Page 58 of The Eagle

As they rode, Stuart looked up to the sky. It was a clear blue, not one cloud to be seen. “I think we will be blessed with good riding weather.”

When the Ross keep came to view it was evening, and the sun was low on the horizon. They’d ridden at a leisurely pace allowing the horses to rest and drink from a loch.

Stuart’s heartbeat quickened at knowing that within moments he’d be seeing Cait again and he could barely keep from urging the horse to a gallop.

“What are ye going to say to her?” Caelan asked casually.

“I am not sure,” Stuart replied honestly. “I hope that words will come to me upon seeing her.”

Caelan shrugged. “I do not expect that will work out well.”

Stuart gave his brother a droll look.

Chapter Sixteen

Cait straightened in her chair, looking up from her lesson. Her back ached from working on her letters for so long. Still, Isobel seemed intent on continuing.

“Ye should consider resting. The babe should be arriving any day,” Cait said hoping her friend would agree.

Instead, Isobel peered over her shoulder. “I must say. I am very impressed with yer penmanship.” She then walked to the fireplace and from there to the window. “Write the following . . . Oh, dear, who’s that coming?”

Cait began writing and upon completing the sentence looked to Isobel, who remained at the window. “I cannot believe it. Finally, he comes.”

Once again Cait bent over her parchment and wrote the words. “That is most curious,” she murmured. “I am not sure to have written it correctly. Can ye look?”

When Isobel didn’t move and her eyes widened, Cait became concerned. “Are ye feeling pains?”

“I think ye need to see this.” Isobel waved her over and Cait got up her stomach sinking at the idea of something dreadful outside.

Two riders approached from the north. One was familiar. It was easy to recognize Caelan, with his style of dress. The other rider, however, was not familiar to her. He wore long hair, and his face was obscured by a beard.

“I wonder why Caelan returned so soon?” Cait said her breath catching. “Do ye expect he brings bad news?”

By Isobel’s incredulous look, she missed something. Cait looked from Isobel back outside, but the men had disappeared into the courtyard.

“We should go see what has happened,” Cait said. “What is wrong?”

“The man who travels with Caelan, did ye not find him familiar?”

Cait shook her head looking back out despite knowing the men would not be visible. “No. Why?”

Slowly the identity of who the man could be inched into her mind. “Do ye think that was Stuart?”

“Who else could it be?” Isobel asked and then motioned for Cait to follow. “Come let’s find out.”

“No.” Cait looked wildly toward the doorway. “I do not wish to speak to him. I am not prepared.”

There was understanding in Isobel’s gaze. “I suppose it is best to wait for him to come to ye.”

“No.” Cait dashed from the parlor. Then realizing she’d have to go through the great room to get to the stairs or out to the kitchen, she turned in a full circle confused and panicked. Finally, she dashed into a small room at the end of the hall and sat on a bed. In the darkness, she felt better, safer.

It wasn’t much later that she heard Isobel explaining to someone that she was just there and had walked out. Cait held her breath until finally whoever they were walked away.

The longer she waited the more anxious she became until soon she was crying and could not bring herself to stop. Was it really Stuart? Had he finally returned?

It was time for her to accept her fate and allow things to progress the way they should. As if a massive boulder had been placed on her chest, she could not take full breaths.

There was a soft knock and she inhaled deeply. Cait remained quiet, not wanting to let them know she was in there.