The Eagle Page 5

  His brother’s countenance changed, there was a slight sneer on his upper lip when he spoke. “His death was not fast enough.”

  Despite the grim statement, or perhaps because of it, Duncan chuckled. “The bastard did enough damage to last several lifetimes.”

  The sound of voices neared and moments later Lennox Maclean walked in. He was devoid of all expression. It was as if a ghost of the man who’d walked into the study now stood before Darach.

  His gaze was flat, his face drawn. Letting out a breath, he neared and held out his hand. “I am returning to Skye. I cannot thank ye enough for everything.”

  Stuart and Duncan started to leave, but Darach stopped them. “I need for ye both to hear this.”

  “Join me for a moment.” Darach motioned to two chairs while Stuart poured Darach and Lennox a drink.

  His brother met Lennox’s gaze for a long moment. “Ye return in order to save someone from harm I take it.”

  Lennox nodded. “He gives me no choice. I fear he will mistreat others because of me. If I can ask one thing . . . Will ye allow the men to remain? It is not safe for them to return until after I am laird.”

  “They can remain,” Darach said without hesitation.

  “Who is in peril?” Stuart asked giving Lennox a glass of whiskey.

  “Our family is filled with many secrets. If I were to speak of one, it would be easy to continue to tell of more.” Lennox swallowed the amber liquid. “I must return and speak to my men. We leave in the morning.”

  “I took over this clan from a man whom I detested,” Darach began. “Thankfully, I have five brothers who have stood with me and given me the support I have needed throughout. Without them, I am not sure I would have succeeded. Speak to yer brother, ask him to be yer right hand.”

  “Liam is bitter,” Lennox said. “It is hard for him to accept his lack of any power.”

  “Then give him some,” Darach said. “Not only did I split the lands with my brothers, but each chose what they wanted to have as their primary duty. Ewan and Stuart are the best archers in the land. They are responsible for the recruitment, training, and command of our archers.”

  He motioned to Duncan. “Duncan takes my place as laird whenever I go away. If he does not stand in for me, then Stuart or Caelan does.”

  Lennox leaned forward ensuring to hear each word Darach said.

  “Our half brother, Caelan, shares our southern estate and lands with Duncan. He attended impressive schools in the lowlands and has a head for numbers. Caelan controls the finances and oversees the clan ledgers. Our youngest brother, Gideon, is still learning his way. For now, he is a scout and warrior.”

  “What stops any of them from attempting to take yer place as laird?” Lennox asked looking from Darach to Stuart and then to Duncan.

  His brother’s lips curved. “Each other, I suppose. If my brothers decided to oust me, I will have to presume it would be for good reason.”

  “I do not know if I have as much trust in my brothers. There is another, Lachlan, he is third-born.”

  “Yer parents had an affinity for the letter L?” Stuart asked.

  “It would seem,” Lennox replied with a soft smile. “We are each named after ancestors.”

  “Are ye sure to return then?” Darach asked.

  “Aye, I must. It is my duty to the clan,” Lennox replied. “My father has requested a meal in his bedchamber.”

  Darach motioned to Duncan. “My brother and I can spend some time after last meal with ye and answer any questions ye may have.”

  “I cannot thank ye enough. That ye do not resent that I did not divulge who I was makes me respect ye even more.”

  Chapter Five

  When the strap of her knapsack became uncomfortable, Cait moved it to her other shoulder, as she trudged through the forest toward home. Knowing she had a long walk home after her duties were completed, Greer always did her best to allow Cait to leave as soon as last meal was served.

  Fall was approaching and the weather was quite chilly that day. Pulling her shawl tighter around her shoulders, she quickened her pace, ready to be inside the warmth of home. But at the sound of leaves rustling, she froze and listened. The snorts of a boar made her blood run cold. She’d run into wild animals before on her daily treks to and from the keep, but thankfully never a boar.

