The Eagle by Hildie McQueen

Chapter Fourteen

Cait looked up from her embroidery when her mother walked into the parlor. Each time she saw her mother, Clara, now, she was struck at the difference. Not only had her health improved dramatically, but in clothes of better quality, she looked every bit a lady.

“I was searching for ye,” her mother said settling into a chair, her face automatically looking out to the view. “Ye have kept to yerself for a few days now. Lady Mariel is worried.”

For a moment, she considered her words. “I do not belong here, Mother. Stuart is not going to return. What will happen to us then?”

“Ye worry overmuch,” her mother protested. “In the last message, Stuart informed ye of how much there was still to do. It is obvious he has been delayed.”

Cait shook her head. “Already the entire season has passed. Winter has set in and with it comes the rainy season making travel difficult.”

To ignore the silence, she began embroidering again. It was a simple design that Lady Mariel had taught her. Dainty flowers and leaves, in a chain pattern. As well as embroidery, a tutor had been hired to teach her to read and write. She’d taken to both quickly, soaking in as much as she could on the chance she’d be forced to leave and start anew.

Knowing how to read and write would make it possible for her to hire on as a governess or assist in running a household. She’d shadowed both Lady Mariel and Lady Isobel, watching and learning every single aspect of running a keep. Although she wasn’t sure how large the home Stuart owned was, she would be prepared to ensure everything would be taken care of.

Already weeks had passed since the last time a missive had come from him. His brothers, Duncan and Gideon, had both visited and returned with news of the progress being made on the lands and home.

Each time they’d brought a letter for her. In each letter, Stuart wrote of what he did, promised to return soon so they could marry, and then explained all the work yet to be done.

“If the house is ready, there is only one reason for him not to return for me Mother.” Cait finally put into words the fear that had filled her in the last days. “He’s changed his mind and hopes I realize it and grant him his freedom.”

“Nonsense,” her mother said. “He was visibly smitten with ye.”

“He has been gone longer than the time we’ve spent together. I sincerely doubt he misses me. How can he?”

Her mother took her in. “Is it ye that has had a change of heart?”

Cait met her mother’s eyes. “Honestly? Yes. I am beginning to question my feelings. I have not seen him, have only had letters…” Her breath caught, a dark sensation gripped her chest. “Father promised to return. He lied to us. Never returned.” She had to take a deep breath and wiped an errant tear. “Do you not see Mother?”

“Ye have his family’s support. He proposed to ye and announced it to the entire family including his brother, the laird.” Her mother’s eyes shined with unshed tears. “He is not yer father. Stuart Ross will not step back from his responsibility to ye.”

“And yet he has Mother. He can take years and not return for me. No one can chastise him for it, as the only duty he has is to provide for me and that he has done.”

Her mother balked, “Then ye should take matters in hand and travel to see him. Clear things up in yer mind. Sitting here worrying will only make ye more and more bitter.”

“I am not bitter,” Cait argued.

“Ye certainly are not sweet,” her mother replied with a soft smile.

Just then Cora walked in. “The midday meal is ready.”

Walking into thedining room with her mother made Cait think back to when she and Stuart had entered to announce their engagement and how awkward it had been.

Now it was an everyday occurrence. The simple midday meal of cheese, bread, and fruit was often a time when they would talk of plans for the following day.

Most times, the men did not attend and instead ate in the great hall while listening to clan grievances.

This time, however, Gideon and Caelan were there.

“Since Ewan has returned and is here to sit with Darach, I have excused myself to enjoy time with ye,” Caelan told Lady Mariel.

Despite the fact his own mother lived not too far away, Caelan and Lady Mariel had a close relationship and he carved out time to spend with her.

“How are ye feeling?” Lady Mariel asked him, touching his cheek. “Ye are cool to the touch.”

Caelan had recently been abed for over a week. The healer was not sure what illness it was, but he’d been feverish and without appetite. The handsome man looked well recovered now.

“Would ye like to go visit Beatrice with me tomorrow?” Isobel asked Cait. “We can stop at the village on the way there.”

“Aye, I would enjoy it. Thank ye.”

“Ye have to stop thanking me for everything,” Isobel said with a light chuckle.

Cait let out a breath. It was time she told them her thoughts. “Ye are all so kind to me, and I will be forever grateful. I must admit to feeling as if I may never truly come to be a member of the family.”

“I agree, my son has been gone overlong. But I know Stuart and he will do as he promised,” Lady Mariel said and then looked to Caelan. “Do ye not agree that yer brother will return soon?”

“Knowing Stuart, he wants everything to be perfect before ye arrive to live there. If someone does not go and fetch him with a warning ye are changing yer mind, he will continue doing this and that, never fully satisfied.”

“Cait is not changing her mind. She is worried however that he may have,” her mother interjected in a soft voice.

“He has not,” Lady Mariel assured them.

“Someone needs to go fetch him,” Gideon said lowering his cup. “I can go.”

“I will go,” Caelan said. “Ye just returned from yer last trip.”

Lady Mariel placed both hands on the table and looked to everyone there. “I do not care who goes, but someone must go and fetch Stuart. He has been gone too long.”

Cait’s eyes widened at the stir she’d caused. “I do not mean to cause discord.”

“Ye are not,” Isobel said patting her hand. “Despite their sense of honor and such, Ross men seem inclined to make ridiculous mistakes.”

“Let us go speak to Darach, he will have to say who goes,” Caelan said standing. Then as the brothers walked out, Gideon winked at her.

