Page 24 of Trapped by the Wicked Highlander (Lairds of the Loch Alliance #2)
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
C assandra left Hunter’s office with hurried steps, her heart pounding against her ribs. She fought to keep her emotions in check, but her vision blurred with unshed tears. The weight of their final conversation sat heavy on her chest, suffocating her. As she walked down the dimly lit corridor, she nearly collided with Jessica, who stopped short and looked at her with concern.
“What’s wrong, lass?” Jessica asked, tilting her head.
Cassandra shook her head, her voice tight. “I just want to be alone.”
Jessica studied her for a moment, then nodded. “I understand, but I’ll walk with ye to yer room. Ye seem unwell.”
Cassandra didn’t argue, too weary to protest. They walked in silence, Jessica keeping close beside her. The sound of their footsteps echoed through the stone halls, the quiet making Cassandra’s heart ache even more.
When they reached Cassandra’s room, Jessica turned to her. “Do ye want me to fetch ye a wee nip of whiskey? Might help calm yer nerves.”
Cassandra hesitated, then sighed. “Aye. That sounds good.”
Jessica nodded and disappeared for a moment, returning with a small flask. She poured a measure into a wooden cup and handed it to Cassandra. Then she sat beside her, waiting patiently.
Cassandra took a slow sip, the burn of the whiskey settling deep in her chest. For a long moment, she said nothing, simply staring at the cup in her hands. Finally, she spoke.
“Richard is well now. It’s time for me to go back to McAllister Castle.”
Jessica exhaled, nodding. “Now I understand.”
Cassandra forced a small, hollow smile. “It’s what I came here to do, after all. The McDougal clan doesnae need me anymore.”
Jessica studied her carefully. “And what about what ye need, Cassandra? Are ye sure this is what ye want?”
Cassandra swallowed hard, looking away. “What I want doesnae matter. What matters is what’s right.”
Jessica sighed, leaning back against the chair. “Ye sound just like Hunter.”
Cassandra’s head snapped up, eyes narrowing slightly. “What do ye mean by that?”
Jessica shrugged. “I mean he pushes away what he wants, too. Always carryin’ the weight of duty, always thinkin’ he must do what’s right instead of followin’ his heart. Thinks he's cursed and that if he loves, those he loves will fall into danger.”
Cassandra clenched her hands around the cup. “Then perhaps we’re more alike than I realized. But it doesnae change anything.”
Jessica gave her a long, knowing look. “So ye’re just goin’ to leave? Just like that?”
Cassandra inhaled sharply. “Aye. What else is there for me to do?”
Jessica hesitated before speaking again. “Hunter cares for ye, ye ken. Even if he’s too stubborn to say it.”
Cassandra let out a bitter laugh. “Carin’ for someone isnae enough. Nae when his past keeps pullin’ him back. Nae when Margaret is here. She's the maither of Elena. It is right that I go, to give their family a true chance."
Jessica pursed her lips. “Aye, she’s still here, but that doesnae mean ye must leave.”
Cassandra shook her head. “I cannae stay, Jessica. Every time I look at him, I see what I cannae have. And it hurts.”
Jessica reached over, squeezing her hand. “Then let me at least say this—ye deserve happiness, Cassandra. If ye ever find a reason to come back, like say to visit me than do it for yerself. Ye have friends here that would want to see ye again, like meself. Dinnae stay away simply because ye think ye must stay away.”
Cassandra’s throat tightened, and she nodded. “Thank ye, Jessica. That means more than ye ken.”
Jessica gave her a sad smile. “Then let me pour ye another drink. Seems like we both need it.”
Cassandra let out a small, shaky laugh as Jessica refilled her cup. For now, she would drink, she would sit in the company of a friend, and she would gather the strength to leave. Even if it broke her heart.
The next morning, Cassandra found Daniel and Jessica standing near the courtyard, speaking in hushed tones. Daniel turned when he saw her approaching, his expression unreadable. He held up a small leather coin purse, the weight of it clear in his palm. “Hunter’s put me in charge of seein’ ye home safely,” he said, his voice steady.
Cassandra nodded, her throat tight. “Thank ye, Daniel.” She glanced at the coin purse and swallowed hard. “That's all Hunter gave ye to give to me? Payment?"
"Aye, lass. That is all," Daniel said.
Cassandra gulped down the sob that threatened to come out. "Me bag is ready, but I need to find Elena before I go to say goodbye.”
Jessica frowned slightly. “Ye’ve grown quite fond of the wee lass, haven’t ye?”
Cassandra exhaled, trying to keep her voice steady. “Aye, I have.” Her voice cracked on the words, and she clenched her jaw. “I cannae leave without sayin’ goodbye.”
Daniel nodded in understanding. “Go on, then. I'll fetch yer things. We’ll be waitin’ for ye by the stables.”
Cassandra turned and made her way toward the nursery, her heart growing heavier with every step. When she reached the door, she paused, listening to the soft sound of a child’s laughter.
Pushing it open, she found Elena sitting on the floor, giggling as she played with Leonora, the large hound dog. The sight of them together brought a bittersweet ache to her chest.
Elena’s face lit up the moment she saw Cassandra. “Cassandra!” She scrambled to her feet and ran toward her, throwing her arms around her waist. “I’m so glad to see ye!”
Cassandra knelt, wrapping her arms tightly around the child. “And I’m glad to see ye too, wee one.” She smoothed Elena’s hair back, trying to memorize every detail of her sweet face. “But I came to tell ye that it’s time for me to return home to McAllister Castle.”
