by Ria Cantrell
“Suffice it to say, Lass, that the right person will restore it to its glory of bygone eras. I think ye’ to be that person.”
“It is restored, beautifully, I might add.”
“Aye in façade, perhaps. But ye’ will restore the proper spirit to the place. I see that now.”
With a glimmer in her eye, Kiera wistfully said, “Okay, Duncan.”
Then shaking her head with a soft little laugh, she said, “You old Scotsman…for all the bluster, you are quite sentimental.”
He gave a little snort-like “huff” at her words, but she was right. He was sentimental when it came to Castle Campbell. Even Guardians could be sentimental about their hearth and kin. He had been a powerful Laird, in his heyday, and few would have dared to call him a sentimental old fool, but somehow, coming from this lass, it did not frost him the way it probably would have back in the day.
“Are ye’ headin’ over there today?”
“Yes. There is a wedding but I will try to stay out of the way. I just want to explore some more and maybe take some of my things to my apartments. Would you like to come with me?”
A strange expression clouded the old man’s eyes and he said, “Nay lass, not today. It would be best if ye’ make yer’ acquaintances there without me fer now.”
“You’re sure? I mean I think I would like to see the place through your eyes.”
“There will be plenty of time fer that, girl. Nay, go on ahead. When ye’ have settled, I am sure we can spend some time there together.”
How odd! Kiera thought Duncan would have jumped at the chance to visit the Keep with her. Instead, he seemed unsettled by her invitation. His change in demeanor had not gone unnoticed and she wondered at it. She tried to chalk it up to Duncan just being an eccentric old bird, but something pulled at her subconscious mind and told her it was something much more profound.
Gavin could not go to the Keep just yet. Derek would sense his energy and that could be a recipe for disaster. Morag had taken a big chance going there with the girl on the previous day. If his grandson sensed they were setting things in motion, there was no telling what would happen. No, this had to happen naturally or all efforts would have been wasted and Derek would be doomed to an eternity of nothingness. Unfortunately, the girl would have to rely on her own smarts and wits for now. Certainly, if there was real or imminent danger, Gavin would forsake the course and save the girl from his grandson, but for now, he needed to keep his distance from Castle Campbell.
Kiera finished her breakfast and rose. Patting Duncan’s hand, she said, “Well, I am going to take a walk there now. If you change your mind, let me know and we can go together. I am just going to get one of my bags to bring along.”
“Nay, lassie. Enjoy yer’ time there. I suspect I will see ye’ tonight.”
“Maybe. I think I might try to settle in after the banquet is cleared.”
Gavin sighed. “Just be careful, Lass. Dunna’ stay if ye’ dunna’ feel safe.”
With a wink, Kiera replied, “Well since I won’t have a braw Scotsman to protect me, I shall have to be verra’ brave and tough it out.”
With a crooked grin, Gavin replied, “Snippy little thing, ye’ are. Good…a lass with spunk is just what the place needs.”
After taking her plate and mug to the kitchen, Kiera grabbed some clothes and stuffed them into one of her bags. She did not want to take too much, because she preferred to walk the couple of miles to the keep rather than be driven. Besides, Duncan was acting so strangely, she did not want to ask him to give her a lift there. Although it was a summer day, it was cool enough for a walk. Kiera even thought that perhaps she might need a light jacket or sweater and so after she pulled her favorite blue angora sweater over her straight legged jeans, she was ready to spend her day exploring her new surroundings. She would drop her bag up to her apartments and then try to make herself useful to the wedding crew. If they did not need her help, she would take herself to the grounds to explore things on her own.
Chapter 17
Kiera enjoyed her walk down the country road toward the Keep. She reveled in the soft cool breeze that lifted her hair from her neck, causing it to rise against her cheek like the brush of a feather. The scents of the freshly mown hay and grass mixed with the tangy aroma of fallen pine needles. Kiera took the scenic lane that was not paved in asphalt, but was instead packed soil that was as hard as modern roads from years of use. Kiera liked the feel of the solid earth beneath the soles of her feet. It helped her shake some of the unease she seemed to always feel after talking with Duncan. She suspected he liked to present things in the most dramatic of ways. She vaguely remembered her own grandfather being that way too. It must be a cultural thing, she thought as she continued to follow the road down to the castle.
