Page 76 of The Eagle

“I brought some ale and food for ye to break yer fast,” Cora announced. She walked in and quickly placed a tray on the table.

Thankfully she did not look toward the bed, but instead, turn and walked back out.

“It smells wonderful,” Cait said slipping from the bed. She tugged on a robe and went to sit next to the fireplace as Stuart added wood to it. It was strange to be alone with him for so long and at the same time she wondered how long it would be like this, so new and exciting.

He lowered to a chair and lifted a cup to drink. “What are ye thinking? Ye are so quiet.”

“It feels odd, to be alone with ye. I am so very happy right now.” She met his gaze and tingles traveled through her.

Stuart smiled. “I agree, it is different. Spending time alone together will ease us into our marriage.” He looked around. “Once we eat, what do ye wish to do?”

Cait giggled and looked to the bed. “We could sleep a bit.”

They slept until later in the day and once they woke, Stuart dressed and stood at the window. Cait brushed her hair while watching him in the mirror. “When do ye wish to return to… Do yer lands have a name?”

“Aye, Eilean Daes,” he responded with a wide smile. “Lovely Isle.”

“I like it. Yer mother says there is a huge loch nearby.”

“Loch Bee and a smaller one as well.”

“I wonder why Keep Ross was not built there?” Cait mused.

Stuart shrugged. “At one time, my great-grandfather and his brother split the isle. One living here and the other up there in the larger house.”

“Did ye ever live there while growing up?”

Her new husband shook his head. “No. My grandfather moved there eventually, giving lairdship over to my father. We visited on occasion.”

“Interesting,” Cait said.

Stuart stretched. “I never found out why my grandfather gave up lairdship. At times I wonder if my father had something to do with it.”

Cait had heard that the late laird was not well-liked and noted that the family rarely spoke about him. This was the first time Stuart mentioned him and she decided not to ask any more questions about him. “What should we do until last meal?” she asked.

Her husband turned from the window meeting her gaze. “I do not know.”

“What if we sneak out and go for a walk. It looks rather sunny outside.”

Stuart looked to the door, his lips curving. “We will be caught.”

“I find it hard to believe that as young lads ye and yer brothers did not have ways to escape without anyone seeing ye.”

His face brightened when a thought came.

“Come, I know a way to avoid the others.” He took her hand and they walked out of the room. Once in the corridor, Stuart guided her down to a dark corner. Then he pushed at what looked like a wall and it slid open.

“There may be some bad smells,” he warned, before pulling her into the darkness behind him. They crept down steps and he reached out for a torch. Moments later the flame lit their way.

“How did ye light it?” Cait wasn’t sure why she whispered.

“Flint,” he replied holding up a small stone. “It is kept here in case there’s need for a fast escape.”

Then moments later, the distinctive salty smell let her know they reached the sea. When Stuart opened a second door, they were in a small cave. He placed the torch into a holder as they no longer needed it and guided her past a pair of boats and out to the open field beside the house.

“I knew it,” Cait said with a smile. “I came here to the side of the house one day and saw the boats. I wondered if there was a hidden entrance into the house.”

“Who goes there!” a stern voice called out and moments later a pair of guards with swords drawn appeared. The men relaxed upon seeing it was Stuart.