Page 60 of The Eagle

With every step toward the parlor, her heart thundered harder and harder. To her surprise, Stuart was not waiting for her. She sent Cora to tell him to meet her there.

At first, she sat in an overstuffed chair. Then too restless, she went to the window. Feeling somewhat as if posing, she went to a different chair and sat. Her lesson from the day before was at the table in front of her and she looked down at the blurry words.

In the time Stuart had been gone, she’d learned to read and write. She’d been taught embroidery and had learned to run a household. In a way, she owed Stuart for providing her with a new life and a better way to support her small family.

Suddenly he was there.

The man she loved walked into the parlor and upon seeing her stopped. His gaze locked with hers and Cait felt as if an invisible force pulled her to him. It took all her willpower not to stand and run into his arms.

What stopped her was that he’d not made the short trip to come see her in months. He’d been gone long enough that she had to stare at him, take in his eyes, lips, and newly shaved chin to recall how he looked.

Stuart also studied her. She’d changed, Cait was aware. Her nails were clean now, her hair shiny, and her clothing of a much better quality. She sat erect, with hands folded on her lap, legs crossed at the ankle.

“Cait. I hoped to see ye upon arriving,” he finally said. “Why would ye not see me?”

The question took her by surprise. Did he really not know how much he’d hurt her?

“I was unprepared,” Cait finally replied. “For ye to appear so suddenly after so long. I was not sure how to react.”

He walked closer and she held her breath until he stopped just a step away. When she looked up, he was frowning. “Ye no longer care for me do ye?”

The conversation was not going as she’d expected. He acted vulnerable, as if he were the injured party.

Cait stood and took a couple of steps backward. “It is ye who showed yer lack of caring by not returning to marry me. It was loud and clear to me that ye hoped by remaining away our betrothal would end.”

“That is utter nonsense.”

She looked up into his eyes. “Why did ye return? Did Caelan have to convince ye to come and see me?”

When he looked away for a scant moment Cait knew the answer. He did not plan to return.

He reached for her, but when she leaned away he lowered his hand. “I care for ye a great deal Cait and was going to return for ye…”

“When?” Cait interrupted and managed to hitch her chin up to show strength while inside she was dying.

“As soon as everything was ready. I wished the house, the lands… everything to be completed so that when ye came to live there, I could ensure a good home for us.”

It was the hardest thing she’d ever done. To look at the man she loved and try to fathom that his feelings had changed.

“I understand that over time, what ye felt for me has diminished. That is why I released ye of yer offer. Do not allow yer brothers to force ye to do something ye do not wish. I will be well.”

“Cait. I want to marry ye. I feel the same for ye. Believe me.” He reached out and took her hand, then lifted it to his mouth and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “I wish to marry ye.”

He seemed so sincere. Everyone insisted he cared for her, but she had a hard time believing it. Perhaps it was her own insecurities. And yet, he had hurt her by not returning even for a short visit.

“My feelings for ye remain, however, understand that I need time.” She snatched her hand away. “Please.”

Letting out a breath, his gaze locked with hers. “I will try.” He motioned to the door, his face softer. “We should go and break our fast.”

The last thing she wanted right then, was to eat, but she nodded and allowed him to guide her out. When his hand brushed her elbow, it was as if a bolt of lightning traveled through her body. Her feelings for Stuart had not diminished in the least.

The conversation in the dining room ceased when they walked in. Thankfully, there were only four people sitting around the table. The laird, Isobel, Lady Mariel, and Gideon.

Her mother refused to eat with the laird’s family, preferring to take her meals with Cora and Greer in the small room beside the kitchen.

After a beat, Lady Mariel began speaking once again about what would be required for Isobel’s delivery. Apparently, Isobel’s mother, Lady Macdonald, was traveling there and would arrive in the next day or two.

Stuart held out a chair for her and Cait lowered to sit next to Isobel and across from Lady Mariel.