Page 61 of The Eagle

“How fare ye, Stuart?” Isobel asked. “I did not get an opportunity to speak to ye last night.”

“Well,” he replied leaning closer to Cait to speak to his sister-in-law. “The bairn is to arrive soon I see.”

“Aye, but hopefully not until after the wedding.”

It was obvious Isobel was goading Stuart, however, it was Cait who could not keep her eyes from rounding. She looked everywhere except at him.

“I am hopeful that we can marry soon so that Cait can return with me to my lands and see all that I have done for her.”

Lady Mariel met Cait’s gaze before looking to her son. “I remember the houses there. The one in the village is lovely, but the one away from there is larger and better suited for a family, I believe.”

“Two houses?” Cait asked. “Why are there two houses?”

It was Stuart who replied. “Our great uncle preferred to live in the village, so he had a house built there. Our grandfather lived in the larger one outside the village.”

Lady Mariel nodded. “My husband’s father passed away a long time ago, so the house has remained empty for many years.” She looked at Stuart. “Does someone live in the one in the village?”

“A constable, who’d been given free rein for too long, lived there. He was cruel to the villagers, demanding taxes and doling out punishment. Artair is there now, as acting constable, until I can find someone who wishes to perform the task.”

“Why don’t ye do it? The lands are yers, the villagers yer responsibility. Ye are the area laird, Stuart,” Darach said. “The people there need help and encouragement. The village is quite large is it not?”

“Aye,” Stuart replied. “I would say about one hundred or so.”

Turning to Cait, Stuart looked at her. “I will let Cait decide where we live. Ye may prefer to be closer to the village or may find the country house with the larger gardens and livestock more to yer liking.”

Every eye on her, Cait felt trapped.

“I suppose it depends on how things go.”

“I want to marry ye. I feel the same for ye as when I left.”

“Then why did ye stay away?”

“I was preparing things for ye.”

“Did ye not consider I wanted to be part of that instead of sitting here waiting?”

His eyes narrowed and nostrils flared. “And ye do not care that I have fought so hard every day to ensure the house would be a place I would be proud to bring ye to?”

Cait huffed. “Ye could have come sooner.”

“Ye could have traveled there when my brothers came to visit.”

At a standoff, they kept eye contact, neither giving ground. Finally, Stuart stood and looked down at her. “Ye should not have to fight so hard to break our betrothal. I accept. It is broken.”

He stormed from the room leaving her surrounded by stunned people unsure of what to say.

Finally, Cait let out a breath she’d been holding.

“I will speak to him,” Darach said, then looked to Cait. “Are ye hurt? Or do ye not love my brother any longer? Because I will assure ye, Stuart continues to love ye dearly. He is heartbroken.”

“It is partly my fault. Perhaps I still cannot believe someone like him loves me?” Cait replied, wishing she could disappear.

The laird stood and walked out after his brother.

“I am not sure what to do.” Cait’s whisper was met with a long silence.

Isobel covered her hand with hers. “I do believe the best thing is for ye to give Stuart some time to calm.”