Page 65 of The Eagle

“Is everything well?” Stuart asked.

“Perfectly fine,” the woman replied sliding a glance in Gideon’s direction.

With a bored expression, Gideon said, “Aye. Miss McLeary was just about to leave.”

“I cannot possibly,” the woman interjected, motioning to the window. “I must wait for the storm to pass. Sit with me, Gideon.”

When Gideon sat, Stuart walked out and went to Darach’s study. His brother was pacing but stopped at seeing him.

“Do ye know who the woman is in the parlor with Gideon?” Stuart asked. “I got the feeling she is up to something.”

Darach frowned. “I saw her walk past. She is a widow that I believe Gideon has been going off to meet with. When he stopped visiting, she came here.”

“Is our brother once again in a quandary?”

“Aye,” Darach replied. “She will be disappointed if she tries to force him to do anything.”

Feeling better at knowing Gideon was protected, Stuart hurried up the stairs in search of Cait. She was in the sitting room with another woman. She seemed familiar, one of the kitchen maids, if he remembered correctly.

“Mister Stuart.” The woman rose and curtsied. “May I fetch something for ye?”

He looked to the sideboard. “No thank ye, I will pour myself a brandy. If ye could please excuse us.”

“Of course.” The woman turned to Cait and smiled before walking out.

“Cora,” Cait said looking at him. “She is my companion now.”

He took his time pouring brandy into two small glasses while pondering what to say to her. She was composed now, but her gaze followed him.

“I went to the clearing in the woods.”

She tilted her head to the side. “Where?”

“The place where ye and I enjoyed time together. Do ye remember?”

Stuart held out the glass to her and she took it, their hands touching. Cait inhaled sharply.

“I do,” she said taking a dainty sip. “Ye should have ridden instead of walking.”

“I know that now,” he said lowering to sit next to her. “I was angry and needed time to think.”

She studied her glass. “I am glad ye returned relatively unscathed.”

“I saw a beautiful doe. She reminded me of ye.”

It was obvious she didn’t know what he’d say next by her questioning look. “How?”

“Innocent, delicate, and beautiful. Looking perfect as she walked through the trees, cautious of anything that crossed her path.”

“Our first conversation was out there,” Cait said. “Ye were chastising yer horse.”

“Aye, I remember.” He placed his hand on her forearm. “Cait I cannot express how much I regret hurting ye. Will ye forgive me?”

“I do understand that ye wished to make everything perfect at the house before I came. Yer family has reassured me and explained it. However, I feel as if I was not part of your life while ye were away. Ye have worked hard for a home for us but left me here alone for months. I had no idea what ye were doing.”

“There is so much I wish to share with ye.” Stuart waited for a moment. “I should have come for ye. I should have visited. I can become so very short sighted when working on something that is important to me.”

Turning toward him, she met his gaze. There was something in the way she looked at him that made him want to kiss her, hold her, and reassure her. However, he knew to tread lightly.