Page 71 of When a Highlander Vows
“Stop that,” she said, wrapping her arms about his neck. “Ye are good. I willnae live the rest of our lives havin’ ye hold me so high above ye.”
“Easy to dae, with one such as ye.” He kissed her before she could say anything else about it, but he knew they needed to leave the study soon. With a sigh, he said, “I suppose we ought togo out and have the evenin’ meal. I am sure people are wonderin’ where we are.”
“Aye,” Caitlin said, “and hopefully nay one is listenin’ at the door.”
He grimaced. “Heaven forbid.” He helped her jump down from the desk, and she smoothed her skirts.
Lifting the spectacles up, he asked, “Will ye wear them? I am sure everyone will want to see them, and then ye can see how strong they are, by looking around the main hall.”
“Aye,” she said, “Will ye help me?”
She turned around, and he helped her place them properly, tying the ribbon in the back.
“I still cannae believe it,” she said.
Walking to the door, she turned around and reached out a hand. “Shall we go?”
He looked down at it, and then reached out to grasp it. His hand was so large and hers so small, and yet they seemed to fit perfectly together. His was rough, and hers was smooth, but he would work on not feeling so much shame about that fact.
“Aye, let’s go.” He opened the door, and leaning toward her, he brushed a kiss against her cheek. “I hope ye enjoy seein’ the world with yer new eyes, Sunshine.”
Grinning, she led the way, and Lucas allowed himself to be led. For surely, he would follow anywhere.
36
Once they entered the main hall, the pets found them, rushing through the door to them. Caitlin paused in the doorway, Lucas’ hand still holding hers.
“Dear Lord,” she whispered to herself as she looked up and around.
Everything thing, every detail in the room was clear. From the artwork to the armor to the outline of stones in the castle wall. She could even see the individual flames in the fire in the hearth. And then when her eyes turned to the group of people sitting at the longest table in the hall, she could see each of their faces clearly and from a distance.
Colin, Sarah, Archie, Paige, and Lottie all were looking at her with amazement as well as happiness.
“So ye have finally joined us! I took the liberty of invitin’ everyone to have our evenin’ meal with us,” Lottie said with a big smile.
It embarrassed her to think that everyone seemed to know about her and Lucas, but with her mind more focused on what she was seeing with her eyes, she didn’t care. It was incredible, something she’d never thought possible in the whole of her life.
What would Seamus think of this? she thought with delight and a tinge of sadness that he was not there to share in her happiness.
“Caitlin, what are ye wearin’?” Colin called, cocking his head to the side.
With Lucas’ hand in hers, she approached the table. Everyone’s eyes followed her, and everyone was interested in what she wore on her eyes.
“This is the reason Lucas left all of a sudden,” she said. “He went to get me this beautiful gift. They are spectacles; they help me to see. It is an amazin’ thing,” She looked at him, and he smiled at her, squeezing her hand.
She looked around the hall, still amazed at how perfectly she could see it all. It would never get old or tiresome, to be able to see the world again.
I cannae wait to see the sea.
“Aye, I had heard about them from Paige, and I went in search of them. I was so lucky to find them too. It did nae take me long.”
“Fate had a hand in things,” Lottie said. “I knew it would. How wonderful.” She pulled Caitlin into an embrace, and the others did the same, coming to congratulate her.
She started crying and laughing at the same time, and once all the greetings had been made, Lucas led her to a seat. Everyone seemed to know that there was now something between them, even if she wasn’t yet entirely sure what it was. But she knew that Lucas would share his heart when he was ready, and she too would share hers. But now, it was enough to be close to him, to know that he cared for her deeply, that they’d given one another such wonderful pleasure. The gift he’d given her was a true gesture of his love. She had been given her sight again.
After they sat, Paige, reached over to grab Caitlin’s hand and whispered, “I am so happy for ye, Lass,” she said, watching as Caitlin removed the spectacles and set them next to her.
With everyone so close to her, she could see their faces clearly.
