Page 57 of When a Highlander Vows
“Nay,” Caitlin said, her voice barely audible.
But ye would wish to find yerself on the other end of his kiss, she reminded herself and then blushed.
“Are ye all right, Caitlin?” Bram asked, dipping his head to look at her.
“Aye, well enough,” she said quickly, annoyed that her blushing was becoming a constant habit. “But I think I would like to return to the Castle.”
“Aye, me as well,” Paige echoed, and Caitlin wondered if her new friend was going to attempt to flirt with Lucas again.
Daenae think of that. Why should ye care?
That thought unsettled her as they chatted amiably on their way back to the castle. When the men left, Paige took her arm and led her through the gates.
“I think Bram is quite smitten,” Paige said.
“So is Martin.”
Paige sighed. “Och, he shouldnae be. We are only friends. I daenae care for him in that way. What about Bram?” she asked in a girlish whisper. “Dae ye care for him in that way?”
“I,” Caitlin stammered. “I daenae ken. I am so unused to things like this.”
“Of course. And I suppose if ye did, ye would ken it. It would be right there on yer heart, showin’ ye.”
Caitlin nodded, wondering if that was true. If it was, then she had her answer, but it was not one she wanted to think about.
“I must return to the healer’s chambers. Sarah needs me help, for her babe is soon to come, I think. Her discomfort rises.”
“Och, dae give her me best. I will go to visit her in her chamber later.”
Paige grinned. “Aye, I will tell her, Lass.” Paige squeezed her arm and then turned away to the stairs which led down to the healer’s chamber.
Caitlin was on her own, and with a fear that she might run into Lucas, she went to the library. Reading would calm her nerves as well as steady her after seeing Lucas like that. When she reached the library, she stole inside quietly and shut the door behind her. Books were sacred things, and the room which held them was a sanctuary.
Walking as if she was in a church, she entered the library to find her favorite seat by the fire taken. By none other than Lucas.
“Och, Lucas,” she said, a sudden heat coursing through her veins. “I dinnae realize ye would wish to come to the library after yer journey.”
“Aye,” he said, standing, a cross look on his features.
He was fully clothed now, but Caitlin couldn’t help but imagine him without, his perfect, masculine body bared to her view.
“And who is that bastard ye were holdin’ ontae so tightly out there?” he asked suddenly, without preamble.
Her mouth opened in surprise, but she quickly regained her composure. “Ye met him and heard his name. Why does it matter to ye? He is a friend, and he enjoys visitin’ us here.”
“Us, is it?” Lucas asked. “I am certain he comes to see ye and ye only, the way he was lookin’ at ye as if he wished to devour ye.”
With a huff, Lucas turned away and began to pace, a hand passing angrily through his dark hair and then over his beard. “I dinnae like the look of him.”
Caitlin lifted a brow, and she pointed at Lucas when he turned around. “Ye cannae tell me who I am to befriend. I am just residin’ in yer castle. We are nae beholden to one another, nor will I remain if I am to be cowed into submission by ye. I will dae as I please.”
Lucas eyes darkened with fury. His hands moved from his waist to hang at his sides, and they clenched into fists.
“And if I think that the man ye spend time with is a rogue and a cad, ye willnae listen?”
She crossed her arms and took a step back. Despite their anger with one another, she could still feel the draw of him. His possessive gaze, his towering body, the way he smelled. All of it threatened to weaken her resolve. But right then she needed to be focused.Hewas in the wrong.
“Ye may tell me what ye like. But I willnae simply obey ye because ye are used to it, or because ye speak angrily and expect others to bow down to yer will.” She moved her hands to her slim hips. “Besides,” she said, lifting her chin, gaining courage quickly, “Bram looks at me the way ye dae. With eyes like fire as if ye wish to—” She didn’t finish. After another breath, she said, “I daenae see how ye could judge him for—”