  After a moment, except for the wind sifting through the trees, the woods were once again silent. Just as she decided it was safe to resume her walk home, a boar and her two piglets appeared in the path. Cait wasn’t sure what to do. If the animal considered her a threat to her young, she would not hesitate to attack. In hopes the animal would continue on its way, Cait took two steps sideways and stood behind a tree.

  Just then someone whistled a strange tune. One high shrill whistle followed by two short lower pitched ones. Whoever it was seemed to be in a good mood. Cait moved around the tree so now she was out of view from both the boar and whoever approached. This was turning out to be quite an annoying walk home.

  A horseman came into view. Whoever it was allowed his steed to meander at a leisurely pace. When he whistled again, she peeked around the tree. It was Stuart Ross.

  “Ugh,” he said, and she knew he’d seen the boar.

  “Go away Mother and take yer young with ye. I do not wish to hurt ye.”

  There were snorts from the boar’s direction. Obviously, the animal was not happy at the appearance of a horse.

  Stuart held his horse still and moments later the boar continued on. The piglets squealing as they trotted after their disgruntled mother.

  “I went to the kitchens to find ye and offer ye a ride to yer home. But Greer told me ye had already left,” Stuart called out.

  Cait came from behind the tree. “Thank ye, but I do not require it.” She did her best to keep her expression stern. Although, in truth, she was relieved that he’d scared the boar away. There was no telling how long she would have had to hide behind the tree before the animal decided to leave.

  “Many animals give birth during the late summer. Which means ye will have encounters with protective mothers all season. Ye should consider riding a horse home,” Stuart informed her.

  Crossing her arms, Cait gave him a blank look. “I do not have a horse, Mister Stuart. Furthermore, I have never ridden one.” She turned on her heel and began walking.

  Stuart dismounted and walked alongside, pulling his horse behind. “We must remedy that at once. Ye should have asked my brother for a horse. He would have given ye one.”

  “Yer brother gives away horses to anyone who asks?”

  He shook his head. “I meant the use of a horse. The animal would belong to our family. Unless ye bought it, or it was gifted to ye. I am not aware if he has given away horses. I shall ask him.”

  “Why would ye and yer brother offer a horse for me to ride?” Cait was incredulous. The more she spoke to Stuart, the more confused she became over what to think of the Ross family. Did they treat all the servants so kindly? She recalled that Lady Isobel often spent time in the kitchen with Greer. Both Lady Isobel and Lady Mariel’s companions spent time with the family and not the servants.

  However, this was totally different. Had Stuart followed her?

  “Ye confuse me,” she finally replied. “Why are ye here?” She scanned the woods realizing they were alone and if the man decided to have his way with her, there was little she could do. At the same time, there was something about him that made her feel at ease. It was as if instinctively she knew he would not hurt her.

  “I do not mean to. What if I give ye lessons?”

  “What?”

  “I can teach ye to ride a horse.”

  “I do not wish to be up so high on an animal on my own.”

  “’Tis easy.”

  Cait blew out a breath. “I appreciate yer offer but must refuse it.”

  “Come. Let us ride to yer home. We can discuss this another day.” He took her arm and guided her over to his now still horse then lifte
d her up into the saddle. After settling Cait, he deftly mounted and with arms on both sides of her, he took the reins and maneuvered the horse forward.

  Astride the horse, she ensured her skirts covered her legs. It felt strange to be up so high from the ground and she didn’t quite care for it.

  “I have no idea where ye live, so ye will have to tell me,” Stuart said, his mouth much too close to her ear. “Here, take the reins.” He placed the leather straps into her hands, then put his hands over hers so she could see how he guided the horse. After a while, he released her hands and allowed her to guide the horse alone.

  “Ye are assisting with yer legs are ye not?” Cait asked. It was a strange feeling to be sitting so close to him; her backside between his open legs touching the most private part of him. At the same time, he continued to put her at ease. He didn’t try to pull her closer and somehow managed to keep from touching her.

  “I am,” he replied. “That will be a lesson I can only give ye when ye are on the horse by yerself.”

