Page 78 of The Eagle
Other than the two women, there was only one other woman, Bree, who lived on the property. Bree was married to Stuart’s cousin, Dougal. Apparently back at Keep Rosss, they’d been living in the village, which was why Cait had never met her.
Bree was soft-spoken and seemed sweet. “I am glad that ye are here,” she told Cait.
There were several guards and a stable worker, as well as Brice, Anton, and Lyall that rounded out those who would live there.
Once inside, Cait was shocked at how beautiful the house was. It was spacious, with high ceilings and large hearths in every room. The great room was divided by a half wall with an arched doorway. On one side a gathering room, on the other a large dining room.
She allowed Stuart to take her to their bedchamber as Bree went with her mother and Cora to show them theirs.
The room was large with shuttered windows that looked out to what Stuart had described as a future flower garden. Currently, the soil was tilled but nothing was planted. In the bedchamber there was a large four-poster bed, a small fireplace, and in one corner there was a screen for privacy. Also, a large wardrobe dominated one wall, and her trunk joined his at the foot of the bed.
Two chairs with a table between them faced the fireplace and there was a small table on each side of the bed.
“The room is beautiful,” Cait said, and meant she it. “The house is well built and every aspect of it quite pleasing.”
She opened her mouth to tell him that she wished to have been part of it, to have helped rebuild the home back to its former beauty, but he hugged her close. “I did this for ye.”
Cait held her tongue as he took her hand to show her more of the house.
After she had a chance to wash up and change, they went to the dining room as Maisie and Grace were quite anxious to serve them their first meal.
They sat at a table with her mother, Torac, and Lyall. Cora chose to stay in the kitchen and Cait understood her not wishing to eat in the same room as Torac.
Moments after they sat and began nibbling from a platter of cheese and fruit, Bree and Dougal joined them.
The cooks bustled out to serve each a large bowl of rich stew with warm baked bread and freshly churned butter. The meal was wonderful and Cait informed the women that she enjoyed every bite.
“How fares Artair?” Stuart asked his cousin.
Dougal shook his head. “He is most anxious for ye to appoint someone else to the post. Says he cannot abide village life.”
“Tomorrow Cait and I go to the village. I will give her the choice of continuing to live here or there. The house there is most spacious.”
Cait gave him a curious look. “I cannot imagine living in a village. I can already tell ye that I will prefer to remain here. However, if there are duties to be performed, then I will go wherever ye decide is best.”
When he gave her a warm look, her insides melted.
“What about ye Bree?” Stuart asked. “How do ye feel about living in the village?”
Dougal gave Stuart an incredulous look. “Do ye mean for me to take over as constable?”
“Only if Bree wishes to live in the ostentatious house in the village.”
Bree giggled. “I must admit to finding the house quite out of place. Almost like a castle amongst shacks. It looks quite strange.”
“Can anything be changed about it?” Cait asked. “I would not wish to live in a place that would make those around me feel less than.”
“Quite so,” Bree agreed, then her eyes widened as she addressed her husband. “Would we live there if ye is to become constable?”
Everyone paused when Dougal shrugged. “I am not sure. What say ye, Stuart?”
“I will leave it up to ye. But it is a grand house.”
The interest was obvious when Dougal looked to his wife. “Would ye live there?”
Bree waved his worry away. “I would. However, we must find a way to make it more welcoming. Perhaps house orphans or something.”
“Off to find orphans then,” Dougal announced, and everyone chuckled.
