But, she was a Hart and not his to have. His head kenned that, but his heart disagreed. If Eilidh Hart walked through his door right now, he would not hesitate to wrap her in his arms and kiss her breathless.
“Shite.” He cursed to the empty room as he sat on the edge of thebed, elbows resting on his knees as he cradled his head in his hands.
His brother’s warning kept repeating over and over in his head.Stay away. Leave her alone.
But could he?
Nay, he didn’t think so. It was such an odd feeling considering he had never seen or met the lass afore last eve. A chance meeting and it was as if his universe had shifted, consuming him.
But should he?
Aye. His brother was right, he should stay away. He would skip the market today. Instead, he’ll go to the ridge and practice his lute surrounded by nature. Flowers, leaves, trees, and whatever wee animal dared to come about. The same way he had filled his days afore he had ever lain eyes on Eilidh Hart.
But as he strung his lute afore he left, he couldn’t push the thought out of his mind, that mayhap, just mayhap, fate would intervene, and Eilidh would make her way to him.
The thought was daft, he kenned that. But it did not stop him from dreaming.
Would he be lucky enough to see her again?
Chapter Five
Eilidh woke anddressed quickly. She wanted to get out of the house early today. Away from her family and whatever prying eyes were apparently always watching her every move.
When she had arrived home from the market the day afore, her mother had not been waiting to see her as she had been told. In fact, her mother had looked at her as if she had grown two heads.
“I didnae send anyone out to fetch ye, Eilidh,” her mother had laughed as she shook her head. “Whate’er gave ye such a daft idea. I ken how much ye enjoy the market. I wouldnae take that away from ye.”
“Weel, somebody did,” she had mumbled under breath.
“What was that?”
“’Twas naught. If ye dinnae need me, I will go to my chambers then.”
Her mother had just nodded and looked at her perplexed, her fingers stopped mid-stitch on her needlepoint.
She had a sneaking suspicion that the elder who had put an end to she and Torquil’s conversation was under her father’s command.
Was he the one who followed her on the road when she went to play at gatherings? Watching everything she did? Ensuring her safety? Had he followed her when she went to the market? Watching from afar and then reporting whatever he thought he had seen to her father?
If that were true, then hopefully stating that she was going to practice alone would not prompt him to follow.
She huffed as she strapped her fiddle case over her shoulder and closed her bedchamber door with a soft click of the latch. She supposed it was not an affront if he was there to keep her safe, but she found it quite irritating that he would position himself to where he was interfering with people she met.
No matter how forbidden those people may be.
Ignoring the kitchen, she made her way down the hall to the courtyard. She loved Una, but she didn’t want to speak with her this morn. The woman was far too intuitive. It was as if she could read Eilidh’s mind, and at this time, she did not want anyone doing that.
Outside, the sky was clear and the sun shone bright. It would be a lovely day to go exploring the woods.
“Where are ye off to, Eilidh?” a deep voice questioned her from behind.
She closed her eyes, stopping in her tracks, and took a deep breath. Pressing her lips together, she slowly turned. “Good morn, Da.”
He crossed his arms and assessed her, a stern look on his face.
The gesture made her want to shrink under his scrutiny. Much like she had done when she was young and he would give her that same look.
“Did ye no’ have enough shopping time at the market already?”
