“I wouldna allow a fairy to kiss me, one leg or no. No good has ever come to any man who kissed a fairy. But I do fancy the lass, no in the way ye mean I imagine, but I would fall in love at first sight with any lass who had the wits about her to reject Adwen so ardently.”
Adwen ground his teeth firmly together, determined to remain gentlemanly in the presence of Isobel. Instead, he said nothing, allowing Orick and Isobel to continue the conversation without him while he turned his attention back to cooking.
“So do ye mean ye dinna enjoy the kiss the two of ye shared? If ye say ye dinna, I willna believe ye.”
Orick laughed and, as Adwen dished each of them a serving of eggs along with a side of herring onto wooden plates, Adwen resisted the temptation to spit onto the center of Orick’s plate.
“Nay, I canna say that. I enjoyed it more than any kiss I’ve had in me life, but I know well enough why she kissed me. ’Tis she who would kiss a one-legged fairy if it meant proving Adwen wrong.”
“What do ye mean by that, Orick?”
Adwen turned quickly, plates in hand, as he did his best to interrupt the conversation. “Food is ready. Taste these eggs and tell me if they are no the best ye have ever tasted.”
To Adwen’s delight, the temptation of food distracted Orick enough that he didn’t answer Isobel’s question, instead starting in on the food immediately. Isobel quickly followed suit.
“So? Did I lie to ye?”
Isobel smiled, and Adwen sat down to eat his own food. Jane could eat hers when she arrived—he didn’t imagine she’d wish to dine with him anyway.
“No, much to my surprise, ye dinna. I shall have to teach Jane how to cook the eggs this way.”
“He’s no verra good at much, but I’ll admit that Adwen knows how to prepare a proper meal.” Orick begrudgingly gave the compliment.
“I can see that. Now, what did ye mean about Jane proving Adwen wrong?” Isobel turned her head briefly to address Adwen directly. “Doona think that I dinna notice how quickly ye went about feeding us right at the time I asked the question. I am no distracted easily. If anything, yer efforts have only increased my curiosity.”
Adwen laughed, nodding as he relented to the knowledge that inevitably Isobel would learn what really had happened the evening before. Even if he prevented Orick from relaying the tale, Jane surely would tell her the next moment the two of them were alone. At least now, he was there to make certain the true version was told.
It shocked him to realize that it didn’t bother him overmuch. He wished to be her friend—a desire he’d never had for another woman in his life.
“Go on and tell her, Orick. ’Tis clear that she has no intention of speaking of anything else ’til ye do.” Adwen leaned forward in his chair, stuffing his mouth full of eggs as Orick spoke.
“Adwen asked Jane to bed him, just outright, and the lass took offense to it, as she should. Adwen’s so foolish he couldna believe she’d deny him unless she enjoyed the company of other women. She only kissed me to prove to him that she didn’t.”
Adwen clenched his jaw as Isobel took to laughing so loudly, he was certain she would keel over from the effort at any moment. She laughed until the coughing overtook her. Only after stopping to catch her breath did she speak.
“No, Adwen, ye dinna? I’ll no say that I have much experience with men trying to bed me, but surely ye know enough of women to know that few would no take offense to such a question.”
Swallowing the mouthful of eggs, he smiled. “I can tell ye with certainty that more than a few have no taken offense.”
The smile on Adwen’s face slowly diminished as he took in the look of utter disgust on Isobel’s.
“If ’tis true, Adwen, I can promise ye that ye have no been bedding the right lassies.”
“I have told him that more than once, Isobel.” Orick stood, nodding his head toward Isobel as he stepped toward the door. “But…he doesna ever listen to me. I think it best that I ready our horses, but I thank ye for yer hospitality and I hope that we meet again one day.”
Adwen watched as Orick kissed Isobel’s hand before ducking through the doorway, leaving them alone.
Isobel turned to him as soon as Orick was gone, reaching out to give his hand a gentle squeeze.
“Jane is a bonny lass, Adwen, but if ye wish to win her, ye will have to do better than that.”
