Calla almost choked before she got the bite of bread down. "Oh. Nay, I wish you wouldn't. 'Twouldbe very awkward." She well knew that LairdKilverntaywould never wish his son to marry her. His dark look of disapproval said it all. He wanted Rebbie to marry an innocent young virgin with a large dowry. Calla hadn't been one of those in many years, nor did she wish to be. She loved being a mother. And of course she had no property, dowry or otherwise.
"Well… I suppose I'll just have to have faith, and pray that Laird Rebbinglen comes to his senses and marries you. Why, you should've seen him after you disappeared last night. He was beside himself, woke the whole castle, he did, demanding that you be found." Mistress Hillman shook her head, a mist of tears in her eyes. "And when he returned, carrying you in his arms as if you were the most precious treasure on earth…." She blinked and dabbed at her nose with a handkerchief. "You should've seen the look on his face, m'lady."
Calla was near speechless. She dropped her gaze and cleared her throat, uncertain how she felt about all of this. Her heart danced with delight at the mere thought that Rebbie might care for her more than he did any other woman, but at the same time, she knew naught could come of it. Too many circumstances, and people, stood against them.
***
While Calla rested and recovered, Rebbie attended Graham's—the guard MacFadden had killed—funeral in the wee village kirk, not too far from the castle. Rebbie left beforeMacFadden'sfuneral, which was to follow it.
MacFadden was to be buried in the kirk yard with a view of Tummel Castle in the distance. Rebbie could well imagine the troubled man's spirit haunting the place and gazing out toward the beloved castle, but never able to possess what he coveted most.
Rebbie truly did feel sorry for the man. At one point, he'd almost liked him, but then he'd proven himself a malicious traitor by leading Calla out to Claybourne. He wished things could've turned out differently. Wished, most of all, that Calla hadn't been hurt.
Walking alone back to Tummel through the cool, damp air, he prayed Calla would heal and return to normal very soon. He'd come so close to losing her, he couldn't even comprehend….
One thing was certain—she was precious to him. He knew not when he'd become so attached to her, but sleeping with her last night, he'd felt like he was home for the first time in many years. He'd needed naught more than to hold her, inhale her feminine scent, and listen to her breathing.
After they'd broken their fast that morn, he'd gone back into Calla's room and told her how MacFadden had died. He knew 'twouldfrighten her because Calla and Rebbie had almost been attacked by wolves as well. She was terrified of the creatures, and rightly so.'Twasnot safe for anyone to go wandering about alone.
When Rebbie passed through the portcullis and approached the castle, someone yelled out, "What is this, Robert?"
Rebbie found his father standing at the corner of the castle where the new tower was being constructed. He shifted direction and headed toward him.
"'Tisa new tower MacFadden started."
His father gave him a perplexed look.
"I ken what you're thinking. He was a bit mad."
"Hmph. Well, at least you don't have to finish it."
Rebbie studied the fine stonework of the half tower, obviously created by a skilled mason. "I want to."
"Why?"
"MacFadden convinced me of its value.'Twillimprove the castle. I plan to spend time here in the future. The hunting in autumn will be good. I'll need more bedchambers for all my guests."
He shrugged. "'Tisup to you. Your grandfather—your mother's father—owned the castle and had a great fondness for it. I'm sure such a thing would've pleased him."
Rebbie nodded, remembering Papa Stewart and his long white beard.
"Take a walk with me, son. I think we should talk."
Guessing what his father wanted to talk about, Rebbie ground his teeth. "Very well."
Once beyond the portcullis, they strode along the glimmering loch's edge where the grazing sheep had nipped the grass short. The leaden clouds overhead matchedRebbie'smood.
"What is going on between you and Lady Stanbury?" his father asked.
Of course, he'd known the conversation would be about her. "Is it not obvious? I'm helping her. Trying to keep her safe from that knave, Claybourne."
"'Tisnot all. You're bedding her as well. I ken you're still sowing your wild oats, but you must consider that she is the cousin and companion of the woman you are to marry.'Twillsurely cause strife."
Annoyance bordering on anger heatedRebbie'sveins. "As I've said already, I won't be marrying Lady Elena. I was on my way to tell Barclay that when I had to rescue Lady Stanbury."
"So, you intend to marryher?" His father flung a hand toward the castle.
"I've not decided to marry anyone as of yet," he snapped. "I see no need to rush into anything."
