Page 20 of Tempted By a Highland Beast
“‘Tis nay trouble at all.” Lilias settled herself in the chair by the fire, her movements graceful despite her youth. “I am only glad tae have another woman in the castle. It gets lonely sometimes, being the only one.”
Rowena shifted the furs aside and swung her legs over the side of the bed, standing carefully before making her way to the window. The warmth of the pie and the scent of honey drew her like a lure. She gave Lilias a small smile as she sat across from her.
“Surely there are other women?”
“Only maids and helpers. Which matters little to me, but Faither threw a fit when he found out I was befriending them, so he forbade me.”
“That is unfortunate. I am sorry.”
“Aye. Now, tell me. The pie. What dae ye reckon?”
Rowena reached for the pie, biting into the flaky crust and savoring the rich flavors within. It was delicious, clearly made with care and skill. “This is wonderful. Thank ye.”
“How was yer bath?” Lilias asked, her tone conversational but her eyes sharp with interest. “I hope the water was hot enough. I asked them tae heat it well.”
“Aye, t’was perfect,” Rowena assured her as she brushed tendrils of wet hair away from her face. “After this day, I needed a proper like this. It felt like heaven.”
“I can imagine.” Lilias tucked her feet up under her, settling in as if she planned to stay for a while. “Ye’ve been traveling fer long?”
Rowena nodded, not wanting to elaborate on the circumstances that had brought her there. “Long enough.” Rowena had another bite. It was truly amazing.
If Lilias noticed her reluctance to discuss details, she didn’t press. “Are ye feeling better now? Ye seemed rather overwhelmed when ye arrived. I dinnae blame ye—Constantine can be rather intense when he wants tae be.”
“He is…” Rowena paused, searching for the right words. “… confusing.”
“That is one way tae put it.” Lilias’s smile was fond but tinged with something that might have been sadness. “He has only been at Duart fer a short while, ye ken. After Fergus died.”
Rowena felt a chill that had nothing to do with the room’s temperature. “Fergus?”
“‘Me braither,” Lilias confirmed, her voice softening. “He was leading a raid against the Camerons when they were ambushed. Faither was... devastated. Fergus was his heir, his pride and joy. When he died, Faither had nae choice but tae summon Constantine.”
“Constantine wasnae here before?” Rowena tried to keep her voice casual, but she was very curious.
“Nay.” Lilias’s expression grew thoughtful. “He was working as a mercenary, from what I understand. Faither never spoke of him much, but I gathered there had been some sort of... falling out. Constantine is faither’s son, but nae…” She hesitated, as if unsure how much to reveal.
“Nae legitimate,” Rowena finished gently.
“Nae.” Lilias’s voice was quiet. “Constantine grew up outside the castle, and when his maither died, he completely vanished.”
The pieces were beginning to fall into place, and Rowena felt a pang of sympathy for the man. To grow up being denied by your father, to be summoned home only because there was no other choice—it must have been a bitter pill to swallow.
“It must have been quite difficult," she said carefully. "Coming back after so long.”
“I think it was,” Lilias agreed. “He is nae... warm, exactly. But he is nae cruel either. He is just careful. Daesnae ken if he can trust anyone” She paused, then added with a slight smile, “though he seems tae trust ye well enough. He wouldnae have brought ye here otherwise.”
Rowena felt heat rise in her cheeks. “I’m nae certain trust is the right word. He helped me when I needed it, naethin’ more. I am grateful fer his protection, of course. But I willnae be staying long.”
“I see” Lilias tilted her head, studying her with those sharp, dark eyes. “And where will ye go?”
It was a fair question, and one Rowena had no good answer for. She had been so focused on escaping her uncle’s control that she hadn’t given much thought to what came next. She had no allies,no resources, and nowhere to go that would be safe from Alpin’s reach.
“I dinnae ken,” she admitted quietly.
“Well,” Lilias said, standing and smoothing her skirts, “perhaps ye dinnae need tae decide right away. Duart is a good place tae rest and recover. And I, fer one, would be happy tae have yer company.”
She moved toward the door, then paused and turned back. “I truly meant what I said earlier, Rowena. ‘Tis nice tae have another woman around. Someone closer tae me own age who can understand what it is like tae navigate a world full of men who think they ken what is best fer us.”
With that, she was gone, leaving Rowena alone with her thoughts and the lingering warmth of unexpected friendship.