Some part deep inside him rallied against Isobel’s suggestion. He didn’t win the hearts of women; he didn’t wish to. He bedded them and said goodbye. It was the pattern of his life. It was easy and comfortable, and he saw no sense in changing it any time soon.
“I doona wish to win her, Isobel.”
“Oh, aye, o’course ye doona. ’Tis why yer shoulders tense every time I say her name and why ye couldna help but smile when I told ye she would be here shortly. Since then, ye have glanced at the door every few moments, watching for her.”
“I doona know how to care for a lass, Isobel. Doona be fooled by my behavior toward ye, I am no verra skilled at treating them kindly.”
Isobel stood from her seat, reaching to gather their plates as she spoke with her back toward him. “If what ye say is true, ’tis only because ye have never met a lass to require it of ye. Until, perhaps, now.”
She sounded just like Orick. Could he really have spent his entire life unintentionally choosing women nearly as foolish as himself? The thought made him uncomfortable and ashamed.
“Ye sound like Orick, Isobel. Even if I did fancy Jane, ’tis no me that she cares for.”
Isobel faced him, humor dancing in her eyes. “Do ye mean to suggest that she fancies Orick? Doona be a fool, Adwen. Orick is right. She only kissed him to get to ye, and she wouldna have bothered doing that if ye had no stirred something within her. When Gregor and I walked up on the kiss and she pulled away, ’twas no us she looked at first, but ye. She wished to see yer reaction.”
He hoped what she said was right but, in truth, it didn’t matter. He would have scarce opportunity to see her again. By now, Orick would be ready with the horses, and it didn’t look like Jane would be arriving to work on time.
“’Tis of no matter, even if ye are right. Cagair Castle is a long distance from here and, once I return home, my travels will come to an end for some time.”
“Ye have traveled a lot then?”
Adwen exhaled at Isobel’s question, pleased that Jane was no longer the center of their conversation. He stood to help her clean, and they spoke as they worked together.
“Aye. There are few known places in the world that me and my brothers have no visited. We were raised on the road and ’tis where we belong—no in a castle.”
“Ye are no pleased to become laird. I understand why. To be able to see other lands...” Isobel paused and Adwen watched the far-off look in her eyes, allowing her the moment of dreaming. “There is nothing more that I would rather do, but ’tis a wish I shall have to let die with me.”
Adwen’s breath caught in his chest, and he had to blink to keep from tearing up. Orick was right, but it had taken this sick woman to show him just how little he appreciated his own life. She wanted desperately to get a taste of the joys he took for granted.
Orick stepped into the doorway. Adwen held up a hand to stop him. He wanted to say one last thing to Isobel before they left. Sick or no, he wanted to make her dream come true.
“Isobel.” He swallowed in the hopes it would prevent his voice from cracking as he spoke. “Cagair Castle is but a three day ride from here, and ye pass through some of Scotland’s most beautiful scenery. How would ye and Gregor like to come and stay with us for a time?”
Her eyes lit up, but he could see how she restrained from getting excited. He knew well enough what her first reaction would be.
“I would never survive the journey. The weather grows colder with each passing day.”
“Aye, ye could. Ye forget who ye are speaking to. While I am skilled at little, travel is where my greatest strength lies. If I send men to help esc
ort ye, do ye think ye could convince Gregor to allow it? Ye will see fewer guests as the weather chills, and I will pay ye the money ye will lose by closing for the rest of winter.”
Isobel smiled and gripped onto his hand as he stood. “Do ye truly wish us to come so badly?”
Adwen nodded without hesitation. He’d had few experiences in his life where he felt such an instant sense of kinship as he had with Isobel. “Aye, I wish to give ye this opportunity, Isobel, to help ye to see things unknown to ye. Please allow me to do so.”
“Aye, I’ll allow it.” She followed him to the door, reaching out to grab his arm as he stepped outside. “Will ye allow me to do something for ye in return?” She didn’t allow him the opportunity to answer. “Let me bring Jane along.”
Adwen smiled, his heart speeding up at the mere thought of another spirited exchange with the feisty lass. “Aye, though she willna agree to come, no if she knows where she’s going.”
