. Nae just hidin’ away from.”
He didn’t get the chance to answer before she shut the door, and he was fully alone again. He’d been wanting it all evening, and yet he felt like something was missing.
10
The next morning, Caitlin awoke and blinked open her eyes. The thick woolen covering over the bed was clear with its designs of battle and heroes woven in yellow and green over a red backdrop. She stared at it for a few seconds, always enjoying when things were clear to her eyes. She knew that in seconds, when she cast her eyes out of the bed and across the chamber, the blurry world she’d come to know would exist again.
Like this, she could pretend for just a little while longer that she had no disability. That she was just like everyone else and could do anything anyone else could do. Folding her fingers together over her stomach, she sat like that and just breathed. Staring at the design of the bed cover, she could forget about everything.
She could forget about Seamus’ death and the loss of her parents, the loss of her home, and now, the almost kiss with the laird just last night. It was a brief moment of peace, but it was broken sharply by a knock at the door.
“Good morrow, Miss,” Arla said as she bustled inside, hauling a bucket of water.
Caitlin couldn’t see her from behind the bed curtains, but she could hear the sloshing and the struggle as Arla heaved. She sat up as the sound of pouring water hit her ears, and she slipped from the bed, opening the curtains to her fuzzy world.
“Good morrow, Arla,” Caitlin said, giving the young girl a brief smile.
“And how’d ye sleep, Miss?” Arla stepped forward, and Caitlin could see her face more clearly than she had last night.
She was young with bright red hair and a smattering of freckles. It seemed a smile was permanently fixed on her face. Having her as a maid would be no trouble.
Arla wiped a hand over her brow and put her hands on her slim hips. “I have poured water for ye to wash yer face this morn, and I will lay out a gown for ye to help ye dress.”
“Thank ye, Arla. Ye are too kind.” Rachel had helped Caitlin to dress, and right then, she missed her old friend and companion dearly. “Are ye certain ye have the time? I ken I am a new guest here.”
“Och, of course! The Laird’s Nan herself assigned me to ye, said that I must focus only on ye and whatever ye need. That ye are to be as comfortable as one of the family.”
With another smile, Arla moved away to the wooden wardrobe where she’d unpacked Caitlin’s things last night. There were not many dresses to Caitlin’s name, but she’d brought her best ones, and she would have to collect the others later.
“There is a dressmaker in the closest village, Miss. I am sure the Laird’s Nan would take ye there to get a few new gowns if ye like. These are nae enough if ye are to stay as long as I’ve been told.”
