Page 46 of The Eagle

She’d changed into a dark brown skirt, pale tan blouse, and flowered vest. On her feet, Cait wore simple brown boots. When she peered into the looking glass, her breath caught at the woman who looked back at her.

“It is me?” Cait asked looking to Cora. “I look so different.”

“Like a proper lady,” Cora replied. “Now, ye must seek out Mister Stuart. He must be anxious to spend time with ye.”

Her stomach in knots, Cait descended the stairs and went in search of Stuart. When she walked into the parlor, she found him standing at the large windows with his brother, Caelan, looking out to the sea.

Unsure if she should interrupt, Cait almost turned around. Then remembering Lady Mariel’s words, she cleared her throat instead.

Both men turned, their gazes approving as they took her in. “If I may interrupt for a bit,” she said.

Caelan motioned to Stuart. “He is all yers.” The man gave her a warm smile and walked out.

“Ye look very pretty,” Stuart said closing the distance between them and kissing her soundly. “I am not sure I can leave ye behind.”

“I can go with ye…”

“No, I will not have ye working there. Besides, ye told me yer mother needs ye here.”

Cait hated that they’d be apart so soon after becoming betrothed. “Very well. I will support ye from here and do what I can to help.” Cait laid her head on his chest, the feel of him so comforting, she wanted to cry at the thought he’d be gone the next day.

“I will miss ye,” she admitted. “It is much too soon for ye to leave. We have only just begun to truly get to know one another.”

“I agree,” he said holding her close. “However, if I put it off one day, then it will turn into another and another. It is best that I proceed as planned. Besides, it is not so far that I cannot come and visit every fortnight or so.”

Her heart lightened. “I’d not thought about that.”

“Be sure to go to the seamstress to get clothes made. Once the house is habitable, ye will have to come prepared with all the necessary items for it. Ye should begin acquiring items such as…” He stopped and frowned down at her. “Whatever it is that is needed for a house.”

Cait laughed. “I will ask yer mother for help.”

“Good.”

“There is something else,” Stuart said, placing his curled forefinger under her chin and lifting it. “I am as surprised by Lila Maclean’s appearance as ye are. Do not fret over it. I am sure Caelan, and Isobel will keep her busy. If anything, I expect that she will stay at Caelan’s house and not here.”

“I can tell she was disappointed that ye were not available for courtship,” Cait said. “Stuart, if ye have any doubts after seeing her, I would not blame ye…”

“Not one single doubt.”

His mouth covered hers and she clung to him in a desperate attempt to not only prolong the kiss, but to memorize every second. The hardness of his body. His scent. How his kisses tasted. The low rumble that rose from his chest as he deepened the kiss. And the way his strong hands roamed over her back.

The wonder of discovery between them promised so much more and Cait wished the moment to never end. Parting her lips, she accepted the intrusion of his tongue past them. She suckled on it timidly at first and then with greed. His hands moved from her sides to cup her breasts, his thumbs circling the sensitive tips.

“Oh, Stuart,” Cait gasped out the words.

“Mmmm,” he replied trailing his lips from hers down the side of her neck. “I desire ye so very much.”

He lifted his head and peered down at her. “Why did I agree to wait to marry?” His crooked smile melted her heart.

Before Cait could form a reply, once again his mouth took hers.

“Ye must promise to come for me,” Cait said stopping the kiss. “Promise.”

Stuart studied her face, his brows drawn together. “Why do ye ask? I have asked ye to marry me. I pledge my love to ye, of course I will return.”

Swallowing past the lump that formed, Cait looked away to the view outside. The waves crashed against the shore in a reassuring pattern that promised another would come soon.

“I cannot yet believe this all to be true,” Cait admitted. “It is like a dream that ye would want someone like me for a wife.”