Page 13 of The Eagle

“The competition ended.” He didn’t look at them, instead appearing to be considering where to sit.

“Off we go,” Finella announced, and they hurriedly gathered the buckets and rags.

Greer wandered back in. “Good gracious, I do not believe to have seen the great room this clean in a long time.” She beamed at them. “Good work.”

Once again, they lined up for further instructions.

Lady Isobel and the laird’s mother, Lady Mariel entered. Both smiled widely at seeing the work that had been accomplished.

Lady Isobel looked to them. “Greer, keep the midday meal light. I believe most of the visitors will be eating outdoors.”

“I have trays prepared with bread, cheeses, and sliced cold duck my lady.”

“Delightful,” Lady Isobel said with a smile.

The women walked to the stairs to change clothing and Cait prepared to follow the others to the kitchen and empty the bucket she carried. Stuart stopped her with a touch to her arm. “Anton tells me ye have a brother who will soon be of age to squire.”

She wondered where Anton was so she could kick him in the kneecap. “I do not know what age squires should be. My brother Brice is ten and four.”

“Torac, is yer brother as well?”

That he knew so much about her made Cait nervous. “Aye. He is my half brother.”

“Torac is a good warrior. Ye should speak to him about…Brice.” The corners of his lips lifted just a bit. It was enough to make her gawk. How could a man be so handsome? “Perhaps yer brother is interested in work here at the keep.”

Swallowing past her dry throat, Cait nodded and then shook her head. “Mister Stuart if I may be frank. I am not sure what he wishes to do. He should choose his own path, do ye not agree?”

“Ye should ask him.”

When the man did not move, seeming to be considering what to say next. She glanced past him to see that Lady Isobel and Lady Mariel remained at the stairs and watched them with interest.

“I should see about my duties. Thank ye for taking interest in my brother.” Cait rounded him and all but ran from the great hall, doing her best not to splash dirty water from the sides of the bucket.

Hurrying past the kitchen, she exited outside to toss the dirty water out. “Hurry Cait, we need to get the trays ready,” Cora called blowing out a breath. “I will be glad when the visitors leave.”

“They do keep us busy.”

Cait did not look over her shoulder for fear Stuart Ross had followed her.

Chapter Four

Later that day, Laird Maclean held court in front of the large hearth in the great hall. Surrounded by other visitors, he took delight in telling stories to anyone who would listen. The day was ending, and it seemed the visiting laird had found every excuse to not talk with Darach.

Stuart walked to where the man sat with a local family. “Laird, my brother requests yer presence.”

“Aye, of course,” the man replied and with a wide grin addressed the others. “Duty calls.”

He walked alongside Stuart. “Are ye the only unwed brother?”

Stuart shook his head. “Gideon and Caelan are still unwed.”

“I see,” the man replied. “Ye are third-born, which means ye cannot aspire to much.”

The man had a way of saying things that made one want to hit him. But Stuart would not be baited. “I have all I aspire for. My brother is generous.”

“How so?” The laird gave him an unbelieving look. “Ye live here in the keep, I assume.”

Instead of replying, he motioned to the study. “After ye.” Laird Maclean made a condescending face as if to say: He knew he was right. Stuart had nothing to claim as his own.