Page 66 of The Best of Madeline Grant

Over the years, the running had stopped, but the screaming had not.

At nearly four decades, Maeve still screamed at least once a fortnight. Screamed and struggled with an invisible monster, swinging her fists to stop her tormentor.

But her parents were never there to console her anymore. Now Kyla came to awaken her from her nightmare.

She’d never be able to marry anyone or move away from Kyla.

If no one awakened her, she’d surely die of fright.

At the scuff of footsteps through fallen leaves, she glanced over her shoulder. Maitland was coming her way, and she had to admit that a sweet tingle began in her belly. Directly at her—to see her! Or so she hoped. Changing her position to make sure she sat like a lady, she waved to him, and he broke out in a wide smile, returning her wave. “’Tis a lovely day, my lady. Would ye like to go for a stroll with me?”

Nodding, she stood as soon as he was near, smoothing the fine wrinkles in her skirt, wishing she’d been more careful to keep it tidy, but she could not worry about it now.

Maitland, the man who was stealing her heart, stood in front of her. “I asked Jamie if he minded if we kept company together. He actually pushed me in yer direction.”

She giggled at that. “I doubt he pushed you, but I do believe he wishes I’d find someone.” She blushed at the implication of her statement. “Forgive me. I did not mean to imply…”

He held his hand up. “Dinnae worry. I dinnae take any meaning from yer statement. Tell me, which season do ye like the best? Autumn?” He took her hand, and they headed down the path that would take them away from the curtain wall. Not far away, a few mounted guards were headed out on their daily patrol to make sure Grant land was free of reivers and marauders.

And English these days.

“I prefer Yuletide. We used to decorate the hall with greenery, and we loved the feasting and the gifts. Loki comes every year with packages and presents, which the wee ones love. Which season is your favorite?”

“Springtime. New beginnings. Fresh buds on the trees. The promise of warmth coming soon.” He peered at her. “Ye looked quite pensive on the boulder. Something ye’d like to share? Sometimes talking about something helps ye find yer way out of the murkiness.”

“It is quite murky. I do not recall the earliest pieces of my life, and I wish I did. I am forever searching for the cause of my nightmares, but I’ve never unearthed even the smallestclue. Now, I’ve had something similar in the light of day, and it frightens me. If I could recall what happened, would I be worse off or better? Would the nightmares worsen or improve?”

They heard the sound of approaching horse hooves, so they both looked to see who was approaching the castle. Maitland stepped closer to Maeve and released her hand so he could set his at the small of her back, a small intimacy she liked. It did indeed make her feel safer with the approach of unknown riders.

“Henry, what is it?” Maitland called as the rider drew near, another guard coming behind him.

Maeve took it as a good sign that he knew the other man. Or was it?

“My lord, yer mother has taken ill. Yer sire asks for yer return.”

“She is alive? Was she hurt or is it the fever?”

“She is alive, taken to her bed. A fever of unknown origin. Yer father asks for yer return immediately. We are to escort ye home.”

“I will be ready in less than half the hour. Ye may go inside for a quick repast while I gather my belongings.”

Maitland turned to her, and she could see the worry in his eyes. The man had lost his wife, so he knew grief well.

She reached up to pat his arm. “I’m so sorry, Maitland. I pray you find her healing.”

“I apologize for cutting this short, but I must go and go quickly. If ye’d like, ye are welcome to ride with me.”

Maeve started at the thought of joining him on his journey, and her instincts took over. “Oh, nay. Please do not be offended, but nay.”

He frowned, and she nearly relented because she knew she’d caused that expression. She had to make him understand. “Maitland, I’ve never left Grant land.”

The confusion in his gaze was clear. “Ye mentioned this before, but I thought ye meant ye’d never lived away from Grant land.”

She shook her head enough to hide her embarrassment. “Nay. I’ve never left. Once I was brought here, I liked it so much that I swore I’d never leave. I believe I visited Ramsay land when I was verra young, but I have no memory of it. I refused to leave after I turned six summers.”

There went her chance of building a family with Maitland. She could see it in his eyes, but he recovered quickly.

“Well, I look forward to our next meeting.” He kissed her cheek and ushered her back to the curtain wall, their conversation ended.