Page 53 of The Eagle

“Someone needs to go fetch him,” Gideon said lowering his cup. “I can go.”

“I will go,” Caelan said. “Ye just returned from yer last trip.”

Lady Mariel placed both hands on the table and looked to everyone there. “I do not care who goes, but someone must go and fetch Stuart. He has been gone too long.”

Cait’s eyes widened at the stir she’d caused. “I do not mean to cause discord.”

“Ye are not,” Isobel said patting her hand. “Despite their sense of honor and such, Ross men seem inclined to make ridiculous mistakes.”

“Let us go speak to Darach, he will have to say who goes,” Caelan said standing. Then as the brothers walked out, Gideon winked at her.

“When it’s his turn, he may not be so jovial about it,” Lady Mariel murmured shaking her head as she followed her youngest’s progress.

“Now,” Isobel said. “We should prepare for a wedding.”

“Visit yer sister as planned. The day after tomorrow, we will go to the village and procure whatever is needed to decorate.” Lady Mariel gave Cait an accessing look. “We may have to summon the seamstress. Ye have lost weight since yer wedding dress was made.”

Annis, Isobel’s companion, and Cora entered and joined in the conversation, along with Cait’s mother. Everything that would be required for the wedding festivities was discussed, from food and drink to décor. It seemed with the two recent weddings, the women of Keep Ross had matters well in hand.

As the conversations whirled around Cait, she did her best to grasp the reality of the situation. Was she willing to marry a man who had to be fetched?

She held up a hand and everyone stopped speaking to look at her.

“If Stuart shows any inkling that he does not wish to be married, I will not force him into it. Perhaps we should wait until his arrival to make any preparations. I do not wish for ye to go to any more trouble for a wedding that may not take place.”

“A rider came and Darach says he has a message for ye,” Cora said entering Cait’s bedchamber.

Despite Stuart’s last written missive claiming his assurance of wishing to marry her, Cait could not help the sense of dread. Why had Darach not sent the letter with Cora?

“What do ye suppose it is? Usually, it is a written missive that he could have asked ye to give me.”

Cora shrugged. “It is strange.”

Taking her friend’s hand, Cait made her way down the corridor and down the stairs to find the laird. He was in the great room, along with Caelan and Ewan, who didn’t pay her much mind as she neared.

“Ah, there ye are,” Darach said motioning for her to come closer. “The guard has a message for ye and Mother.”

The sense of dread grew stronger. All Cait could think about was her mother and brother and what would happen if she had to leave.

A gruff guard stood with Lady Mariel next to the high board and Cait walked to them, still grasping Cora’s hand. Neither the guard nor Lady Mariel seemed discomfited by Cora’s presence.

“Mister Stuart requests that ye come to visit his home and perhaps remain for winter season.”

Lady Mariel frowned. “They are not married yet. I suppose I can chaperone, but I cannot be gone for an entire season. Isobel will be having her child soon.”

“Did he mention anything about our wedding?” Cait asked.

The guard glanced to the laird and then shook his head. “No Miss, he did not.”

Lacy Mariel huffed and shook her head. “Someone must go fetch him immediately. Did he fall and bump his head?”

Cait let out a long breath. “When ye return please tell him I will not travel and live there without being married first. Perhaps it is best that we pretend the engagement never happened.” She took the pin Stuart had given her and held it out to the guard. “Please give him this.”

“Oh dear,” Lady Mariel said turning to look in the direction of the laird. “Cait, ye should reconsider.”

She met the caring woman’s gaze. “What would ye do in my place? He asks that I come there and does not mention coming back to marry me. Tell me honestly.”

Lady Mariel sighed. A look of resignation on her face. “Exactly what ye are doing.”