Page 14 of When a Highlander Vows (Enemies to Lovers #1)

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A fter she heard Lucas’ words to Archie in the hallway, Caitlin hadn’t moved. She remained pressed against the stone wall outside of the library. She’d come out just after they’d walked past, and she’d heard Lucas.

“Forced to ferry the new lass about.”

The comment stung more than it should have. It was not only insulting to her, the ‘new’ used to describe her quite accurately. She was new there. But the fact that he spoke of it like an onerous duty made her all the angrier. She didn’t want him to do it. It was not her fault that he was taking her about.

It is his fault I am even here!

She stayed against the wall for a few minutes after the men went inside his study and shut the door. Closing her eyes, she wished herself away to anywhere else but there. To be forced into a strange home was one thing, but to also feel as though she was a burden on those she was forced to be with was another.

She waited long enough against the wall to see Archie leave, and a little later, a servant and Paige entered. Paige looked smug and smiling, and Caitlin was reminded of how pretty the lass was. Even a little blurry, the woman was striking. Suddenly, an odd feeling like jealousy tugged at her belly.

Could the Laird and Paige —

Stepping out from her hiding place, she watched the door for a few seconds. The servant popped out, and she stepped back again, and he nodded to her on his way. But Paige remained. Alone. With the door shut.

Perhaps that was the real reason he pulled away from the kiss , she pondered. He has another lover.

It was completely understandable that he should be with Paige, the young and bonnie healer in the castle. But then why should he kiss her like a man hungry with unslaked desire?

She turned away, her eyes smarting, reminding herself that he was a skilled man whom no doubt had been with many women already in his time. He certainly knew how to kiss to make a lady’s knees go weak until she was clasping hold of him just to stay steady. He also knew how to look at a woman so that her insides turned molten, and her body yearned toward him. He was quite adept at all those things. Only she was the fool for putting a bit of her heart into it, thinking she might have been special.

“Caitlin!” a cheery voice called, and she looked up from her feet to see a woman walking toward her along the passage. From the voice, she assumed it was Sarah. “How are ye farin’ this fine day?”

When Sarah stood right in front of her, Caitlin smiled. Sarah was wearing a serviceable work outfit of thick wool, and she was carrying a basket as she approached Caitlin. It hung on the crook of her arm pushed aside by her pregnant belly.

“I am bringing the wood around to the fireplaces. Archie does nae approve, but I refuse to be put into a room with me feet up for the next little while. I will die of boredom.” Sarah chuckled, her whole face lighting up.

“I am very well, thank ye. I have just been by the sea today, and I was lookin’ into the library, but I was interrupted on me way out.”

“Och, I see. Well, let me finish with this, and then ye, me, and Colin can take a wander in the healin’ garden. If ye’re nae busy.”

Laughing, Caitlin shook her head. “I am in a home nae me own. What could busy me here?”

Sarah’s eyes trailed to the study door, and then she said, “Plenty,” with a wicked look on her face.

Caitlin flushed instantly, worried that somehow someone had seen her and Lucas kissing out by the sea.

It was too far, surely, for anyone to have seen us. Nae that I would exactly ken.

With a stammer, she said, “I daenae ken what ye mean.”

“Och, aye. Of course.” Sarah winked, and then looked at the door again, seeing Paige emerge.

Caitlin turned to see the young woman, and they all greeted each other. But Paige’s tone was flat and unhappy. Even her footsteps had a mood as she stalked away.

Whispering, Sarah said, “Paige has always had a soft spot for the Laird, ever since she came here a few years back. Hopes he might make her an offer. He’s never shown an interest, however, and he keeps away from her most times. But it seems she will nae give up.” Sarah chuckled. “Come now. Walk with me. We can talk everythin’ over.”

A few hours later, pleasantly tired from her day, Caitlin came to dinner. Lottie was on her own, and when Caitlin entered the hall, her face broke into a wide smile.

“Me dear! We dinnae get a chance to take tea. When ye returned, I was restin’. Forgive me. Some days I must rest, or I will nae make it until dinner!” Lottie sighed and squeezed Caitlin’s hand.

“Ye are nae ill, I hope?” Caitlin asked, a little worried that the kind woman would soon be gone, and Caitlin would be left on her own.

“Och, nay. ‘Tis just old age. And sometimes, the concoctions I must take for me joints make me a bit tired.”