  She gave up trying to explain that she had no intention of ever learning to ride a horse.

  When she motioned to the small cottage that was her home, he took the reins and guided the horse the rest of the way. Upon arriving, both his mother and brother hurried out. Her mother looked up at them with eyes wide with worry.

  “Is something wrong? Were ye injured?”

  “Nothing is wrong,” Cait replied suddenly unsure what to do.

  Stuart dismounted and helped her down. He went to her mother. “I am Stuart Ross. There are many wild boars with young in the woods right now, so I ensured yer daughter did not come to any harm.”

  “I see,” her mother had lowered into a slight curtsy upon him divulging who he was. But now looked at him with distrust. “Her half brother should feel obligated to see to her safety.”

  “Torac barely speaks to me,” Cait said. “I assured Mister Stuart that I am perfectly capable of traveling back and forth on my own.”

  Brice walked closer, his young face stern. “I can walk her to the keep and then meet her upon the end of her day to walk her back home.”

  “A horse can be supplied for Cait to travel back and forth. Once she leans to ride, it will make things easier,” Stuart insisted giving her a pointed look.

  “We cannot afford to feed and care for the laird’s horse,” her mother said with a worried expression. “Mister Stuart, ye must understand . . . we have meager means. Cait provides what we have.”

  Cait wanted to tell her mother to stop speaking, but she bit her bottom lip. It wasn’t as if her mother lied.

  “That is true, we could not afford the feed. I do thank ye for the offer; however, as I said before, I must decline,” Cait told him.

  “I am sure something can be done to keep ye from harm.” He looked to the cottage and then met her brother’s gaze. “Ye do good work. The cottage looks much better than the last time I saw it.”

  Her brother beamed with pride. The two walked to the back so that Brice could show Stuart where he was adding a room.

  “What is he expecting in return for all of this attention?” her mother whispered. “Did he make any untoward advances?”

  Cait shook her head. “No, Mother. I would have jumped from the horse, and we would have left immediately if something like that had happened.”

  Her mother gave her a sad look. “And where would we go child?”

  “I would find a way for us,” Cait replied with much more resolution than she felt. The resignation in her mother’s face told her that if one of the Ross brothers ever decided to take her, it would probably be something she’d not have any choice but to accept.

  “I am assured more and more each day that they are good and decent people,” she finally said as Stuart came from behind the house.

  He gave them a nod, then mounted and rode away. Once again whistling the strange two tones.

  Turning away and heading for the house, she and her mother went straight to the kitchen. From the knapsack, she took out the leftover duck and a pair of turnips she’d taken from the garden with Greer’s permission. After chopping the turnips and the duck meat, it was all put into a pot of water boiling over the fire. Along with bread her mother had baked earlier in the day, it would be a simple meal as always, but thankfully, they’d be quite full.

  The next morning Cait did not go to the keep. Greer had given her two days’ rest, which she was extremely grateful for. There was clothing to mend and wash, and she wanted to spend some time taking in a dress and underskirts that she’d gotten when Lady Ross had offered a pile of clothes for the maids to choose from.

  Her mother studied her while she swept the floors. “If ye married, then I would have less to worry about.”

  Cait stopped mid-sweep. “Who would ye have me marry Mother?”

  “I know there are plenty of guardsmen at the keep. One or two have surely taken yer attention.”

  In truth, she’d been much too busy to pay attention to any men. Between her duties in the kitchen and serving in the great hall—not to mention her long treks back and forth from home to the keep to home again—there was little time for frivolity.

  She’d never admit to her mother how tired she was most days and what little amount of time there was to even consider things like courtship. There was a maid or two that she’d noted had relationships, but she’d not been at the keep long enough to keep up with who was with whom.

  “Consider it,” her mother continued. “Then ye and he could ride home together and the men at the keep would stay at arm’s length. Even the roguish ones will stay away from a married lass. Ye are much too pretty not to be protected.”

