Page 38 of The Eagle

“Is something wrong?” Torac, her half brother neared, his eyes fixed on Stuart. “Mister Stuart is there something ye require of Cait?”

Stuart shook his head. He was not intimidated by Torac—quite the opposite—he admired the willingness of the man to stand up for his sister. “I was telling Cait that I am leaving and asked if she, her mother, and her brother would be interested in going to the northwest eventually.”

Torac studied him for a long moment before looking to Cait. “It could be something beneficial for ye. To start at a new household.”

“I will consider it,” Cait said, and gave her brother a searching look before turning to him. “Is that all Mister Stuart?”

“Will ye truly think about it?”

She let out a sigh. “I will.”

Stuart nodded.

She then looked at her brother. “I must speak to ye about something that is of great concern.”

Dismissed, Stuart walked away, lighter at the being given a glimmer of hope that Cait would consider moving.

Chapter Ten

Cait glared at her brother. “Cora is bereft. Why do ye ignore her?”

“I have been busy. Ye know with that little thing called: a battle. And I have been given new responsibilities as head guard for a contingent of men.”

Rolling her eyes, Cait gave him a pointed look. “Ye returned unscathed. Thank God. Honestly, I am glad. But Torac ye cannot simply ignore Cora after… well after everything.”

At least her intimidating brother managed to look uncomfortable at her words. His wide shoulders lifted and lowered as he considered what to say.

“I need time. She wishes for more than I am willing to give now.”

“Then ye should not have taken things so far. Her heart is broken, and she’s scared. Her parents wish her to marry someone from the village.”

Torac wiped away the sweat from his face with his forearm. “It would not be a bad thing for her to marry someone who will give her all she wants.”

“Torac,” Cait gasped his name. “Ye will have her marry someone else and not bat an eye?”

Her brother’s temper came to the surface. “Let it be Cait. This is none of yer concern. What about ye and Stuart Ross. Why does he show so much interest in ye?”

He was not about to abruptly changed the subject and throw her off balance. “He caused me to cut my hand. Before that, he happened to run into me in the forest just as I was hiding from a boar. There is nothing else. I believe Lady Ross is behind it. Making him feel responsible for my well-being. Nothing more.”

Torac gave her a dubious look, then glanced over his shoulder toward the front door. “Never forget dear sister, people like them are not like us. They marry within their social circle and any interest in us is for nothing more than a dalliance.”

“That is the reason I am not certain about going to the northwest. I do not wish for him to think I aspire to be more than a servant.”

“I believe Stuart Ross to be an honorable man. If he brings ye there, he will give ye a good position. Perhaps head cook or housekeeper,” Torac admitted. “But just make sure he is aware ye will not be interested in anything more.”

Cait let out a long breath. “A post that would allow me to provide more for Mother, would be good. I will think on it.”

Watching her brother walk away, she considered how she’d feel when Stuart married a woman of his status. If she went with him, would it be possible for her to push her feelings away? It was not an easy choice. On the one hand, if she went with him, it would be easier to support her family. On the other, every day she’d be forced to watch Stuart with his wife.

“What did he say?” Cora asked as soon as Cait walked into the kitchen. The kitchen maids were chopping vegetables for last meal, not paying them any mind. Still, Cait did not wish to be overheard.

“Come let us take cups out to the great hall and begin setting up.”

Seeming to understand, Cora began placing cups on the tray, in clumsy stacks. Cait did the same only much neater. Keeping her tray light so that she could hold it using both hands.

They hurried to the great room, which—lucky for them—was empty.

“He does not care for me, does he?” Cora said, her eyes bright with tears. “Just say it Cait.”