She settled into a comfortable chair, richly upholstered in a deep forest green that matched the green of the draperies. The thick carpet beneath her feet was a dark gold flecked with more deep green. Iain sank into the matching chair and sipped his drink silently. Cait looked down at her hands, clasped in her lap. Why had he asked her to dinner if he wasn’t going to talk? And what had happened that he was so morose?
“I’m no’ much company,” he finally said.
His Scottish brogue had crept into his speech, surprising Cait. For as long as she’d known him, he’d spoken like a Lowlander. She knew it was because he’d been educated in Edinburgh and then later in England. It was no secret that all of the Campbell chiefs were to be educated in the English way, thus forming the bond between the Campbells and the English.
“Do ye want me to leave?” she asked.
“Nay. Please stay.”
Cait nodded and they settled into silence again.
“I lost a ship today,” he said after a bit. “The crew perished.”
Her gaze flew to his, and suddenly, his mood made sense. “Oh, Iain. I’m so sorry.”
“I don’t care so much about the cargo, although it was quite a financial loss. But the crew and their families…” He took another drink and stared into the depths of the cut glass.
She was thinking of the families as well, of the women now without husbands, the babes without fathers. Without a head of family, they would be forced to leave their homes. If they were lucky, other family members would take them in. If they weren’t lucky, they would end up on the streets. Life was so cruel sometimes.
“I will compensate them, of course,” he said. “But that doesn’t bring their loved ones back.”
“No, it doesn’t. But they won’t have to worry about where their next meal will come from. That’s very honorable of ye.” She was beyond relieved to see that these people whom she didn’t even know wouldn’t be homeless. Deep down, Iain was a good man. Was that what John had been trying to tell her all along?
He blew out a breath. “It’s the least I can do.” He glanced up at her, then away. “I offered you the same.”
“I…” What was she supposed to say to that? Hehadoffered to let her live in her home after John had died, he’d even offered her money, but she had refused it all. “I know ye did and I’m grateful, but I’m fine without all of that. I didn’t need the money.”
He drained his glass.
“Was it deliberate?” she asked quietly, referring to the ship, afraid to voice the thought that he was losing cattle and his north field, devastated by the fire.
“Nothing would surprise me at the moment, but Patrick said it was a squall.”
The door to the sitting room opened and the housekeeper stepped in. She seemed surprised to see Cait but quickly recovered. “Alasdair Graham, my lord.” She flicked a gaze at Cait. “Should I set another place for dinner?”
“Yes, Gretchen. I forgot to tell you that Mrs. Campbell will be joining us as well.”
“Us?” Cait asked breathlessly. Alasdair Graham?Alasdair Grahamwas joining them for dinner?
Iain stood and became the Iain she knew so well. The weariness was smoothed from his face. His shoulders were back and he was smiling.
But Cait’s heart was thundering. She hadn’t faced her grandfather in over seven years, and she really didn’t want to do so now.
Chapter 10
Alasdair Graham paused when his gaze landed on Cait. She’d thought she would feel anger, seeing her grandfather for the first time in eight years, but surprisingly, she just wanted to cry with a mixture of emotions. He looked the same, from the long white flowing hair to the piercing blue eyes set in a face weathered by many Highland winters. The same but different. Older. Wearier.
Their last encounter had ended in harsh language, accusations, recriminations, and tears on Cait’s part. She’d not seen him since then.
“Alasdair,” Iain said. “Welcome. May I introduce Cait Campbell?”
“We’ve met,” Alasdair said, his blue gaze locked on hers.
“You have?” Iain asked in surprise.
“Alasdair is my mother’s father,” Cait said.
A moment of uncomfortable silence stretched between them. Cait didn’t look at Iain but suspected he was having trouble coming up with something to say.