  Cait laughed. “Truly Mother, ye should not fret over it. We will be well. I have two brothers to ensure it.”

  “Once we save enough for a mule and I build a cart, I can take ye to the keep in the mornings and retrieve ye after,” Brice interjected. “Though I do hope we get a horse,” he added wistfully.

  Their mother gave him a pointed look. “Do not go making such plans,” she said. “We cannot possibly accept it. How would we feed it?”

  “It is true, we cannot accept such a gift,” Cait interjected. “I am truly sorry Brice, I know ye wish to work. Ye are too young to seek labor yet. We need ye here for now.”

  Her brother shrugged good-naturedly. “I have plenty to keep me busy here.”

  She considered her conversation with Stuart Ross about her brother. “What would ye like to do one day. If given the choice?”

  “Work in the stables. And one day have my own corral full of horses,” Brice replied without hesitation. “Ye could accept the horse. I will find ways to feed it. I wish to learn about them.”

  When he gave her one of his wistful looks, it was hard to resist. “Perhaps when ye get older, ye can work at the stables. Then we can ask to live at the keep.” Changing the subject, she smiled at him. “For now, I’ll see if I can borrow a cart and mule so we can venture to the village.”

  That brightened her mother and her brother, who both gave her thankful looks.

  The next two days flew past. She accomplished everything and was prepared to return to work, well rested. It was Greer’s habit to give servants a few days off every other month, to keep them from growing weary. Other than that, they could take a day off every fortnight.

  On the day she was to return to work she was already heading through the woods towards the keep at sunrise. Aware of the breeding animals, she was careful to keep her attention sharp as to not miss any sounds or sights.

  At the sound of the two-toned whistle, she blew out a breath. The man was relentless. Why was Stuart Ross so intent on seeking her out? If as he said, he had no intention of anything untoward.

  Moments later, the huge warhorse appeared through the trees. With a quiver of arrows strapped to his broad back and dark hair flying across his face, he looked like a god descended from the clouds. A god of war and destruction.

  “Ah, there ye are,”
he said in a pleasant tone as if she should have been expecting him. “I came to fetch ye for work. Greer is most put out this morning as Finella is not feeling well and Cora is nowhere to be found.”

  Cora was in a relationship with one of the guardsmen. However, Cait was not about to say anything about it.

  “Did Greer ask ye to seek me out?” Cait asked allowing herself to be hoisted up to sit on the horse.

  He shook his head. “I told her I was going hunting and that I might run into ye. She then asked if I didn’t mind hurrying ye along if I did see ye.”

  “Actually, I am glad to have a moment to speak to ye,” Cait started in a tone she hoped conveyed assurance. “Please do not insist on treating me differently than the other servants. I do not wish to be singled out. It could lead to talk that would be most unkind.”

  “I have something to show ye when we get to the keep.”

  “Impossible,” Cait argued. “As ye yerself intimated, Greer needs me immediately.”

  He shrugged and she realized she was leaning her shoulder on him. Cait immediately straightened putting space between them.

  The feel of his body against hers made Cait’s heart speed and she soon found it was becoming hard to breathe normally.

  “Is something wrong?” Stuart asked, which both annoyed and angered her. It would be so embarrassing to feel the way she did about a man so above her station. That he paid her attention made it even worse. To allow her heart hope was both cruel and sobering.

  Stuart pulled the horse to a stop and dismounted. “Come,” he said holding his arms out. “Whatever is wrong, ye need to relax a bit.”

  Cait blew out a breath and closed her eyes. “I should walk the rest of the way.”

  When he helped her down Stuart held her still, his eyes on her face assessing if she was unwell.

  To her horror, he closed the distance between them and pressed his lips to hers. To make matters worse, she clung to his shoulders letting out a sigh when the kiss deepened.

  The kiss was like nothing she ever imagined. His mouth exploring hers: suckling, teasing, tasting. Responding with like motions, her hands slid up from his shoulders to his strong jaw.