Page 33 of The Eagle

From what she overheard, it had sounded as if someone was coming to visit, and they would bring a woman who Stuart was supposed to meet.

All that had happened between her and Stuart was a simple kiss. In her limited knowledge of men, Stuart had not come close to declaring himself. He was kind. And might possibly be attracted to her. Nothing more.

Cait lifted her head, unsure what to do with the rest of the day. What she needed to do was go home and spend time with her mother.

Lady Ross had told her to take time off from her duties and she would do just that.

Chapter Nine

It had been a night filled with tossing and turning. Stuart’s mind going from one thing to the other and still he had no idea what he wished to do. Searching deep inside himself, he came up empty.

Nothing motivated him and that was the problem. It infuriated him that for so long he’d lived in the shadows of his brothers. He’d always done what he could to help but had lost a sense of who he truly was.

Although a restlessness had come over him, the stirring in his soul came without direction or guide. Instead, all he felt was a deep sense of wanting to do something different. To find his true purpose.

Then there was Cait. Despite how hard he tried to put any thoughts of her aside, the beautiful woman invaded his every waking moment. The thought of not including her—in whatever his future may be—brought hesitation. He’d dreamt of having a conversation with her and asking if she wanted to be with him. Because he wasn’t sure he could leave her behind.

She would not remain unmarried for long and the thought of her with someone else was unbearable.

It was a wonder she wasn’t being pursued already. Then again, perhaps she was, suitors weren’t always obvious.

With a growl, he threw the blankets aside, and pushing past the pain from the beating he’d received, he got up. There was much to do, and he could not remain abed waiting for inspiration to come.

One thing he knew for certain: His destiny’s call was strong.

Stuart stomped down the stairs to the great hall. There were a few cots with injured men along a far wall in front of the large hearth. The fire from it would keep them warm as they recovered from their injuries.

Several servants meandered between the beds, reassuring the men as they replaced the wet rags on their foreheads.

He continued to the study, where he walked in to find Darach and Isobel in a passionate embrace. The couple was so engrossed in each other, they didn’t hear him enter and only pulled apart when he dragged a chair back and sat.

Isobel blushed and smiled up at her husband before looking to Stuart. “I am glad to see ye about. How do ye feel?”

“Why are ye not in bed?” Darach asked, his over-protectiveness rearing as he assessed Stuart’s injuries.

“I am not so injured that there was need for me to stay in bed any longer.”

After a lingering look to her husband—that promised more to come—Isobel walked out. Darach followed her progress for a bit before turning his attention to Stuart.

“Ye asked for me to let ye go. What do ye mean to do? Where do ye intend to go?”

The direct questions caught Stuart off guard. He’d expected Darach to try to talk him out of leaving.

He was prepared to let his brother know he still planned to leave, without a destination or a purpose in mind. Now he wondered if it would sound childish and petty to leave when he was needed at the keep.

“I can go to one of the posts, either in the north or south. We’ve had two encroachments in the last few months, we need more vigilance.”

His brother watched him for a few moments. “Every man needs to prove their worth. Ye have proven to be brave and taken charge when it was needed. There is no reason to go away. I need ye here.”

There was a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach as he tried to explain to his brother that his life had been quite the opposite. He’d not done anything as worthwhile as any of his brothers, except for Gideon, who was too young yet to compare himself with.

“I have done nothing more than any other guard. Stood up for our clan and protected the family.” Standing, he stalked across the room. “I want to do something that matters. To our clan. To ye. To myself.”

“Very well,” Darach said moving closer. “Perhaps I am selfish in wanting our family to remain close. I understand the need to have yer own life.”

“I am restless and have to do something.”

“Go to yer land. The people in the village there are in great need.”