Isobel gave him a slight push out the door, laughing as she did so. “Aye, she will. Doona worry. And thank ye, Adwen.” She followed him outside and leaned up to give him a soft kiss on the cheek. “I canna tell ye what this means to me.”
Adwen nodded and turned to walk with Orick to the horses.
* * *
“I prefer the man I saw back there.” Orick pointed back in the direction of the inn as they rode away. Adwen shrugged in response.
“What man? ’Twas only us there this morning.”
“Ye know my meaning well enough, Adwen. I have no seen ye be so genuine around a lass in a long time, no since yer mother. Ye allowed Isobel to see the man that ye truly are. And ’tis that man, no the arrogant bastard ye usually are, that could make any lass fall in love with him.”
Only one lass filled his mind as he thought on Orick’s words. Perhaps most lassies would fall for the man Isobel had seen, but he doubted that even that man would be enough to capture the heart of a lass like Jane.
CHAPTER 12
The morning sun did little to warm the air, and I shivered as I hurried to ready my horse in an effort to make up for the time I lost by oversleeping. At this rate, no matter how much Gregor and Isobel needed some help, they were bound to fire me.
Not only were my bread baking skills abysmal, but I’d also behaved poorly the night before, allowing them to walk up on me while I assaulted Orick’s lips with my own—not that Orick seemed to have minded it overmuch. And now, to top everything off, I’d awakened far past my normal time. More than likely, Isobel had been forced to cook breakfast for the insufferable idiot and Orick by herself.
Eoghanan’s news had turned out to be unworthy of the sinking sensation that flooded my chest at its first mention. In truth, the only news he had to bear was that Baodan now knew everything—I’d already assumed as much. How could he not when I’d been a complete no-show for dinner?
While Eoghanan had apparently smoothed things over rather well, I knew he still expected me to discuss everything with Baodan myself. Expectations aside, I didn’t have time to appease him, or anyone else around the castle, on this particular morning
“Ye are late, lass.”
I’d just mounted my horse when Gregor’s voice reached me.
Guilt washed over me as I realized he must have come in search of me. Either that or he’d made the trip to do exactly what I expected, and he intended to fire my bad-cooking, kiss-a-total-stranger, lazy and irresponsible ass.
“I…I’m so sorry, Gregor. I overslept. I owe you a huge apology.” I spoke before I faced him, afraid to see the look of frustration on his face. His hand reached up to pat my horse.
“Doona worry, lass. I only speak to ye in jest. We kept ye far too late last evening. Ye should have slept in just as ye have done.”
I faced him, feeling no better despite the kindness of his words. “No, I shouldn’t have. I must be needed or you wouldn’t have ridden all the way here to collect me. I truly am sorry.”
“Jane. I am no the kind of man to say things that I doona mean, no unless I mean to tease ye. If I say ye should have slept in, ’tis what ye should have done. I dinna come here to ‘collect’ ye. I came here to speak with the laird—to ask forgiveness for keeping ye and explain the need we have of ye.”
“Oh. And what did he say?”
“He said ’twas no his place to keep ye from doing as ye wish, whether he thinks it proper or no. Then he said something about his wife being much the same way—that there was no use in denying ye, for ye will do as ye please with or without permission.”
I laughed, knowing Mitsy well enough after my time here to know that what Baodan had said was very much true. She was just as strong-willed as me and, if possible, even more forward with her words.
“Well, that’s great. Then we don’t have to be so secretive about me working at the inn anymore.”
“Aye, ’twill be a pleasant change. I’ve enough to worry over without keeping secrets. What do ye say we ride together?”
* * *
A strong northern breeze blew through the air even cooler than it had been to begin with, and each of our horses seemed to move slower as a result. It seemed we’d ridden miles; although in truth, it couldn’t have been more than a quarter of one, before Gregor broke the awkward silence and spoke.
“Last evening, ye said that ye meant to prove something by kissing the lad. Forgive me, Jane, but I canna make sense of just what that might be.”
