Page 10 of When a Highlander Vows (Enemies to Lovers #1)

10

T he next morning, Caitlin awoke and blinked open her eyes. The thick woolen covering over the bed was clear with its designs of battle and heroes woven in yellow and green over a red backdrop. She stared at it for a few seconds, always enjoying when things were clear to her eyes. She knew that in seconds, when she cast her eyes out of the bed and across the chamber, the blurry world she’d come to know would exist again.

Like this, she could pretend for just a little while longer that she had no disability. That she was just like everyone else and could do anything anyone else could do. Folding her fingers together over her stomach, she sat like that and just breathed. Staring at the design of the bed cover, she could forget about everything.

She could forget about Seamus’ death and the loss of her parents, the loss of her home, and now, the almost kiss with the laird just last night. It was a brief moment of peace, but it was broken sharply by a knock at the door.

“Good morrow, Miss,” Arla said as she bustled inside, hauling a bucket of water.

Caitlin couldn’t see her from behind the bed curtains, but she could hear the sloshing and the struggle as Arla heaved. She sat up as the sound of pouring water hit her ears, and she slipped from the bed, opening the curtains to her fuzzy world.

“Good morrow, Arla,” Caitlin said, giving the young girl a brief smile.

“And how’d ye sleep, Miss?” Arla stepped forward, and Caitlin could see her face more clearly than she had last night.

She was young with bright red hair and a smattering of freckles. It seemed a smile was permanently fixed on her face. Having her as a maid would be no trouble.

Arla wiped a hand over her brow and put her hands on her slim hips. “I have poured water for ye to wash yer face this morn, and I will lay out a gown for ye to help ye dress.”

“Thank ye, Arla. Ye are too kind.” Rachel had helped Caitlin to dress, and right then, she missed her old friend and companion dearly. “Are ye certain ye have the time? I ken I am a new guest here.”

“Och, of course! The Laird’s Nan herself assigned me to ye, said that I must focus only on ye and whatever ye need. That ye are to be as comfortable as one of the family.”

With another smile, Arla moved away to the wooden wardrobe where she’d unpacked Caitlin’s things last night. There were not many dresses to Caitlin’s name, but she’d brought her best ones, and she would have to collect the others later.

“There is a dressmaker in the closest village, Miss. I am sure the Laird’s Nan would take ye there to get a few new gowns if ye like. These are nae enough if ye are to stay as long as I’ve been told.”

“Thank ye, Arla. I will think on that,” Caitlin said, walking to the pewter bowl on her dark oak dressing table and dipping her hands into it.

The water was ice cold, and she shivered as she splashed it onto her face. But it was refreshing, and it helped to keep the sadness from her eyes. She dried her face on the strip of wool laid next to the bowl, and then Arla helped her dress, telling her all about goings on in the castle and clan. Caitlin was grateful for the incessant chatter, as it quieted the harsh words of her mind, reminding her of her new fate.

“Then, he told me he saw the pair of them kissin’ outside the hay barn only last night.”

Caitlin hadn’t been listening too intently to Arla’s stories, but at the mention of kissing and the words ‘last night’, she jolted to attention.

“Who was kissin’, Arla?” she asked, suddenly worried that she and the laird had been seen.

“Och, just the stable hand and one of the maids from the Castle. He’s been eyein’ her for about two months now, but he’s nae one so pretty to look at. Nae like the Laird, mind ye.” Arla giggled, putting one hand over her mouth while Caitlin exhaled with relief.

“All the lasses from here to as far as MacGregor Clan wish he would choose a wife,” Arla said. “He’s strong, with a face like iron, skilled with a sword, and skilled with other things so I hear.” Arla giggled again, and Caitlin blushed at the insinuation.

She was reminded of Rachel discussing the ‘tool’ used in lovemaking, and she thought about how she’d felt a hardness against her body as she and the laird had stood so close. A hardness far lower than his muscled chest.

“Och, ye must think me vulgar, Miss.” Arla kept laughing, however. “I shouldnae be sayin’ such things, but I wanted ye to ken all that goes on here at the Castle, so that ye feel right at home. One must ken all the gossip of a place afore one can feel truly comfortable.”

Arla stepped in front of Caitlin just after she finished pinning her into her woolen bodice. “What do ye think, Miss? Is he nae a handsome man?”

With eyes like shards of midnight.

“Aye. But it is nae me place to say, Arla. I am just a guest, and he is helpin’ me.”

Arla stood beside her, and they both faced the looking glass. Caitlin was close enough to see her reflection clearly.

“Come now. Ye are a special guest. He is here to protect and help ye. Give ye shelter. I say ye are free to think of his good looks whenever ye like.” Arla’s grin widened. “He has likely thought of how bonnie ye are as well.”

“Och, Arla.” Caitlin’s embarrassment grew to such a degree that her cheeks burned, and she put her hands on them, hoping to cool them down. “Ye mustnae say such things.”

Arla laughed good naturedly. “Forgive me, Miss. Come, let me plait yer hair, and then ye will be ready for the day and to approach the breakfast table. Such lovely locks, Miss.” Arla braided her hair and pinned it up at the base of her neck.

Caitlin had to admit that Rachel had never done such a skillful job. “Thank ye. Ye have done well.”

Beaming, Arla nodded and said, “Ye are ready for breakfast, Miss. Enjoy yerself.” She winked at Caitlin before picking up the bucket and leaving the chamber.

After a few calming breaths, she smoothed her hands over her gown and walked out of the door, shutting it quietly behind her. But a small meow at her feet made her look down.

“Och, ye darlin’ thing,” Caitlin said, bending down to pick up the sweet ginger cat which looked eager to be held.

