Page 37 of The Eagle

At first meal, the family sat in the dining room, away from those who came early and mingled in the great hall.

“I suggest ye leave behind anything of sentimental value in yer bedchamber,” his mother advised once he sat. “Ye do not wish items to become lost while ye work.”

Isobel frowned in his direction. “Who is going with ye? I hear Bree and her husband are. I will miss our trips to the village.”

“Aye, Dougal and Bree are going. So are four guardsmen, Anton and two men from the village.”

The rest of the conversation as they ate was about his upcoming trip and the more they talked, the more anxious he was to head out.

When he finished eating, he hurried up to his bedchamber to begin packing. A cool breeze blew in through the open window and he went to peer out. Cait was standing at the well with Cora, who was quite animated and pointing towards where the guards sparred. Cait shook her head and crossed her arms.

From where he was, he couldn’t see Cait’s expression clearly, but from the way she stood she was not happy about whatever the other woman had said.

Cait took Cora’s arm and they walked around the side of the house. Intrigued, Stuart went to his other window to see what happened.

The women stood watching the guards practicing. Every so often they’d talk and then continue watching.

Stuart looked to the field to see who was there. It could be Cora was telling Cait about someone who was interested in courting her. And although reluctant, Cait had agreed to speak to whomever it was.

Upon noting they had an audience, several of the men picked up the pace, grunting loudly to get Cait and Cora’s attention.

It was ridiculous to be annoyed and yet, Stuart found himself storming from the room, down the stairs, through the great room, and out the front door.

When he rounded the house, Cait and Cora were still speaking in low tones.

“Speak to him. Perhaps he will tell ye what…” Cora stopped talking. “Mister Stuart.”

Cait didn’t turn around. “Mister Stuart,” she said turning her face just a bit so not to be disrespectful.

“May I speak to ye, Cait?” Stuart asked looking to Cora, who remained where she was her gaze pinned on Cait. Finally, she gave Cait a worried look and walked away.

Since Cait didn’t turn to face him, Stuart rounded her standing between her and the guard’s field. “I have been meaning to speak to ye. I owe ye an apology.”

“There is no need to apologize for a comment I was not supposed to hear.” Her reply was curt. Her gaze remained fixed on a point past his right shoulder. “If that is all Mister Stuart, I have duties to attend to.”

“It was thoughtless of me to refer to ye in such a manner. Ye are important to me and I am not sure why I said it. The only excuse I have is that I am a horse’s arse.”

She didn’t move or look up at him. “I am a servant; therefore, ye did not say anything that should affect me.”

“It was thoughtless and not at all true. I do have feelings for ye and hope to get to know ye better.”

They were silent for a long moment until Cait finally sighed. “May I go now please?”

“Forgive me,” he repeated. “Allow me to make it up to ye.”

She nodded. “Ye have nothing to make up for.”

“I am leaving,” Stuart blurted. “To my lands.”

“Aye, I have heard. I wish ye well.” Again, her tone was flat.

As she went to turn away, he reached out and touched her still crossed arm. “Perhaps ye and yer family will wish to move there. Once I get everything settled.”

It was then that her gaze lifted to his. For a moment he was struck silent by her beauty. The woman appealed to him like no other. Leaving her there would be one of the hardest things he could ever do.

“Say ye will come,” Stuart repeated.

“I cannot.” She let out a long breath. “I do not understand what ye wish from me. I have been clear that I will not be more than a servant to this household.”