Page 44 of Claimed By a Ruthless Scot
“As he should be.”
There was no hesitation in her voice. Catriona watched her thoughtfully. For a moment she said nothing, then she tilted her head slightly.
“That is true,” she agreed slowly.
Her gaze drifted toward the door, her expression turning briefly thoughtful.
Then her eyes returned to Elaina. “But…”
The word hung lightly in the air. Elaina glanced up.
“But?” she asked.
Catriona studied her with open curiosity now, though there was nothing unkind in it.
“But I see that he is different with ye.”
Elaina stilled. The cloth paused halfway through wiping her hands. Catriona leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the table.
“Has something happened?”
Elaina hesitated. It was not a question she had expected. And it was not an easy one to answer. Her thoughts flickered briefly back to the loch that morning, to the cold water, to Duncan’s laughter and the way his gaze had followed her as she had swum away.
Her heart gave a small, traitorous flutter at the memory. She forced it down immediately. It would not do to dwell on such things. Elaina turned her attention back to the herbs before her, carefully separating the leaves with deliberate focus.
Beside her, Catriona had grown quieter. When Elaina glanced up again, she found the younger woman watching her with a thoughtful expression that had lost some of its earlier playfulness.
“Ye ken,” Catriona said after a moment, tapping lightly at the edge of the open book, “me braither has always kept people at a distance.”
Elaina looked at her curiously. Catriona shrugged slightly, though there was a hint of fondness in her smile.
“He has responsibilities,” she continued. “The clan, the land, the castle… it has always been easier fer him tae carry those things if he daesnae let too many people get too close.”
Elaina considered that quietly. It did not surprise her. Duncan Grant had the bearing of a man accustomed to standing alone.
“That must be lonely,” she said softly.
Catriona’s smile turned a little wistful. “I think it is sometimes.”
She rested her chin briefly on her hand before straightening again. “But that is why I am glad ye are here.”
Elaina blinked in surprise. “Me?”
“Aye.”
Catriona gestured toward the table between them, toward the scattered herbs and open books.
“Ye ken how tae speak tae everyone so they feel good in yer company,” Catriona explained. “Fer instance, ye speak tae me as if I am simply another woman in the castle, and nae the laird’s sister.”
Elaina frowned faintly. “Should I speak tae ye differently?”
“Most people dae.”
“How?”
“With caution,” Catriona replied. “Or politeness that feels…careful.”
Elaina shook her head slightly. “That sounds exhausting.”