The cat started purring as soon as she gripped it to her. She started walking when a deep voice from behind her said, “That cat will kill ye as soon as look at ye. To strangers, at least.”

She turned around to see Lucas coming down the passage toward her. All equilibrium she’d tried to gather in her chamber before exiting left her in one sudden whoosh.

Lucas had hoped to be down to breakfast and had eaten before Caitlin took her own meal, but he’d slept in after a late night of brooding and looking through maps to discover who the mysterious men might be. And clearly, fate was against him, or rather his grandmother was at it again, for he was walking down the passageway from his chamber just as Caitlin was exiting hers.

Just me luck, he thought to himself and watched as Percy, having sauntered from his chamber some time ago, decided that Caitlin’s skirts were the place to rub against.

Traitor.

He watched as she leaned down and picked the fussy cat up with ease, when Percy never really enjoyed anyone besides him and his Nan. But clearly, the cat was under her spell as well. The smile on her face as she held the cat set his heart to fluttering again. He put a hand on his chest and rubbed at the spot, willing it to stop.

His mood still sour after what happened last evening, he said in a low voice, “That cat will kill ye as soon as he looks at ye. To strangers, at least.”

Caitlin looked shocked as she turned around, Percy still in her arms, rubbing happily against her neck.

After her look of surprise vanished, she said, “It seems he is fine with strangers.”

Lucas glowered, and he stood at a distance from her, glad she couldn’t see the angry expression on his face.

“Aye, well, it seems ye have a way with them then.”

“I have always wanted a pet, but Seamus was afraid that it would be too difficult for me.” She sighed. “What is this one’s name?”

“Percy. A right fussy bastard.”

At that description, Percy meowed at him, but it turned into a purr as he resumed rubbing his face against Caitlin’s.

“I’d hardly call him that, Me Laird. Dae ye have any other animals in the Castle?”

“Aye. Fallows is around here somewhere. A dog. He usually stays below to catch any scraps from the kitchens. But Percy likes to come and sleep with me.”

Caitlin smiled brightly at him, and he cleared his throat and looked away, reminded of his weakness the night before. When that mouth had nearly drawn him in and tempted him to make a terrible mistake.

“What a sweet thing.” She laughed and gave Percy a soft kiss on the head.

Lucas shifted on his feet, annoyed at himself.

Why in God’s name are ye jealous of a cat, ye dobber?

She dropped Percy to the floor and looking a bit shy, she said, “Will ye help me down to breakfast, Me Laird? I daenae wish to make a fool of meself on the stairs, ye see. I am sorry to trouble ye.”

“Nae, nae at all,” he said stiffly, and then took her arm, leading them toward the stairs.

This time, he kept a distance from her, but he could still faintly smell the sweet scent of rosewater which clung to her. Even though he’d had a full night of sleep, the scent still picked at him and made him imagine himself burying himself in her lovely locks of golden hair, breathing it in until he’d had his fill.

I’m nae sure I would ever have me fill.

“Ye might as well—” he began at the same time she said,

“How do ye—”

“Sorry. Go ahead,” she said as they slowly descended the stairs, his hand still holding lightly to her arm.

“I only meant to say that ye might as well call me by me Christian name. Lucas, as I told ye at yer house. We are bound together ye and I in a sort of way, and ye will be here for a long while. I think it would be best if we dinnae bother with titles.”

“Thank ye. Lucas,” she said slowly, as if the name was an unfamiliar one.

“Aye.” He didn’t look at her as they finally reached the bottom of the stairs.

He was not well versed in speaking to people in general, and in that moment, no other words came to his mind.

“I was going to ask how do ye keep yer days?” Caitlin asked, reminding him that she had spoken as well before they’d both cut one another off. “Are ye often at the Castle, or dae ye travel?”

She is likely tryin’ to discern how often she will have to see me.

“I dislike travel greatly. I prefer to stay close to home if I can. But there are times when I must go to see how the other villages on clan lands are farin’. There are taxes to be received, and farmers to speak with. Each village has a leader who is under me. And there is also the English, of course. Soldiers all around, and I need to make sure me people are safe from their greedy clutches. We almost narrowly escaped their bloody control.”

His voice was low and gruff as he was reminded of the defeat at Dunbar by Cromwell. His people would still be tied to England for the time being. But Caitlin’s light voice stole him away from thoughts of battle and blood.

“Of course.” Caitlin nodded. “It must be very busy for a laird with such a large land holding. I hear the McDougall lands are one of the largest in the Highlands, although I have never been outside of them. I have never left me village home.”

They’d reached the main hall, and he could see his grandmother already sitting down to breakfast.

“Aye, Lass, ye are correct. But daenae worry. There is nae much more to see beyond these borders. Dangers lie everywhere, as we have already seen.” He whispered the last line before he helped Caitlin into her seat.

Last night he’d marked the place on the map where those strange men had appeared, and he’d spent a long time thinking about old grievances among the clans to try to come up with an answer. But nothing much came to mind. It was another reason why he’d awoken irritated that morning.

“Good morrow to ye both,” Nan said, smiling as he came to sit next to her. “It is nice to have breakfast with ye, Lucas. Ye daenae often sleep so late.”

“Well, it is nae often that me grandmaither keeps me up late after I travel,” he said, throwing her an angry look, but it only made her laugh.

“I had a wonderful idea, Lucas. I think ye should curtail any plans ye have for the day, and ye should make sure that Caitlin is all settled in. I suggest a ride of the land surrounding the Castle. What dae ye think?”

It took everything in Lucas not to put his head in his hands and groan.