Page 12 of The Beast

“What?” Beatrice leaned forward. “She believed it then?”

“I could not very well tell yer mother, ye were lying.”

Her bottom lip disappeared when she bit it. “Oh, dear. Thank ye. Again, I apologize.”

Duncan nodded. “Now we must discuss how ye will return to Dún Láidir. Ye cannot go alone, and I do not have time to take ye.”

“I do not require an escort. I am an able rider. I will ride there directly. Do not bother yerself.”

The only plans he had was to work on the wall at the back of the property. Lifting and stacking the heavy stones not only kept him fit and strong, but also seemed to keep his mind away from dark things.

Not in the mood to travel to Keep Ross, he wondered if he should ask the stableman to escort Beatrice back.

“Would ye mind showing me about?” Beatrice asked. “This is a most beautiful home.”

If the minx was up to something, he did not detect it. She seemed genuinely interested in the house.

“Of course,” he said pushing his empty plate away.

They walked side-by-side from the main hall to the opposite side, where he showed her Caelan’s study and across the hall, a small parlor. Just down the corridor was two small bedchambers that were rarely used.

Next, he guided her up a stairwell where his and Caelan’s bedchambers were as well as a large room that their mother used when visiting. There was another guest room and a small chamber that could be used as a sitting room. Currently, there were only a pair of chairs in there.

Beatrice went to a window and peered out. “I find it interesting that ye do not live with a view of the sea. I do adore the views from the keep.”

It was best for him to not have such a view. The memories of time at sea were not ones he cherished. Unfortunately, many times his family business forced him to travel to other Isles, which meant going by bìrlinn. If he had his way, he would remain landside.

“I prefer the view of forests and land.”

Beatrice turned from the window and looked at a painting on the wall. It was a small depiction of a field. “Who did this? It is beautiful.”

“My mother.”

A wide smile spread over her pretty face almost making him smile in return. “I was not aware she was so talented.”

He looked at the painting, seeing it through her eyes. Flowers grew wildly in a field that had a cusp of trees in the distance. In the sky a pair of birds flew across the expanse, giving the illusion of unending space.

“Would ye like to see the outdoors?”

“I would,” Beatrice replied, tearing her eyes away from the painting.

He led her down the stairs and out the side door by the kitchens.

Gara and Firtha straightened, from their gardening, with shocked looks when seeing him with Beatrice. The housekeeper jumped to her feet and rushed to them. “I apologize Mister Duncan. I wasn’t aware there was a visitor. I will brew some tea…”

“Do not worry yerself,” Beatrice said with a soft smile. “I have already partaken of Mister Duncan’s ale.”

The housekeeper looked to Duncan. “Would ye like me to prepare a meal?”

“No, we are going for a short walk and then Miss Beatrice is leaving,” he replied.

The women remained still as statues, watching them as they walked away.

“Ye only have two servants?” Beatrice asked.

“There are two more. Creagh, a man who looks after the horses, and sometimes a lad comes and helps him.”

She looked up at him with curiosity. “I suppose ye and Caelan do not require much then?”