She passed pastures where lambs were grazing next to their ewes and sometimes she could hear the soft little bleats from the precious wooly things as they wandered away from their mothers, only to want to find them again. It was such a wonderfully serene image, like that of a painting from a forgotten time. As she neared the castle, Kiera shifted her bag against her hip. The walk had certainly warmed her from any cool breeze that may have momentarily chilled her.
As she approached the castle, she could already see the many guests milling about waiting for the wedding ceremony to begin. There were flowers lining a makeshift aisle on the grassy knoll along side of the imposing castle. Kiera slipped out of sight and retreated to the opposite entrance where the caterers were unpacking their vans. She followed them into the kitchens and she was immediately assailed with the bustle of activity that flourished inside. It seemed so out of place for the Keep, but she imagined that these type of events helped pay the way for the staff for the rest of the year. Certainly the tours and staying guests helped, but Kiera knew that weddings drew in the bigger funds to run a place like this. Sneaking past the cooks and waiters, Kiera found the back stairs leading up to the apartments upstairs. She had not taken this route before on her brief tour the previous evening, but she supposed eventually she would find herself in the right place.
The corridor from the stone stairs was dimly lit and Kiera felt the drafty air cool against her heated skin. She felt a little chill prickle her arms as she struggled to see in the ever dimming light. She should have sought the main staircase but she did not want to be in the way or to get scolded for being there. The higher she climbed, the darker it seemed to get. Taking a deep breath, Kiera steeled herself and pushed onward, now feeling along the walls to help keep her balance. The steps seemed to spiral and she wondered if she was in some sort of tower. She pressed onward in anticipation. Could this be the tower of her dreams? Perhaps it was actually part of the main Keep after all. Just as she was thinking this thought with hope, she came to a door. She thought it may be locked after all, so she pushed with all her might, just in case. It was not locked and she nearly tumbled into the hallway leading to the guest suites. A man in a tuxedo rushed to her side and helped her up off the floor.
“Miss, are ye’ alright?”
Blush flooded her face as she stood up with the help of the man’s arm. “Oh, I am fine. I took the wrong stairs and thought the door would be locked.” He smiled and said, “Well where were ye’ tryin’ to go?”
“To the private apartments. I will be staying there. I did not mean to intrude on your event.”
“Oh, ye’ must be the new caretaker and tour guide. I am Joel. My buddy is getting married so a bunch of us are staying in the guest wing.”
“I must apologize. I did not mean to disturb your celebration.”
“Not at all. I think ye’ll be needin’ to go the down to the opposite side of the hall and turn left. The private residences are off limits to us, but I thought I saw a sign on the door heading that way. Do ye’ want me to walk ye’ there?”
“Oh, no that won’t be necessary. Thank you so much for your assistance.”
“That door is locked, miss.”
“Oh, that’
s alright. I do have the key.”
“Good, then ye’ won’t be tumbling through.”
With a boyish wink, the groomsman left her and she followed his instruction to find the way. It was exactly as he had said. She guessed it was too tempting to not explore, so she didn’t blame him. She pulled the keys from her bag. Moira had given them to her after their walk last night. There were modern keys for many of the locks, but her lock was one of those old iron keys. Skeleton keys, she thought they were called. How appropriate! As Kiera fussed it into the lock, after a few tries, the lock on the door gave and she had access to her apartments. Flicking on the switch closest to the door, Kiera once again was amazed that this place was going to be her home for the next few months at least. Tossing her bag on the table at the entry, Kiera walked into the sitting area. She stopped dead in her tracks. There was a man lounging in one of the chairs, with his legs casually draped over one of the arms. Kiera started when she saw him, but then said, “I beg your pardon. I didn’t realize anyone would be using these rooms.”
