Page 20 of The Eagle

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.

“I have wanted to kiss ye since the first time I saw ye,” he murmured between kisses.

With one last press against her lips, he straightened and smiled down at her. “Do ye feel better?”

Worse. She felt worse.

“We…we should not have done that.”

“I think we should have,” he replied lifting her back onto the horse.

Her mind raced in all directions as they neared the keep. What had she done? Why had she responded with so much enthusiasm?

She closed her eyes, grateful to have her back to him. Did this mean he would expect more from her? Her body perhaps. She swallowed at the thought of what to do next.

“Stop thinking,” he murmured. “It was a kiss, that is all. I have no expectations from ye.”

Cait blew out a breath. “Good.”

“Ye wound my heart,” he replied good-naturedly and despite all the trepidations, Cait smiled. Stuart Ross was a most perplexing man.