Page 21 of When a Highlander Vows
“Well, it is nae often that me grandmaither keeps me up late after I travel,” he said, throwing her an angry look, but it only made her laugh.
“I had a wonderful idea, Lucas. I think ye should curtail any plans ye have for the day, and ye should make sure that Caitlin is all settled in. I suggest a ride of the land surrounding the Castle. What dae ye think?”
It took everything in Lucas not to put his head in his hands and groan.
11
“Lottie, ye daenae have to go to any trouble. I am happy to entertain meself for the day.”
Caitlin still felt uncomfortable using the old woman’s first name, but she knew Lottie would correct her if she didn’t.
“Nonsense. He would be happy to, would ye nae, Lucas?”
“Nan, I am meant to speak to Archie this mornin’. On matters of business. There will be another trip soon, to deal with a few skirmishes on the border, and there are some things that need to be sorted out.”
He glanced Caitlin’s way, and she looked down, thinking of the odd strangers they came upon. She blushed, knowing that he was a busy man, and here his grandmother was trying to force her upon him.
“Surely, nae. Nae when ye have only just returned,” Lottie said with a flash of her eyes.
Caitlin looked down at the food in front of her. She would focus there to avoid even further embarrassment. She didn’t like that Lottie was forcing her grandson to play host when she was perfectly capable of looking after herself.
She picked up a slice of warm bread and slathered it with honey and jam while Lucas and Lottie talked. What she really wanted to do was go to the library and spend a few hours reading. Reading always took her mind off things, and it made her feel less sheltered.
It was a little embarrassing that she’d never traveled farther than the clan lands, especially when she was telling it to the laird, who had to travel far and wide and had, no doubt, come across many fresh places and interesting people.
“What about the sea, Caitlin? Dae ye like the sea?” Lottie asked.
Caitlin looked up, swallowed her food, and answered, “I cannae say for I never been there. But from where I live on the hill atop the village, it looks like a great mystery of gray. Is it very dangerous to swim in it?”
“It can be,” Lucas said, not looking at her as he began to eat.
“But ye must be careful. Can ye swim?” Lottie asked.
Caitlin shook her head. “I never had cause to learn.”
“How wonderful. Lucas can teach ye that as well.”
“Nan,” Lucas said sharply, and Caitlin cut in.
“Please, I beg ye. I daenae wish to be of trouble to anyone.” She held up a hand. “I am also happy to return to me cottage whenever ye think it right.”
She hadn’t meant to say that last part, but it just came out. When no one replied right away, she started to eat again. She’d grown up being taught to care for herself and to help others, not to sit around and let others help her. It irritated her greatly, and she wanted nothing more just then than to gohome.
“Nonsense!” Lottie cried. It seemed a favorite ejaculation of hers. “Ye will stay right here. All I wish, Lass, is that ye ken the home in which ye now stay. Daenae worry. We willnae fuss over ye as if ye cannae care for yerself; I promise ye that. But when ye first move somewhere, ye want to become familiar with it. So that ye can dae as ye please once ye ken everywhere. Dae ye understand?”
Caitlin nodded, giving Lottie a faint smile. But she didn’t look at Lucas. He was clearly upset, and very unhappy to do what his grandmother was forcing him into.
“Just for today, then. Let’s say that,” Lottie continued, her eyes moving between the two of them.
Caitlin held her breath, waiting for Lucas to answer. Not knowing how he accomplished such a feat, Lucas spoke both softly and gruffly at the same time.
“Aye.”
The rest of breakfast was only slightly painful, for Lucas remained silent while Lottie spoke to Caitlin of clan matters and plans for a large gathering. A feast to welcome her.
“In a week’s time, I think, we will be fully prepared. Ye will be used to yer surroundings, and the kitchens will have had time to create a meal worthy of celebratin’ yer arrival, Lass. Lucas, ye must send men out to hunt for the meat. I want to invite as many people as possible.”
“Sounds wonderful,” Caitlin lied, trying to keep the peace to get through the rest of her day.
