Page 67 of When a Highlander Vows
It wasn’t just two rounded circles of glass with ribbons, which she would use to tie around her head or her ears. The peddler had a number of choices, and when he found out how poorly Caitlin could see, he chose a certain one and said she could wear them as often as she liked.
Now, Lucas was riding home with his gift and with his heart full, but with hardly the right words to say to Caitlin once he approached. He had never been much of a speaker in any sense of the word. Words didn’t flow as poetically as one might hope during a romantic moment, not that he’d had much of those in his life. But he tried his best as he rode along, thinking of just a few words he might say to let her know that he wanted to be with her. Even though he was afraid. Even though he had a tortured past.
He hurried outside the castle after dark, and Searbas was clearly fatigued. When Lucas jumped down, he patted his horse on the neck and leaned against him.
“Ye have done me a service, Lad, more than I could ever repay. Ye will earn yer reward this eve.”
Searbas whinnied, nudging against him, and Lucas knew he was forgiven. A servant hurried from the gates, and he took the horse, greeting Lucas as he did. Lucas didn’t waste any time. He rushed through the entrance door, pulling off his coat, nodding to the guards on the way in. The spectacles were in a small box in the pocket of his kilt, and he brushed a hand against the small package, bolstering his courage. This would be the first time that he would declare love for someone else. A love that both thrilled and terrified him. A love that both filled him and made him feel exposed.
“Where is she?” he demanded to a passing servant once he got into the main entranceway.
“There are guests, Laird, in the main hall. The baker’s lad and the other one. Sittin’ with Paige and Miss Caitlin.”
Lucas growled and stepped past the servant. He would certainly tell Bram where he could go. When he pushed through the doors to the main hall, all he saw was Paige and Martin, drinking wine and standing together near one of the large hearths.
“Where is she?” he asked without greeting, striding toward them, thunder in his eyes.
“Yer grandmaither is up in bed, Lucas. She couldnae stay awake,” Paige said, surprised by his brusque words.
“I mean Caitlin, Lass. Where is she? With that rogue, nay doubt.”
“In the garden,” Paige said, still confused, but then she cracked a smile. “Good luck to ye,” he thought he heard her say as he ran off to the gardens, ready to tear Bram limb from limb.
Once he reached the garden, it was dim. He hurried out into the garden path, searching, listening. Ran all the way to the end and that was when he heard a helpless squeak coming from one of the alcoves. His heart full of fear, he rushed the closest one and there he found Caitlin pressed up against the back wall, Bram in front of her, using a mocking, soothing tone.
“Come now, Lass. Ye have been makin’ eyes at me each time we meet. Ye ken yer feelings, and ye are only bein’ shy about it.”
“Nay, I am nae,” Caitlin said, firmly pushing against his shoulders. “I daenae want ye to dae this. I have nay feelings for ye.”
She pushed again, but Bram stood firm.
“But—” Bram didn’t get another word out before Lucas grabbed the back of his shirt, yanking him from the alcove, fury and rage mixing together and rising to a dangerous degree inside him.
“Ye dare force yerself on me ward? The lass who has come here for protection?! Ye dare force yerself on any lass?” he yelled, his angry voice echoing against the walls of the garden.
Bram’s confident tone had turned to one of begging. “I…I am sorry, Me Laird, I dinnae mean—”.
Lucas hit him before Bram had a chance to say anything. It was one swift punch across the jaw and Bram fell to the ground like a stone.
“Lucas!” Caitlin cried, and she rushed to his side, grabbing at his arm.
Bram struggled to stand, and Lucas leaned down, picking up the boy’s arm roughly, pulling him close to his face.
“I daenae want ye to miss a bloody word of this, Lad, but if ye ever touch this woman again, if ye ever look at her in a way I daenae like, then I will cut both yer hands off, and ye willnaesubject anyone else to yer disgustin’ ways.” Lucas spat on the ground after he spoke and pushed Bram backward.
The lad’s nose was bloody, and Lucas could see he was now cowed. “Aye, aye, Me Laird,” he stuttered and then stumbled away through the garden and out through the corridor.
“Good riddance,” Lucas said, still bristling with anger, but he could also still feel Caitlin’s soft hands grasping his arm.
It helped to cool the anger and fear he’d felt when he’d come upon them. Turning toward her, he lifted a hand to her cheek.
“Sunshine, are ye all right?” he asked. “Did he hurt ye?”
She was breathing hard, but her eyes were looking straight into his. He brushed a hand over her chin, his eyes looking down at her mouth.
“Nay, he dinnae. Thank ye, Lucas. I wasnae sure what to dae.”
“Ye should never have to feel that way. I am sorry I wasnae here.”