He must have been one of the groomsmen, only he was dressed in a plaid and a period looking tunic. Kiera thought that perhaps he was the groom who was going for a traditional Scottish look and that perhaps she was not supposed to take access to the keep until the wedding was done.
The man turned and looked at her. He seemed as startled as she was. She again stammered her apologies and started to walk backwards toward the door.
The man spoke, but it was not in a language she could understand. She thought it was Gaelic, but it seemed very unfamiliar, like it was a different form of any Gaelic she had ever heard. She did not know enough about the language but hearing him speak it caused a queer feeling to rise inside of her. Something was amiss. She was certain he wasn’t supposed to be there. She suddenly wanted to run from the rooms, but she was pinned to her spot like an insect caught in a spider’s web.
The man stood. He was like a giant. His stature was equal to the breadth of his shoulders, which were massive. He started to walk toward her and she stammered, “P-please. I did not mean to intrude.”
“Ye’ can see me?”
This time she understood him. What did he mean by that?
“Of course I can. Is this some sort of joke? I know; Moira and Duncan put you up to this to scare me.”
She knew she was rambling, but she did not want to give into fear. Where had she seen him before? He looked like one of those guys who did that historical re-enactment; like she had been told stayed at the keep on occasion and boy did he take his hobby seriously. His shirt was laced with a leather thong that crisscrossed below his neck over an expansive chest. His kilt hung low on his narrow hips and barely reached the tops of his very muscular thighs. Boots, which looked like something from Braveheart, covered his feet and his calves seemed to strain inside them as he moved slowly closer to her. His hair hung past his shoulders…his very broad shoulders and Kiera knew she should be more afraid than she actually felt.
As he moved closer still, Kiera could see powerful muscles playing across his chest, rippling down his rock solid abdomen. It was even evident under the loose linen tunic. Bands of embossed leather strained against each bicep and matching cuffs, with ancient Celtic knot work encased his wrists. Each movement caused a play of muscles to dance before Kiera’s widening eyes as he moved like a predatory beast, inching ever closer towards her.
Okay, this was not funny anymore.
“Look, if you were using these rooms for the wedding, Moira should have told me. I am sorry to h-have disturbed you.”
Kiera backed up a few more steps and the man stared at her with open surprise.
“Ye’ be she…I knew it wouldna’ be long. Ye’ see me. That proves it. None of the others could see me.”
Kiera started to think this man was insane. Why did he keep saying that? She thought she had better not try to provoke him. He could crush her with his bare hands. If this was some sort of joke, Moira and Duncan would not hear the last of it.
“Okay, okay. I get it. Ha ha…good one. You can go back to Moira and tell her you scared the daylights out of me…better yet, I will tell her.”
Kiera did not want to appear as frightened as she felt. She still wasn’t certain that it was a joke. Perhaps he had forced his way in. Maybe he planned to rob her or worse. Kiera decided she wasn’t going to wait to find out. Without even grabbing her bag, she bolted through the door and ran full tilt down the main staircase. She didn’t even care if ran down the bride. She was going to find one of the caterers or wedding planners and have them forcibly remove the big cad immediately.
She heard him calling “Wait, Lass, dunna’ go…” but she did not stop to look back. She leapt down the steps, not even worried that she could fall on her face at any moment. Kiera never looked behind her and she burst into the banquet hall. There were guests seated; waiting for the wedding party to arrive from the ceremony space and all eyes shot to her disheveled appearance as she clattered into the room. She was mortified. She uttered a hasty apology and hurried back through the massive oak doors to find someone who could go with her to remove the intruder.
As Kiera’s breathing started to return to normal, she did not feel the need to run now. There were plenty of people about that could detain the gigantic intruder. One of the cooks began to scold her, saying, “Miss, ye’ need to not be here right now. Why ye’ practically made me drop this pot of sauce.”
