Niall drew in a breath, his gaze avoiding hers as he scanned the bustling worksite. “I’ve spoken to Antonio. And it seems earlier transportation to Cardiff can be arranged for ye. The day after tomorrow, in fact.”
Charlotte’s heart stuttered, the quiet words slipping into her mind like a thief, stealing away the joy of the afternoon. A silence stretched between them, filled with the distant noise of construction and laughter.
“The day after tomorrow?”
Niall nodded, his gaze still averted. “Aye. I thought it would be good news for ye.”
Shouldn’t it be? Cardiff was her home. She’d been yearning to return ever since she’d found herself here. But now that the prospect was real, she felt a painful little pang go through her.
“But...but I’ve so much work left here! The houses are just starting to go up, and the pottery...” Her voice trailed off as she saw the determined look on Niall’s face.
“Ye’ve done more than enough,” he said gently. “We can manage from here. Yer family must be missing ye.”
He was right, of course. She had a life back in Cardiff—a job she loved, friends and family who might be worried about her sudden disappearance. She should be relieved. But looking at the bustling construction site, the half-built cottage that was shaping up nicely under Knox’s stern supervision, and the people— her people now—who worked tirelessly, something tugged at her heart.
And when she looked at Niall...
Oh, when she did that, the tug in her heart became a burning ache. Because returning home meant leaving this place behind.
Leavinghimbehind.
“I don’t understand,” she said. “What’s changed?”
She’d thought they’d been getting close, beginning to open up to each other. Had she really misread him so badly?
Something flickered in Niall’s gaze and he looked away. His shoulders were tensed, his jaw tight, as he said, “New information.”
“New information? What does that mean?”
He glanced at her and away again. He didn’t seem able to meet her gaze.
Charlie frowned. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing!” he snapped. “I thought ye wanted to go home? I thought ye’d be pleased!”
Pleased?she thought.No, I’m not pleased. And that’s as scary as hell.
“I am,” she lied. “It’s just...it’s just come a bit suddenly, is all.”
“Aye, well,” Niall said gruffly. “It’s for the best.” Then, before she could say anything else, he muttered, “I have work to do.”
He walked away without another word. Charlie watched him go, her stomach churning. After a moment, she turned and marched off in the opposite direction, striding up the hill towards the scaffolded remains of the windmill.
There she found Antonio and his team trying to salvage what they could of the sails and taking careful measurements for replacements for those they couldn’t.
The jovial Italian smiled as he spotted Charlie approaching. “My dear!” he cried. “Come to see the masters at work, eh?”
“Something like that,” Charlie replied. “Although, I really came to ask you a question.”
“Oh?” Antonio said, his bushy eyebrows rising. “That sounds serious.”
“Niall tells me we’re going to leave the day after tomorrow.”
“Aye, that’s right!” Antonio laughed. “Niall has requested we postpone our current commitments and escort you home.” He leaned forward and winked conspiratorially. “And he’s offered enough coin that no self-respecting merchant could refuse! And besides, it will give me the opportunity to investigate new trading opportunities as we travel.”
Charlie blinked, momentarily shocked into silence.Niallhad arranged this? Niall had arranged for her to leave early? He really did want to get rid of her?
She suddenly felt like she had a bowling ball sitting in her stomach. He wanted her gone. He wanted her gone so badly that he was willing to pay god-knows-how much just to be rid of her.
