Page 64 of The Eagle

“Yes?” he replied nonchalantly. “What is it Cait?”

“My brother spoke to me…” She stopped speaking when the towel around his hips slipped a bit. “Uh…he said to have seen ye in the forest.”

Afraid the cloth would fall to around his ankles, Stuart gripped the cloth where it joined and pulled it closed tucking the end back into place. The entire time Cait watched not realizing he observed her.

“What did yer brother say?”

“What?” She blinked rapidly. “I should allow ye to dress instead of standing here like a ninny.”

Stuart walked closer to her. “Tell me.”

Her eyes seemed to glaze over before focusing on his. “My brother?”

He moved closer until barely a breath between them. “Aye. What did ye say?”

“Oh.” Her lips parted. “That ye…” She swallowed when he reached up with both hands raking his fingers through his too-long hair. “That ye told him about plans for me, my mother, and my brother…” Again, she stopped mid-sentence when he wet his bottom lip.

“I should allow ye to dress. We can speak later.”

Stuart let the corners of his mouth lift just a bit. “Good, I have much to say to ye.”

Her eyes widened when his cloth slipped a bit too low, and the patch of hair just above his sex peeked out.

“Goodness.” Her eyes rounded as she back out of the room running into the door before turning and escaping.

Stuart chuckled.

“Here are some clean clothes,” Greer said in a flat tone.

“Thank ye,” Stuart said still smiling.

Greer shook her head. “I do not know what ye did to that poor lass, but her face was red when she flew past me and out of the kitchen.”

He shrugged then grinned wickedly at Greer when she rolled her eyes.

Once dressed, Stuart decided to search for Cait. Planning to take advantage of every moment that he could spend with her.

“I heard ye were soaked through.” His mother neared automatically feeling his brow. “I pray ye do not become ill.”

“I feel much better now that I’ve had a hot bath. Greer gave me something to drink to dispel any sickness.”

In the great room, there were people milling about taking shelter from the hard rain outside. He searched the faces, noting that Cait was not among them.

“Where is Cait?”

His mother gave a one-shouldered shrug. “I do not know. I am caring for Isobel. She is feeling a bit poorly. I suppose either in the parlor or upstairs in the sitting room.”

He walked through the great room, stopping twice to speak to people who asked about his new home.

In the parlor, Gideon was with a woman Stuart did not recognize. By the look on his brother’s face, he’d interrupted something.

Stuart nodded in acknowledgment. “I am seeking out Cait.”

“She is not here,” Gideon replied. Realizing his lack of manners, his brother motioned to the woman. “May I present, Margaret McLeary. This is my brother, Stuart.”

The woman bowed her head. “It is nice to meet ye.”

Whoever she was, the woman was much older than Gideon; but by the way she looked at his younger brother, they were well acquainted. Gideon had a penchant for getting into trouble with women.