Page 11 of The Beast

When the sound happened again, Duncan stood and walked to the front of the room. Peering out the window, he caught sight of a horse that had been tethered. The animal’s tail swished side to side, as it nibbled on grass.

It was Ella’s horse. Why would his sister ride out alone to see him?

Hurrying to the front door, he yanked it opened prepared to scold his sister. However, the pair of wide blue eyes peering up at him did not belong to his sister.

Beatrice Macdonald gave him a worried look and took a step back. “I need to speak to ye. It is very important.”

For a long moment, he wasn’t sure what to do. Invite her in or send her on her way. Of course, if he sent her away, he’d have to accompany her.

“Who escorted ye here?”

She shook her head. “No one, I came alone. It is a direct route. It was quite easy to find this home.”

“It is not safe for ye to be out unescorted. Why did ye not bring a guard with ye?”

Leaning to the side, she peered around him. “May I come inside?”

Duncan stepped back and motioned for her to enter. Then once again he scanned the outdoors, unable to believe the woman had traveled the distance to his home unescorted through unfamiliar land.

When he turned, she had removed her light cloak and blew out a breath. “It is unseasonably warm is it not? Then again, I am not familiar with South Uist… is it always this warm in the summer?”

When she eyed his cup of ale, he motioned for her to drink. “Ye can have it.”

“Oh, thank ye, I am quite parched.”

While she drank, Duncan looked her over to ensure she was not injured. Other than a tear at the bottom of her skirts, she seemed well enough. Her hair was a bit disheveled, the blond waves framing her face in a wild uncontrolled manner.

She was flushed from the ride, her cheeks bright pink and her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she took in the surroundings.

“Yer sister told me ye would be here because ye rarely go anywhere. So, I took a chance to come and speak to ye. Now that I consider it, I should have asked for an escort. However, everyone is so busy at the keep. I hate to be a bother…” She stopped talking and met his gaze.

“I am interrupting yer meal. Please sit. Eat. I already ate before leaving.”

In truth he was hungry, so after motioning for Beatrice to sit, he poured more ale for her and lowered to his chair.

“What brings ye here?” he asked and began to eat again.

Beatrice let out a long sigh. “First of all, I wish to apologize to ye for writing to Mother and stating ye were courting me.”

“Why did ye?”

Seeming to realize that perhaps her hair was out of place, she brushed her hands over the strands, attempting to smooth them. “I had to come up with an excuse to remain longer. It was the only thing that occurred to me.”

“Why me?”

The question seemed to surprise Beatrice, her brows lowering as she considered how to reply. “Ye are never at the keep and I figured Mother would find ye too intimidating to question.”

Duncan gave her a dubious look. “Ye do not seem to have any hesitance to approach me.”

Lifting the cup and holding it with both hands, it was as if she tried to hide her expression from him. “I do. In a way find ye a bit… unapproachable.”

“I see.”

When he continued eating in silence, Duncan could feel her studying him. He had to admit it was a bit enjoyable to keep the mischievous lass wondering what he’d say next. “Yer mother asked my intentions.”

Duncan met her wide gaze, purposely not saying anything else. Her plump lips parted while she waited for him to continue.

“I told her ye were someone I’d be proud to court.”