Page 25 of The Lyon’s Lass

“Capt’n says you and Jack are to ride ahead. He will settle The Rue out from the docks and be along shortly,” Hodge said.

“Please tell my husband, I am happy to wait for him to join us.” She tried to sound stern but yawned.

“Ye are a stubborn one. He’d have his hands full with you,” Hodge said. She might have been offended, but she could tell by the humor in the older man’s eyes he’d meant no disrespect. And, at the moment at least, she was being stubborn.

“Very well,” she agreed. “I’ll go. I’m not one to force my company on someone when it is obviously not wanted.”

“Things are not always as they seem,” the man said more to himself this time. She didn’t have the strength to explore what he’d meant. The earl didn’t want her. She was not a wave throwing herself upon the shore over and over.

Perhaps the Captain wouldn’t even come to Kesson. For all she knew, he might have changed his mind about overseeing the repairs, and simply turn around and leave them there without a care.

Even Jack lacked his usual energy to see where they were going. Perhaps it was because it seemed so dim after how big the moon had been the night before. There was nothing for them to see out the windows except for trees. Eventually the sound of the carriage wheels shifted to gravel and the conveyance slowed before coming to a full stop.

The doors were opened and there was the castle. With torches lit on the walls, and the light from the moon, she was able to get a feel for its size just as a formidable woman bustled closer.

“Good eve, to ye Lady Kesson. I am pleased you’ve arrived safely. This must be Lord Jack. I’m Mrs. Sutherland.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Sutherland. I’m afraid a tour of the castle will have to wait until morning. My brother and I look only for our beds.”

Jack gave her arm a tug and signed to her.

“Apologies. My brother could also use a bit of food.” She should have warned the woman that her brother would always need a bit a food no matter the time of day or night, but the housekeeper would find out soon enough.

“I’ll have something sent up to your room,” Mrs. Sutherland said, and Jack nodded having been able to understand her.

Maisy’s room was well appointed with a sitting room and a large bed. The windows faced the ocean. She could see the much smaller moon glimmer in the water. The seat there would no doubt offer a lovely view of the sea in the daylight. She promised herself she would never spend a moment sitting there looking for a ship with yellow flowers painted on the hull to return.

She would go on about her life as she wished and be glad for it.

Maisy was settled in her bed, when she heard voices and a few thumps coming from the room adjoining hers.

Her husband must have decided to see to the castle after all.

She shook her head at her uncharitable thoughts. Her anger with Iain was unwarranted. He’d been an honorable man. He’d kept his promises. She could not ask him for more. Kissing had been a bonus, not part of their arrangement.

Since her debut, she’d been waiting for some unnamed man to want her. She’d not spend another minute waiting for a man. She’d live her life. And Captain Iain Douglas was free to live his.

She closed her eyes and tried to think of other things, but everything seemed uncomfortably quiet and much too still. She’d only spent a few nights on a ship and already she missed the soft echo of the waves against the ship and the gentle sway of the sea.

How did Iain manage it after years of sailing? Was that the reason he didn’t plan to stay very long?

It didn’t matter. He was free to do what he wanted. She’d not try to stop him from leaving.

But it seemed there was something she needed before he left.

It was time to renegotiate their arrangement.

Iain tossed once again on his huge bed. When he’d first set eyes upon the monstrosity taking up one whole wall of the room, he’d laughed. Only an earl with an over-indulgent sense of worth would need a bed so large to rest his enormous head.

Now, though, he was grateful for the extra space for it gave him plenty of room to flop about in his unsuccessful quest for sleep.

He could blame many things on his restlessness. It was too quiet. Too still.

He’d opened the window so he might hear the waves and smell the ocean, but the night air was chilled. It made him recall the coolness of the night before when he’d offered his coat to Maisy.

Then he’d kissed her.

Thinking of their kiss was possibly the biggest reason he couldn’t sleep. The kiss and their conversation earlier in the day. When she’d hinted at taking a lover.