“When it’s his turn, he may not be so jovial about it,” Lady Mariel murmured shaking her head as she followed her youngest’s progress.

“Now,” Isobel said. “We should prepare for a wedding.”

“Visit yer sister as planned. The day after tomorrow, we will go to the village and procure whatever is needed to decorate.” Lady Mariel gave Cait an accessing look. “We may have to summon the seamstress. Ye have lost weight since yer wedding dress was made.”

Annis, Isobel’s companion, and Cora entered and joined in the conversation, along with Cait’s mother. Everything that would be required for the wedding festivities was discussed, from food and drink to décor. It seemed with the two recent weddings, the women of Keep Ross had matters well in hand.

As the conversations whirled around Cait, she did her best to grasp the reality of the situation. Was she willing to marry a man who had to be fetched?

She held up a hand and everyone stopped speaking to look at her.

“If Stuart shows any inkling that he does not wish to be married, I will not force him into it. Perhaps we should wait until his arrival to make any preparations. I do not wish for ye to go to any more trouble for a wedding that may not take place.”

“A rider cameand Darach says he has a message for ye,” Cora said entering Cait’s bedchamber.

Despite Stuart’s last written missive claiming his assurance of wishing to marry her, Cait could not help the sense of dread. Why had Darach not sent the letter with Cora?

“What do ye suppose it is? Usually, it is a written missive that he could have asked ye to give me.”

Cora shrugged. “It is strange.”

Taking her friend’s hand, Cait made her way down the corridor and down the stairs to find the laird. He was in the great room, along with Caelan and Ewan, who didn’t pay her much mind as she neared.

“Ah, there ye are,” Darach said motioning for her to come closer. “The guard has a message for ye and Mother.”

The sense of dread grew stronger. All Cait could think about was her mother and brother and what would happen if she had to leave.

A gruff guard stood with Lady Mariel next to the high board and Cait walked to them, still grasping Cora’s hand. Neither the guard nor Lady Mariel seemed discomfited by Cora’s presence.

“Mister Stuart requests that ye come to visit his home and perhaps remain for winter season.”

Lady Mariel frowned. “They are not married yet. I suppose I can chaperone, but I cannot be gone for an entire season. Isobel will be having her child soon.”

“Did he mention anything about our wedding?” Cait asked.

The guard glanced to the laird and then shook his head. “No Miss, he did not.”

Lacy Mariel huffed and shook her head. “Someone must go fetch him immediately. Did he fall and bump his head?”

Cait let out a long breath. “When ye return please tell him I will not travel and live there without being married first. Perhaps it is best that we pretend the engagement never happened.” She took the pin Stuart had given her and held it out to the guard. “Please give him this.”

“Oh dear,” Lady Mariel said turning to look in the direction of the laird. “Cait, ye should reconsider.”

She met the caring woman’s gaze. “What would ye do in my place? He asks that I come there and does not mention coming back to marry me. Tell me honestly.”

Lady Mariel sighed. A look of resignation on her face. “Exactly what ye are doing.”

“I only ask that ye allow me some time to see about my family before we leave.”

“Do not be ridiculous. We will discuss the situation and decide what is best. I am disappointed in Stuart and unsure what he is thinking.”

In front of the hearth, Catriona and Isobel sat with the children. Isobel was expecting her first child and spent a great deal of time with Catriona’s children. Darach was insistent that she remain close. Not wishing to upset him, she spent most days at the keep. Although, she did escape every so often to the village or to visit Beatrice.

Both women looked up when Lady Mariel approached with Cait in tow. “Stuart is not coming. He sent a message asking that Cait go there instead. Of course, if she went, I would have to go as well.”

Isobel’s eyes widened. “Ye cannot. I do not wish to be alone until Mother comes.”

“Of course, we said no,” Lady Mariel replied with a frown. “Honestly, I do not know what has gotten into him. Whoever goes, whether Caelan or Gideon, will have a stern message from me.”

“I am sure there is much to do there. Ewan told me the land was overgrown and the locals are reluctant to help. There is the matter of village constable…”

“Ye know more than I do,” Cait interrupted Lady Mariel. “I have no idea what is happening. His letters are short only details of the house, rarely of anything else.”

Isobel held out her hand. “Cait, there will be a wedding. Ye will remain here with us.”

“I do not wish to hold him to his word if he has changed his mind,” Cait replied with conviction and then lowered her voice in hopes her mother was not within earshot. “I ask that ye help me secure a position somewhere else. I cannot remain here.”

Catriona smiled widely. “If it comes to be that ye need a position—which I hope it doesn’t—then ye can be a governess to my bairns. I am already expecting a third.”

Relief flooded her and Cait could not help it. Tears overflowed and she sniffed loudly. “Thank ye so much. All of ye have been so very kind to me and my family.”

The men must have noticed her crying because Ewan came to them. “Is something wrong?”

His mother gave him a patient look. “Nothing is wrong. We are reassuring Cait that even if there is no wedding, she will have a place with our clan.”

“Why will there not be a wedding?” Ewan gawked at Cait. “What happened?”

Lady Mariel pulled him away to explain about the message, and about Cait returning Stuart’s crest. Cait took advantage, taking out a handkerchief to wipe her eyes.

Isobel reached for her hand. “Let us wait until after whoever goes returns before we make any permanent changes. I am hopeful Stuart will see reason after receiving yer message.”

Cait wasn’t so sure. Despite the fact she’d fallen in love with Stuart, resentment was taking up a bigger and bigger space in her heart.