Page 25 of The Beast

The man scratched his head. “Strange ye should ask. Earlier today, I saw a horseman riding away. It was as if he’d come near but decided not to stop.”

“What did he look like?”

“Could not see clearly, he was a ways off. Only thing was his shoulders were off, his right much lower than the left.”

The uneasy feeling followed Duncan as he went inside. He paced in the parlor considering who the person was.

It was rare that they had visitors and it was always someone of Caelan’s acquaintance who came to relive old times. Often the men who came would only remain a day or two, drinking and talking until late in the night. Sometimes, they’d bring women to spend time with. Other times, they’d go into town to the tavern.

He felt more at ease and considering that perhaps the man who’d come near had met someone who’d informed him Caelan was not in residence.

“Do ye require anything, Mister Duncan?” Gara stood at the doorway, she and Firtha, the other servant, knew better than to approach him directly or go into a room where he was. They’d been witnesses to his darker side and despite it, had remained.

“Nay, I ate before leaving Dún Láidir. I will have last meal and that is all.”

He walked back out and directly to the stone wall. While lifting each stone, he pictured Beatrice and her reaction to learning about his past. The muscles of his arms quivered as he lifted another heavy stone to place it atop the wall. Once in place, he leaned on the wall for a moment to catch his breath and then bent to get the next one.

Chapter Seven

Lady Mariel waited for the maid to leave the sitting room before speaking. Beatrice almost told her not to by the pain etched on her face.

“This is a story every mother hopes never to have to tell,” she began. “To know the horrors my son suffered can never stop hurting my heart.”

Isobel leaned to the woman and took her hand. “Ye do not have to tell us. If it is something so horrible that it keeps Duncan from marriage, yer word is enough.”

“I agree,” Beatrice added. “We can find another solution to the situation. Even if it comes to me having to marry another of yer sons. Although I do wish to make clear, is not the option I prefer.”

Her lips curved as Lady Mariel met Beatrice’s gaze. “Ye would make a fine wife for Duncan. But he is damaged and fears intimacy.”

After a moment, she began to talk.

The grey skies did not promise an easy voyage and Duncan looked to his father, expecting him to call off the trip. He dared not say anything, else be backhanded in front of the others present.

They were to go to the shore of Skye to meet with a ship. According to his father, there was to be a valuable shipment and he would be one of the first to purchase items that would be resold for a fortune.

Two men had come in the cloak of darkness to inform his father about it, and now they were set to go and meet the captain of the ship.

Once onboard the bìrlinn, the sea tossed it this way and that. The vessel tipping so far sideways, Duncan was sure he’d fall into the deep water.

His father ignored him the entire time, excitedly speaking to the men about the purchase. With only four guards, Duncan wondered about the wisdom of going so far with virtual strangers.

By the time they arrived ashore it was hours later, and Duncan was so exhausted he could barely stand.

“Come along,” his father said grabbing him by the nape. “Do not dawdle. I brought ye to learn the ways of commerce. As second born, ye must have a trade. Do not make me regret it.”

Silently, he followed his father along the planks of the seaside village until they met with yet another set of men.

Duncan listened as his father argued prices and the amount he was willing to purchase at said price. It came to a point during an argument that the guards had to intercede to keep the men from hitting Laird Ross.

Finally, an agreement was reached, and they were escorted to a nondescript house. Once inside there were piles of goods spread out in the large main room.

His father’s eyes grew wide, and Duncan recognized the look of greed. Often his father had the same look upon seeing a woman he’d not noticed before, or when looking to acquire a new horse for the stables.

This time, however, the look was more intense.

“How much for that?” He pointed to neatly stacked fabrics. “I have never seen such colors.”

If not for the unsettling appearance of the sellers, Duncan would have laughed at the thought of his father selling merchandise, like a common peddler.