Page 25 of The Eagle

“I cannot stay here,” Cait said looking to the other woman. “I will go back to the room in the servant’s quarters. I do not understand why I am here.” She began to cry, and Stuart looked to the servant motioning for her to leave.

The woman nodded in understanding and walked out.

“Drink the tea, it will help ye feel better.”

Cait wasn’t sure what to do. Confused at the entire situation coupled with the throbbing pain made her want to kick and scream like a child and not really caring what anyone thought. Her head pounded and every single moment that passed seemed to increase the anxious feelings inside her chest.

When Stuart’s hand cupped her jaw, it was as if everything stopped whirling. The warmth of his hand seeped into her skin and she leaned into it, closing her eyes.

He must have knelt, because when he pulled her against him, they were at the same level. Pushing away all thought, she rested her head on his shoulder.

“When I am in pain,” he said in a low voice, “I force myself to drink whatever Greer concocts. It will be vile, but it always works.”

His lips pressed to her neck, just below her left ear sending out tingles of awareness. “I do not know what I feel for ye Cait. But I must admit that ye are always on my mind.”

The statement broke the spell and she attempted to straighten, but his arms tightened around her as he lifted her and carried her to the bed.

Cait’s breath caught. Surely, he did not mean to take advantage of her injury and have his way with her. She wasn’t sure she had the strength to do much more than continue crying.

Upon lowering her onto the soft bedding, he straightened and went back to fetch the cup that Cora had brought.

Holding it to her lips, he met her gaze. “Drink.”

She took a sip and cringed.

“I told ye it would be vile. ’Tis best to swallow it fast and do yer best to keep it down.”

Cait nodded and took the cup with her left hand. Because his gaze locked with hers, she barely noticed the horrible taste of the drink. Instead, she marveled at the fact that she—a mere servant—was getting so much attention from him.

“Now,” he said making Cait stiffen and wonder what would happen next. “I will kiss ye and leave ye to rest.”

True to his word, he bent down, pressed his lips to hers in a sweet lingering kiss, trailed kisses to her ear, then looked her in the eyes and order her to, “Rest.”

The door closed and she stared at it with fascination.

She slipped from the bed, slid her shoes on, and walked out. No matter how nice he was, she would maintain her dignity. It was not her place to have one of the guest rooms.

Cora caught sight of her when she stumbled groggily in the servant’s corridor. “What are ye doing? I thought ye to be sleeping by now.”

“I am seeking my bed,” she said stubbornly. “Mister Stuart feels responsible for my injury. Although it is partly true, there is no need to install me in a guest chamber.”

“Come along,” Cora said helping her walk to the small room that she kept at the keep. Once settled onto the slender bed, Cait fought to remain awake. “Be sure to come and fetch me so I can help as much as I can with last meal.”

When Cora left, Cait realized that Stuart’s kisses had distracted her from the pain. Thankfully Greer’s concoction was completing the task. And as her pain eased, her mind cleared, leaving her better able to decide what she needed to do.

One thing she knew for certain, she had to clarify things with Stuart. She had to make certain he understood that she could not leave her mother and younger brother on their own. They were her responsibility.

Of course, there was also the circumstances of their social stations. Although his family seemed to accept that there was the possibility of a relationship between them, Cait wasn’t so sure. Her being so far below him is what led her to believe that—despite his assurances it wasn’t true—he did not desire her for a relationship. He was just looking for a dalliance. And if she was right, she had to put a stop to any physical contact between them. Immediately.

Unfortunately, as her body continued to relax and her eyes drooped close her thoughts were filled with just how wonderful his kisses were.

The next morning, Stuart rose early to go to see about the western portion of Ross land as his brother had directed. He’d spent the majority of the last evening figuring a way out of his current predicament.

The entire idea of marriage as a way for clans to unite was one of the things he disliked about being part of the laird’s family. Thankfully his brother was giving him the choice of who he married. He could only hope it wouldn’t come to him having to marry someone else’s choice as part of his duties to the clan.

As he and four guardsmen mounted their horses and prepared to ride, Artair rode up. “I hear ye are not going to the southern post.” His cousin gave him a side glance before adding, “I am not going either.”

“Why?”