Page 34 of The Highlander's Runaway Nun
“Care for him? He frightens me with his temper, maddens me with his silence, and yet…aye, and yet when he draws close, it’s as though the ground falls away beneath me feet. What sense is there in such a thing?”
Cora reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Sense or nae, the heart follows its own path. Ye may try to deny it, but Iken well what I see in yer eyes. Ye are drawn to him, me Lady, though it troubles ye.”
“He acts as though he is naught but a monster. He told me once that he was born of monsters, that he couldnae love. How can I give me heart to a man who believes himself undeservin’ of it?”
Cora’s expression softened, and her voice carried a steadiness that reminded Laura of the sea at calm tide. “Because sometimes, it is the love given that teaches a man he is worthy of it. Ye may be the first soul ever to make him see light where he thought only darkness lay. He may nae ken it yet, but ye change him, bit by bit.”
Laura’s throat tightened, and she turned away, staring at the lavender swaying in the breeze. “If that were true, why does he flee when I offer him naught but me trust? I daenae understand him. I daenae ken if I have the strength to keep tryin’. It leaves me raw, as though me heart is being pulled in two.”
Cora rose and stood beside her, resting a hand on Laura’s shoulder. “Then give yerself grace, me Lady. Ye daenae need to ken all the answers now. Bradley has his demons, aye, but I believe he also has room in his heart for ye, more than he kens himself.”
Laura let out a weary sigh, the sound mingling with the fountain’s trickle. She wished she could believe Cora’s words without question, wished she could let her heart rest easy. Yet deep inside, the storm of longing and doubt raged still, and she could not tell which would win. For now, all she could do waswalk among the blossoms and pray that one day, clarity would find her.
Suddenly, a faint bark came from a creature, thin yet persistent, echoing from beyond the hedges. Laura stopped, tilting her head, her brow furrowed as she searched for the source. The bark came again, followed by a pitiful whine, and her heart stirred with curiosity and concern. Cora looked at her, puzzled, but Laura was already turning her steps toward the sound.
Dug into a burrow just under the wall, she found it, a small black puppy, its legs trembling. Its fur was matted with dust, though still it shone faintly like midnight silk when the light struck it. The wee beast’s ribs showed faintly through its skin, yet its eyes glowed bright and defiant, filled with a fire that refused to yield.
Laura’s breath caught, for something in that gaze struck her deeply; it was fierce, proud, and untamed, not unlike Bradley himself.
She crouched low, her skirts brushing the ground as she held out her hand.
“Och, ye poor thing,” she whispered, her voice soft with awe.
The puppy’s ears perked, and though its tail wagged weakly, its stance remained bold, as though it dared her to come closer. Laura laughed gently, charmed beyond reason, and reached to scoop it into her arms. At once, it nestled against her chest, letting out a weary sigh, though its fiery eyes never dulled.
Cora shifted anxiously from foot to foot, her brow creased with worry. “Me lady, are ye certain? The Laird may nae take kindly to ye bringing strays into the castle.”
Laura hugged the small creature closer, her decision swift and sure. “Then I shall ask him meself, Cora. He cannae deny me this when the poor beast needs a home, and I…I feel as though it belongs with me.”
As they made their way back through the garden, the puppy nestled quietly in her arms, though its bright eyes darted about with sharp awareness. Servants bustled nearby, carrying baskets of vegetables or folded cloths, but the moment their gazes landed on the pup, their movements faltered.
Laura caught whispers, sharp and hurried, as heads bent together and voices dropped. Shock, even fear, seemed to ripple through them at the sight of the small animal in her arms.
She blinked in confusion, glancing down at the harmless bundle. “What is this?” she murmured, half to herself. “It’s naught but a pup.”
The dog gave a soft bark, lifting its head proudly, as if echoing her words.
Cora kept close, her voice hushed but urgent. “Me lady, they seem frightened. I daenae ken why, but there are old tales among the servants, tales I never paid heed. Perhaps they see more than we do.”
Laura pressed her lips into a firm line, her arms tightening protectively around the creature. “It’s a puppy, Cora. Small, hungry, and in need. I’ll nae be cowed by foolish tales.” Still, unease prickled at her as more mutterings followed her steps through the stone corridors of the castle.
By the time she reached the solar, the pup was asleep against her, its tiny body warm and fragile. Laura paused at the heavy oak door, her heart quickening, not from fear of Bradley, but from the anticipation of his reaction. She lifted her chin, pushed the door open, and entered.
Bradley stood at the far side of the room, bent over a table strewn with maps and parchment. The sunlight from the tall windows carved lines of gold along his broad shoulders, his figure as imposing as ever. He glanced up at once, his dark eyes narrowing with suspicion as he saw her. Then his gaze dropped to the bundle in her arms, and a stillness fell over him like a gathering storm.
Laura swallowed, but her voice came steady as she stepped closer. “Bradley, I found him in the gardens. A pup, black as the midnight sky, with eyes that burn like fire. He is weak, aye, but he is strong of spirit, and I’ve decided I shall keep him.”
Bradley’s expression did not soften; instead, it hardened further, his jaw clenched tight. His gaze fixed upon the puppy as though it were no mere beast but something far darker.
Silence hung between them, heavy as stone, and Laura’s arms tightened once more around the sleeping dog.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“Nay,” he said, his voice sharp and final. “Ye’ll nae keep that beast.”
Her pride bristled at being dismissed so swiftly.
Bradley stepped closer, his gaze locked on the bundle in her arms.
