Lillias straightened in her chair, piercing him with a serious look. “What have you given Eilidh that no one else has?”
Torquil thought for a moment, pondering her question. “Music,” he answered finally.
She smiled, a kenning look in her eye. “Then give that to her again.” She stood, and he felt his confidence building at the supportshe showed him. “Use your music to remind her why she chose you.” She patted his shoulder and left the garden, leaving him there to go over their conversation in his head.
He did not see Eilidh at all that afternoon. He was beginning to fash that she was actively avoiding him. He supposed he could understand why the way he had stormed from her chamber the night afore not to return. He had not seen her sisters either. Mayhap they were all banding together to offer Eilidh their support that she so desperately longed for.
Passing Alpin outside near the stables, Torquil decided to make a wide berth around the man and not offer assistance of any type. Eilidh’s brother would only refuse his offer anyhap, so why waste his breath and open the door that would lead to another argument.
That night, he once again did not return to Eilidh’s bedchamber. He found a quiet place out in the courtyard and pulled out the parchment he kept close. He reviewed the song he had begun to write afore he and Eilidh were married. It was a song that he planned on gifting her when the time was right. He read through the lyrics he had written, unhappy with how they did not delve deep enough into his feelings.
He scratched out what was on the parchment and started anew. He kept the melody, but changed the words, opening his heart, building the song like he wanted them to build their marriage. This time, the song ended in harmony. Sweet, jubilant harmony.
Lute in hand, he strummed the strings to match the notes he had written, singing softly by the firelight, his voice shaky with nerves, but realized those words were the most honest he had ever been.
He hoped, when Eilidh heard it, if he had the chance to perform it for her, that she would understand his true feelings.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Almost two anda half days had passed since Eilidh had last seen Torquil. Her stomach was in knots, and she found she had lost her appetite, no matter how much her mother and sisters encouraged her to sup. She just could not stomach the idea. She missed Torquil immensely. She was upset that she had uttered such words to turn him away from her.
“You need to eat, Eilidh,” her mother urged for the umpteenth time.
Eilidh shook her head. “I simply cannae, Ma.” She took a sip of tea, the only thing she had been able to stomach since Torquil left. Setting the cup down, she asked. “Do ye ken he will return?”
Lillias smiled. “He has not left, dear. He is committed to your union.”
“How can ye ken? He disappeared and has stayed away. No’ once has he tried to speak with me.” Eilidh pouted, sticking out her bottom lip. She missed her husband.
“I believe ’tis quite obvious to any outside observer, sister.” Moira chimed in. “One thing I have noticed about Torquil is that he cannae hide his feelings verra weel. He is like an open book when it comes to his love for ye.”
Eilidh crossed her arms. “It doesnae feel that way to me.”
Morven rolled her eyes. “Because ye are being too stubborn to seeit. Ye have much in common with Alpin, I fear than ye want to admit.”
Eilidh gasped. “Doonae say such things. I dinnae.”
Morven raised her brows as she looked at her in disbelief. “I think ye can ask Ma and Moira and they will say the same.”
She looked over at her mother and sister, silently asking the question Morven posed. Both of the women nodded. Throwing her hands up in exasperation, she asked, “Then why has he no’ come back?”
“Mayhap he is waiting for the right time,” Moira offered.
“Or an invitation,” Morven stated.
Eilidh stood and began to pace the floor, twirling a strand of hair around her finger as an idea began to form.
“Ma. Do ye think ye and da can host a small gathering? Here in the castle. Would ye be willing to do so?”
“I cannae answer for your father, though I can oft convince him to do my bidding in such things,” she answered with a small smile.
“Naught fancy, no fanfare, just music and basic food. Castle folk may come, but the invitation should no’ be extended outside of the castle walls.”
Lillias frowned. “What are you planning?”
“I am going to win my husband back, and in the process, show Da and Alpin that our love is real. That Torquil loves and respects me for who I am.”
Hesitant at first, Lillias finally agreed. “If you are willing to face them, then I will do what I can to help.”