Elena pulled back, her face falling into a deep pout. “I daenae like that,” she said stubbornly, crossing her arms. “I want ye to stay!”
Cassandra forced a small smile, though her heart ached. “I wish I could, love. But there are people at McAllister who need me healin’ as well.”
Elena’s lip trembled, and she clung to Cassandra’s arm. “Will ye come back?”
Cassandra hesitated, stroking the child’s cheek. “I daenae ken, lass.” The words were painful to say, but she would not lie. “But I’ll always remember ye.”
Elena sniffled but nodded, throwing her arms around Cassandra once more. Cassandra held her tightly, pressing a kiss to her temple. Then, with great effort, she pulled away and stood, forcing herself to step back.
Leonora whined as Cassandra turned toward the door. She hesitated for only a moment before leaving the nursery, her heart breaking with every step she took.
Cassandra walked the dimly lit corridor when a sharp smack and a yelp broke through the quiet. She froze, her body tensing at the sound of distress. Without a second thought, she ran toward the noise, her footsteps echoing off the stone walls. Rounding the corner, her heart dropped when she saw Margaret standing over Heather, the young servant girl kneeling on the floor, her cheek reddened.
Margaret’s hand was still raised in the air, as if she were ready to strike again, but Cassandra's presence made her freeze. The tension in the air was thick as Cassandra’s eyes narrowed with barely contained fury.
“What seems to be the problem that would warrant hittin' the girl?” Cassandra asked, her voice low but filled with cold authority. Her fists clenched at her sides as she stepped forward, not backing down.
Margaret straightened, a sneer crossing her face as she turned her eyes toward Cassandra. “Mind yer business, healer,” she spat, her tone dismissive. “Ye’ve nay place interferin’ with what happens between me and the staff.” The venom in her voice was unmistakable, but Cassandra didn’t flinch, her anger rising further.
“I beg to differ,” Cassandra retorted, her gaze unwavering. “It is me business, as the Laird himself sent me to fetch Heather to help with me departure. We cannae defy the Laird’s orders, now can we?” Her words were sharp, as she made it clear that she would not stand idly by while someone, especially Margaret, mistreated one of the castle’s people.
Margaret’s face flushed with rage, her nostrils flaring as she gritted her teeth. Then she smiled a brilliant smile.
"Departure did ye say? Oh, then by all means take the girl to help ye and good riddance!" Without another word, she stomped off, her heels echoing down the corridor.
Cassandra stood still for a moment, her heart pounding, as the sound of Margaret’s retreating footsteps faded into the distance. The calm returned to the hallway, but the anger inside Cassandra still simmered.
Cassandra knelt beside Heather, who was slowly rising to her feet, her face pale and shaken. The young girl winced as she touched her cheek, but she quickly tried to hide the pain, forcing a faint smile at Cassandra.
“Ye shouldnae have interfered,” Heather whispered, her voice trembling.
Cassandra shook her head, her expression softening. “Nay one should ever have to endure that, Heather. Nae under any circumstance.” She offered her hand, helping the girl up, her touch gentle yet firm. “Come on now, let’s get ye to the courtyard where ye’ll be safe."
Together, they made their way down the corridor, Cassandra keeping a protective arm around Heather. As they stepped into the bright light of the courtyard, Cassandra scanned the area, her eyes landing on Jessica.
Jessica noticed them approaching, her expression filled with concern. “What happened?” she asked, her voice low but urgent as she stepped forward.
Cassandra glanced over her shoulder, making sure Margaret was nowhere in sight before answering. “Margaret. She struck Heather. The poor girl dinnae deserve it.” Her voice was laced with frustration as she guided Heather toward Jessica.
Jessica’s eyes widened in disbelief, and she placed a reassuring hand on Heather’s shoulder. “The nerve of her,” she muttered under her breath. “Come, sit here, lass. Ye’re safe now.”
Cassandra watched as Jessica led Heather to a bench, her protective instincts kicking in.
"We're ready," Daniel said as he and the guards approached with a horse for Cassandra.
Cassandra mounted her horse with practiced ease, her eyes scanning the castle one last time. The group of guards, led by Daniel, were already mounted and ready to depart.
As they rode out of the grounds, the castle loomed behind them. She gave a final wave to Jessica and Heather, watching them grow smaller as they stood by the gate, their faces a mixture of sadness and well-wishes.
As the procession moved down the long, winding path away from McDougal Castle, Cassandra couldn’t help but glance back once more.
High up in a window, Hunter looked down. Cassandra nearly choked on the gasp of air she inhaled. Then, he was gone.
A tightness gripped her chest, and she pushed the feeling aside, unwilling to dwell on it. Yet, despite her resolve, she realized that a strange ache settled deep inside her—a homesickness she hadn’t anticipated.
It wasn’t McAllister Castle that she missed, nor the life she’d known there. Instead, it was the home she had just left—the people, the quiet moments she shared with Jessica, and even the very walls of McDougal Castle itself. The warmth of the hearth, the laughter of Elena, the comfort of knowing that she had found a place where she truly belonged—it all rushed back to her in an overwhelming wave.
Cassandra let out a soft sigh, the weight of her emotions almost too much to bear. She had come to love the castle, its people, and the life she had built there over the past weeks. Yet now, it felt like she was leaving behind something she could never replace. Her heart ached with the realization that this, too, was a part of her journey, one she would carry with her, no matter where the road led.