“Paige makes them for ye?” Caitlin asked, sliding into a chair.

“Aye. She is very skilled in mixing the right teas and poultices. Her garden is a healin’ garden, indeed. I have gained much from the plants growin’ there.”

“I am glad for ye.” A servant came to pour the wine, and Lottie looked out the door.

“I have gone to look for me grandson, but I dinnae find him in his chamber.”

The servant cleared her throat. “Forgive me, Lady, but the Laird has requested to take his meal in his study this eve.”

“Does he now?” Lottie said, lifting a brow and tapping a fingertip on the table. “Very well. I am too hungry to go and argue with him. Ye may bring the food.”

“Aye, Lady. But I am also meant to tell ye of his plans to travel tomorrow. To deal with the skirmishes on the border. He will be gone for some days.”

“Och, that lad,” she said, shaking her head. “Ye may tell him I am nae pleased with him.”

The young servant girl curtsied and left, and food was brought in and laid on the table.

Caitlin, grateful that Lucas would not be joining them, asked, “What skirmishes are these?”

“I daenae ken, but they’ve been happenin’ off and on of late. Miles away, but nae sure between who. Usually, it is people of nay consequence, fightin’ over a land border for their farms, but it is the Laird’s duty to find out who is fightin’ and why. But still, I thought he could still be a proper host and sit with us for dinner. Especially if he is going to be gone for some days.”

“It is nay matter, Lottie. We can entertain ourselves.” She gave Lottie a bright smile, feeling lighter that not only would Lucas not see her that night, but that he would also be gone for a few days.

In that time, she would be able to find her equilibrium again, and they would be able to live as indifferent acquaintances. He clearly did not want to resume that kiss, and she…well, it didn’t matter what she wanted. She was not going to force a man to make love to her. Nor was she going to delude herself into thinking he could care for her one day as a man cares for a woman.

Ye barely ken the man! And yet ye are lettin’ yer imagination run away with ye!

“Ye are right there, Lass. We women daenae need the men to have a bit of fun!” She raised her cup of wine in the air, and Caitlin did the same. “I should like to drink to ye and to yer arrival, and to yer dear brother, who was always kind to me grandson.”

“Thank ye, Lottie. Ye have made me feel most welcome.” They drank together and spoke of what they might do over the next few days, but then the dreaded question came.

Lottie was cutting into her food when she asked it, and Caitlin noticed that she did not look up as she did.

The sign that she is worried about me response.

“Did ye enjoy yer tour of the grounds today? Did ye go to the sea?”

“Aye,” Caitlin said cheerfully, hoping to sound very natural and not at all shaken at what had transpired at said sea. “It was a wondrous thing. I have never seen anythin’ like it. We dinnae swim, however.”

“Well, that will have to be a lesson for another time.”

“It is a comfort to be here, Lottie. I realized that today.” Caitlin was being honest, but she wanted to steer the conversation away from anything to do with Lucas or to do with Lucas assisting her again. “The sea has taken me brother, and now I live close by. I can visit him whenever I want. It is like he is buried just outside.”

Lottie’s face softened, and Caitlin could see the kind grandmother that any child would wish to have. It made her miss her family even more. Lottie reached across the table to touch Caitlin’s hand.

“I am happy for that, Lass. It is a terrible loss to lose a loved one. But when ye have a place to go, where ye can be with them quietly, then that is some comfort. I am also glad that ye are comin’ around to the idea of bein’ here. Me grandson was a good host then, was he? A good guide to the lands around here?”

He was certainly an eager guide in some ways.

“Aye. He was helpful and kind.” She could feel a warmth heating her cheeks, and she bit down on her tongue, praying it would go away.

“Hmm…that doesnae sound like him, but I am glad. When he returns, he will have to show ye the rest of the Castle.”

“Please, Lottie. Daenae trouble him. I daenae think he wishes to be forced into assistin’ me in any way. I daenae wish to be a burden.”

Lottie’s expression darkened. “He dinnae say that to ye, did he?”

“Nay! Of course nae. It is only something I have sensed. I ken he is a laird and busy. Perhaps it is good he goes away. So that he can tend to his business and nae to me.”

“Well, I daenae like it, but I suppose I cannae stop the Laird from doin’ his work. He is beholden to the Clan, after all, and far be it from me to stop him. But when he returns, aye, he shall get an earful from me.”