“He thought—not the one I kissed, the other one. He thought…you know, I really don’t think you want to know, Gregor.”
He laughed and nodded. “Aye, fine. ’Tis for the best, I suppose.”
I hesitated, not wishing to sour his mood, but too curious to resist asking. “Gregor, what happened last night?”
He exhaled, his warm breath causing a cloud to appear in the coldness. “We dinna ever make it to the healer. She dinna wish to go, although she never said so. Instead, she insisted we stop in at old lady Brenna’s, knowing well enough that she would visit with us so long we wouldna make it there. She doesna wish to get better, Jane. It breaks my heart more than I can say.”
I waited as I attempted to pull my thoughts together in a string of sentences that wouldn’t overstep or cause offense. Isobel’s health was understandably a touchy subject for him but, like most men, he understood so little about women, he couldn’t begin to see what she meant to do.
“It’s not that she doesn’t wish to get better, Gregor. Of course she does. She doesn’t want you to get your hopes up in case…in case nothing works.”
“I wish that were true, Jane, but have ye no seen her? I weep with how my heart aches for her. I wish nothing more than to take her pain away, but she doesna cry for herself, doesna ever appear to realize how sick she is. Surely, a woman happy in her life would be more distraught.”
I shook my head even though I knew he couldn’t see me since he rode slightly ahead. I nudged my horse to speed up, not speaking until I rode next to him. “You have it all wrong. It has nothing to do with how distraught she is. She is scared to death and miserable every moment that she grows sicker, but she loves you more than she loves herself. She stays strong for you, Gregor. It’s not that she never cries; she’s human, of course she does. It’s only that she waits until you’re not around to do so. She’s one of the strongest women I’ve ever known.”
“Hm.”
He made the soft noise beside me as if the thought had never occurred to him before. I allowed him his silence, falling slightly behind him once again. I knew far more of men than Gregor knew of women. He needed a moment alone.
Only once we’d broken the small hill that dipped down into the village did Gregor slow to let me catch up, his mood considerably lifted. “Thank ye, lass.”
“For what?”
“For helping me to see why she dinna wish to go last evening. If ’twas me instead of her, I’d have behaved in the same way.”
“Well, sometimes when we’re right in the middle of something, it’s hard
to see what’s really going on.” I nodded up toward the inn as we approached. “You didn’t have to come and speak on my behalf. It was my job to explain everything to Baodan.”
“No, I wouldna risk ye saying something ye’d be better off no saying. I need ye around too badly. And besides, ye shouldna ride alone. If ye were murdered along yer way back, who would cook that tasty bread of yers?”
I didn’t miss his teasing wink, and I laughed in response as he spoke again.
“Besides, Jane—even if we’d made it to the healer, I dinna expect to arrive back at the inn so late in the evening. Eoghanan was expecting ye back earlier. ’Tis me own fault that ye were kept. ’Twas right for me to speak to the laird myself.”
As if on cue, Isobel appeared in the doorway to the inn, a small figure in the distance, waving her arms happily as she watched us approach.
I could tell by the mischievous grin she bore that she’d spent the morning with Adwen.
CHAPTER 13
Cagair Castle
February 1649
The voices were barely a whisper, soft and distant. He couldn’t make out the words, couldn’t tell how many joined in on the ghostly conversation, but he couldn’t deny their presence. It was the fourth time such soft whispers had reached his ears. The stories about the castle were true—spirits roamed the halls of Cagair Castle.
“Did ye see one? Callum has. So have I.”
“What?” Adwen turned to face his brother, hoping that Griffith hadn’t noticed him jump as he approached.
“I’ve only seen one lass, but Callum has seen two, and Orick claims to have seen three lassies, as well as a man living among them.”
“No, I havena seen them, but I can hear them.” In all of his travels, despite every strange, mystical thing Adwen had seen, he’d never encountered a ghost.
“’Tis unsettling at first, but they cause no harm. And the lassies are fine beauties, though they dress verra strangely.”
Love Beyond Compare (Book 5 of Morna’s Legacy Series) Page 7