“I beg your pardon. But there is a man in my quarters…”
“Yer’ quarters? Oh, ye’ must be the new lass who will be overseeing the place. No doubt he was just a wedding guest. Now if ye’ dunna’ mind, ye’ are quite under foot.”
“You don’t understand. I was told there was to be no one in my suite of rooms, not even wedding guests. I don’t think he was supposed to be there. Can you please have someone come with me to request him to leave? He was awfully imposing.”
The cook looked confused. “Miss, I thought ye’ were going to be staying in the private apartments.”
“I am.”
“Well, no one has access to that. We dunna’ even have keys to open it in an emergency.”
“Well someone must have, because there is a man up there who was making himself quite comfortable. I don’t know if this is some sort of joke, but quite frankly, I am not amused.”
The cook started to look a little uneasy and he said, “No, Miss. I dunna’ think it is a joke. There is no way for a man to get into the apartments there.”
Putting his pot of sauce aside he faced Kiera squarely and said, “Just what did this man look like?”
As if Kiera could ever forget him! That gorgeous beast’s image was burned into her mind. Gorgeous or not, he should not have been there, so the sooner he was told to go, the better for everyone involved.
“Come with me and I will show you. I think we may need to call the police.”
The cook called out to one of his helpers and said, “Please go with the lady and see if ye’ can peacefully escort the gentleman out. Lest we not disturb the wedding celebration if at all possible.”
The man helping in the kitchen strolled up the main staircase with Kiera. He did not look too happy about going up to the private residences but he walked beside her as he was bidden. The door to the salon was still wide open from Kiera’s hasty escape, but as they approached the room, they could see there was no one inside.
Planting her hands on her hips, Kiera said, “He was here, dammit. He must have known I was going to get someone to drag him out. I swear it.”
“Oh, I believe ye’, Miss,” the man said tenuously. “I mean, I believe ye’ saw someone or some thing.”
“I did. He was a large beast of a man, too. I am sure he was up to no good.”
Mimicking the cook, his helper said, “What did he look like, Miss?”
“I told you. He was huge. More like a giant, really. And he was wearing a costume…like those medieval re-enactors wear.”
“Could ye’
see his eyes, Miss?”
“I…I…well no, but I really did not give him a good look. I just thought I should be getting someone to… why?” Eyes? No, she hadn’t been looking at his eyes exactly…chest, yes. Legs, thighs definitely, but eyes, no.
“Some say ye’ canna’ see the eyes of those spirits that walk life past death.”
“Oh come on now. Are you trying to tell me you believe those silly ghost stories?” He sure didn’t feel like a ghost. He was imposing, to say the least, but he certainly looked as solid as she was.
“I am just telling ye’ what people say.”
Kiera was starting to lose her patience.
“He had eyes, dammit. I just did not make a lot of eye contact. I certainly didn’t see a man with no eyes.”
Kiera thought about his face and all that came to mind was a rugged handsomeness. She almost wished she had not run off so quickly and got a better look at him.
“Alright, Miss. If ye’ say so. Look, I dunna’ want to scare ye, but I think ye’ may have seen …”
“I DID not see a ghost. For the love of God, he was very, very real. He had a real body and a real face. In fact, he was lazily draping his very long legs over the arm of one of the chairs, there. That one, by the fire…fire…wait a minute…What sort of game is going on here? There was no fire lit when I came up only moments ago.”
The cook’s assistant swallowed visibly and he said, “I think we better leave now, Miss.”
“Just let me turn off the fire. I assume it is controlled by gas.” Kiera stepped closer to the fire and saw it was not gas-fed at all. A log was clearly burning and despite the heat that emanated from it, Kiera felt an uneasy chill course through her.
“Well, I…I guess someone thought it was a little chilly in this room. Perhaps one of the staff,” Kiera said, trying to convince herself of the explanation more than the cook’s assistant.
Kiera’s escort was backing slowly out of the room and he stammered, “I m-must get back.”
