Page 8 of The Beast

Most village women had a say in who they’d marry and form a family with. There was the occasional father who would orchestrate an agreement for benefit, but for the most part, it wasn’t so.

Upon noting a couple sitting together talking, the young woman blushing at something the man said, Beatrice felt a pang of sadness that she’d never experience the simple act of getting to know someone just because.

“Here comes Gideon,” Ella said looking around as if considering hiding from her brother. “I hope he does not insist we leave so soon.”

Upon reaching them, Gideon sat and looked across the square. Beatrice studied his profile. He had dark brown hair, an aristocratic nose, and a strong chin. And like his brothers, he was tall and quite handsome. Many women watched him, but he seemed oblivious.

Beatrice suspected he was fully aware that by walking across the square and sitting with her and Ella, he’d attract attention.

And not just that of the women, but also as a warning to any man who considered approaching them.

The hours flew by. They’d danced and laughed and strolled around the square. One man had actually spoken to Ella, which made them both giddy with excitement.

By the time they decided to head back to Keep Ross, the sun was setting and most of the revelers had headed to their homes. The only ones who remained were people who had enbibed too much ale.

“It was quite an enjoyable way to spend the day,” Beatrice said to Ella as they settled into the carriage. “I do not believe I’ve ever spent so much time at a festival before.”

Ella grinned. “We always spend the entire day. Gideon and I. Sometimes we drag Mother along.”

“What of Duncan? Do ye and he do anything together?”

There was an instant change to Ella’s expression. Something akin to sadness. “No, Duncan does not like crowds or large gatherings for that matter.”

“What does he do with all his time?”

Her friend met Beatrice’s gaze for a moment. “My brother is a kind and noble man… he is a loner, and it is something we have all come to accept.”

It was obvious that Ella changed midsentence what she was going to say. If Duncan had secrets that only his family knew, then Beatrice accepted they needed no reason not to share them with her.

She was anxious to ask what the man in the village had said to Ella, but she dared not ask in front of Gideon. The topic would have to wait until they were alone.

Upon returning to the keep, Beatrice realized that the Ross men had not returned yet from North Uist. She was both disappointed and glad.

One more night of not knowing what her mother’s response to her letter was a bit of an annoyance; however, it was best she get a good night’s rest because the next day, Duncan and Stuart would surely return.

The screams of gulls woke Beatrice. She sat up in the bed and blinked at the bright sunlight entering through the window. She must have slept in quite late by the tray of food that was set on a table by the fireplace.

After a long day at the festival, she’d been exhausted. Slipping from the bed, she hurried to the window. Although it was a distance away, it would be possible to spot if the Ross men had returned.

There was activity at the seashore. Horses and men meandered. There was a line of bìrlinns that had not been there the day before.

Duncan and Stuart must have returned.

Leaning forward and squinting, Beatrice did her best to see who mounted on horses, but it was hard to tell. However, it was obvious her mother did not travel with them as there was no carriage and her mother would not ride astride.

Beatrice let out a long sigh and turned away. She dressed hurriedly, wishing to head downstairs in order to find out what news they brought back.

A maid, Orla, hurried in and looked first to her and then the tray. “Ye did not eat yet miss. The food will be cold.”

“I just now woke. Thank ye for bringing it. I will eat a bit later. For now, I must dress.”

Orla had been assigned to her since Annis, her former maid now concentrated exclusively on Isobel. Her sister had taken Annis to Barra with her, so it left Beatrice to do for herself.

“Which dress would ye like?”

Beatrice eyed all the pastel gowns, they felt so out of place there at Keep Ross, where Ella and her mother, Lady Mariel, preferred earth tones.

“The green,” she said and removed her nightdress.