Page 31 of When a Highlander Vows
Her breathing was shaky, and she closed the book in her lap and put it on the side table. Her gaze moved from him to the other parts of the library, and he worried she would not tell him.
But she said, “At the sea, it was like being at me brother’s grave. I was happy for that, for it means that I can be on me own with him whenever I like. We are nae so greatly parted. But I miss him terribly.”
A similar pain crossed Lucas’ heart. Seamus had been a dear friend, always kind, always generous, showing Lucas what true happiness was. He said nothing, waiting for her to continue.
“This grief clings to me, and even though the sea is his grave, I hate that there is nay body to be recovered. That he cannae be buried properly or have a proper funeral service with a minister.” Her tears began anew. “I ken me parents would hate that. It makes it seem as though he will be forgotten by all who kenned him.”
She wiped her tears with the back of her hand, and Lucas stood, holding out a hand to help her to stand.
“Nay one could forget Seamus, Lass.” To his own surprise, he drew her into a hug, pressing her body against him.
This time, the desire was dimmed, hidden only behind a shared grief. A need to feel the sadness and loss with another. He breathed in her rosewater scent and closed his eyes.
“I am sorry for the loss of yer family, Lass. I ken what it is to lose,” he whispered against her ear, and he felt her shiver even as she gripped him tightly.
“Thank ye.”
“Now,” he said firmly. “I think ye should take a rest.” He took her hand and put it on his arm.
They spoke softly of Seamus as they went up the stairs, and when he opened the door to her chamber and led her inside, he realized he’d never spoken so softly and kindly to anyone in thewhole of his life. Even his dear Nan who deserved so much, he often spoke to angrily.
Caitlin sat on the bed, and she looked up at him. “Thank ye,” she said. “I am tired.”
“Rest now, Lass.” He leaned down and brushed his lips against her forehead.
He held them there for a moment, and then he pulled away, feeling an odd stirring in his chest. He pulled back quickly and stood so that he was not tempted to kiss her again in that foolish manner, kissing her like it was keeping him alive.
“Until later,” he said, turning to go.
“Lucas,” she said, making him turn back toward her and catch her brown-eyed gaze. “Ye are well? The journey was a success?”
“Aye. Rest, Caitlin.” He left then and shut the door behind him, walking slowly down the stairs, thinking to himself.
He’d not done anything upon his return except walk to his study, and he’d inadvertently come across the woman who’d been haunting his dreams the whole of his journey away. When in that chamber with her, he had seen another side to himself he didn’t know existed.
His parents had been all anger and stone, and he thought he was the same. It was his makeup, deep down in his bones, but thatwas a different Lucas to the one in the library. The softspoken, gentle Lucas who helped a grieving woman up to bed to allow her to rest was a stranger to him.
But maybe Caitlin brought out something new in him. Either way, all he knew was that he wanted to dry her tears. He wanted to honor her brother and give her a chance to say goodbye to her brother properly. He had an idea, but it would take talking to Nan to do it. And he knew he was going to get a tongue lashing for at least a half an hour about how he’d left so suddenly and for so long.
Och well, Caitlin is worth it.
16
“The poor lass still abed?” Nan asked, frowning as they sat at the dinner table together. “Has food been brought to her?”
“Aye, I made sure of it,” Lucas said, fresh from a long bath and feeling more energized now that steaming hot food was in front of him.
A few days on the road had provided less than bountiful and delicious meals.
“Good.” She was done talking to him with rancor now, after he’d listened to her tirade for about as long as he thought it would be. “Now that ye are back, I think ye will play a proper host to our guest. She has been doin’ well here though, Lad. She seems resigned to her new fate now.”
“That’s good, Nan,” Lucas said, distracted by the path of his plans. “I have an idea, and I think ye will agree it is a good one,but I will need yer help. And before ye ask, it is about me playin’ a proper host to and protector of me best friend’s sister.”
“Wonderful, then ye may speak freely,” she said with a flourish of the hand as she picked up her wine with the other.
“Nan, ye plan to have Caitlin’s welcome feast in the next few days, aye?”
“Aye,” she said. “It is in preparation now.”
