Page 11 of Highland Heart

After a moment he caught up with her, falling into step once more. They walked together, in silence, until they reached the gates to Castle Tighe, and then he turned in the direction of the armoury. Rosina ignored the smirk of the guard and went about her duties.

But she had a great deal to think about. His offer was crude and preposterous and yet ... Some part of her, the keening she had felt all those years ago, the sensation that had never gone away, was screaming at her to say yes.

***

Mary was sewing in Elspit’s chamber with the other women. Elspit herself was half asleep with a smile on her face, a smile that Rosina was fully aware was due to Ewen Campbell.

They were in love.

Rosina didn’t expect to find love again, that wasn’t why she was resisting Dugald’s request. He wasn’t asking her for love. This was a purely physical thing.

“Dugald says he will ask the seamstress to make me a new gown, Mother,” Mary interrupted her thoughts. “A green one, because it is my favourite colour. He says his brother Ewen is going to have a feast to celebrate his return, and I can wear it then.”

Rosina bit her lip but forced a smile. “That is very good, Mary.”

“It’s because he’s my father,” Mary stated matter of factly, but her glance at her mother was asking a question. “At least, that is what I believe.”

The other women in the room were pretending not to listen but Rosina was well aware they were. Even Elspit, a moment ago asleep, had lifted her head and opened her eyes.

“He is your father, Mary. He has been ... away but now he is returned with Ewen. But he will not be here for long. He is an important man and the duke needs him.”

Mary thought about this. “He said that even when he leaves he will write to me. I do not write very well. I should practise my letters so that I can write back.”

Rosina felt her chest ache. Her daughter, who was the worst of pupils, had suddenly decided she needed to learn to write better so that she could respond to her father’s letters. “Then you must certainly pay attention next time you have a lesson, Mary.”

Her daughter nodded solemnly. “I will. I promised Dug ... I promised my father.”

There was a collective sigh in the room, as if all the ladies felt the emotion. Elspit smiled at her friend. “Dugald is very good at getting people to do things for him,” she said to no one in particular. “That is why the duke likes him, according to Ewen.”

There seemed little to say to that. Rosina had already guessed that Dugald had risen far and would rise even further. She could not expect him to remain here, and nor did she want him to. And even if she wanted to cling to him, he was like a slippery fish that would never be in her grasp for long. What did it matter what they did in the short time he remained at Tighe? She wanted him and he wanted her, she could at least be honest about it. Why did she have to make everything so difficult? It wasn’t as if they were hurting anyone ... except, she admitted, herself. Dugald had made her an offer and at that moment Rosina recklessly decided to take it.

Chapter seven

DUGALD

Ewen was grateful for his help. Dugald and his elder brother always got along well, while the twins were naturally closer to each other, but the truth was all of the brothers were close. Perhaps it was because they had lost Auchiltie and had to flee for their lives, as well as their fierce determination to one day regain those lands.

Hamish and the twins were planning to leave Castle Tighe soon, and return to Auchiltie, and Ewen would remain here with his wife. Dugald had meant to return to the duke as soon as possible, but for some reason he wasn’t willing to explore the days passed and he was still here. Ostensibly he remained to help Ewen with any rebellions that might be brewing, but if he was honest with himself it was all about Rosina.

When he had seen Rosina going into that cottage the other morning he’d acted without a thought for his own safety. She was in danger and he needed to protect her. She’d been upset and angry with him, and then, on the walk back to the castle, she had argued with him.

Go away, Dugald. You are leaving anyway.

The proposal had spilled out of his mouth before his brain had a chance to stop and consider. Dugald’s mind was as cold and sharp as the steel blade of his sword. He saw a problem and then he worked out how to solve it. He admitted he wanted her, as much and as often as possible. She wanted him too, he had proven that to her. Surely his offer was the best solution for them both? They could scratch this inconvenient itch and then he would be on his way and she could continue with her life here at Tighe. They would communicate when it was necessary for Mary’s future, but other than that, it would be over.

Then why did it not feel right? Yes, he lusted after her like a stag in rutting season, but that was just a small part of the whole. From the moment he had set eyes on her again, her beautiful face and her stormy grey eyes, he had felt as if his world were no longer the same. The bright future he was headed for dimmed and darkened, and no matter how he tried to tell himself this desire for Rosina was only a temporary thing, it was a lie. God help him, he wanted her back. All of her. The thought of her wandering around unprotected ... no, he wanted to be the man standing at her back, ready to step in at the first sign of danger. He wanted to hold her tight in his arms and bring the smile back to her lips and sweep the clouds from her eyes.

Did Rosina want that too? Was that why she had looked so sad? Because he was leaving her again?

“Dugald.” He looked up at the sound of the sweet voice and saw Mistress Stewart lingering in the doorway to the armoury. She appeared uncertain and he smiled a welcome. He felt a little sorry for her. Until she returned to the duke’s household, she was stuck with his father watching over her like a hawk.

“I wondered if you were returning to the duke’s castle soon,” she said in a rush, and he saw that her cheeks were flushed. Frowning, he wondered if one of the men had been trying to flirt with her, or taking unwelcome liberties.

“Do you wish to leave?” he asked her. “I can arrange—”

She looked startled. “Oh ... I ... I am grateful, thank you, but I don’t wish to leave. Your father is planning to return to Auchiltie, and he is worried it will not be in a fit state. I know those who drove you out of your home were not kind people. I think he believes I will be overcome at the sight and he wants to see me safe back with the duke.”

Dugald nodded, wondering where this conversation was going. “My father is right. It will be a shambles, Mistress Stewart. You would be better off returning to—”