She found her way through the darkened corridors, her heart racing as she hurried back. She wondered if that was why the hallways seemed longer, the shadows somehow more menacing, as if they, too, held secrets that were not meant to be revealed.
As she approached her chamber, a muffled noise reached her ears, chilling her to the bone. She paused, her breath catching in her throat, straining to listen. It felt like the sound of footsteps once again.
That same sound was almost drowned by the hushed night. It stopped as abruptly as it had appeared, but she was certain that she had heard something. Or at least she hoped she wasn’t going mad, hearing things just out of her fear.
With a gulp, she pushed the door open and stepped inside, her eyes darting around the room, searching for the source of the noise. The chamber appeared undisturbed, but an unsettling feeling lingered in the air. She made her way cautiously through the room, her senses on high alert.
Then, a sudden movement caught her eye—a flutter of curtains as if disturbed by a breath of wind. She took a step closer, herheartbeat drowning out all other sounds. With still trembling hands, she parted the drapes, revealing an open window. She exhaled deeply, relieved that it was probably just some noise from outside, which, in her state of high alertness, she had mistaken for some monster in the dark.
She awoke with the first light of dawn, her mind still restless from the events of the previous night. The first rays of sun streamed through her window, casting a golden glow over the room. She sat up, pushing aside the remnants of an uneasy sleep. The day would bring clarity, she hoped.
The pleasures of the previous night were something she hadn’t expected. It was far beyond what she had thought she would find here, in this strange man’s castle. She knew that she had to decide if she could allow this to happen or forever forget that such pleasure even existed.
Raphael awoke, the morning light spilling gently into his chamber. He blinked, momentarily disoriented. It took him a few seconds to realize where he was. Then, the memories of the previous night flooded back—the rush of emotions, the passion, the lingering touch of Keira’s lips.
He reached out to the empty space beside him, expecting to find her there. His fingers met only cool sheets. Confusion and disappointment swirled within him. Had it all been a dream? But the faint scent of her perfume still hung in the air, a lingering reminder of the reality he had experienced.
He sat up, running a hand through his tousled hair, contemplating the events of the night. Her departure gnawed at him, leaving him yearning for more. Was she upset? Did she regret their actions? He was unable to decipher the tumultuous emotions that seemed to entangle her. The uncertainty weighed heavily on his chest.
Raphael quickly donned his attire and, with purpose, descended to his study. His mind was conflicted on how to approach the mess he had put himself into, but there were matters that required his attention beyond his personal predicament.
As he stepped into the study, the familiar scent of aged books and polished wood greeted him. The room felt like a sanctuary, a place where he could gather his thoughts and make sense of the challenges that lay ahead.
Moments later, as they had agreed, Dallas knocked on the door, where he was immediately called inside.
“Good mornin’, m’Laird,” Dallas greeted.
“I hope it will be,” Raphael drawled.
“I have received news just this morn,” Dallas continued, his tone solemn and composed. “The man’s been spotted in a nearby village, at an inn.”
Raphael clenched his fists, feeling the weight of years of anguish and longing. The man responsible for the loss of his beloved wifewas closer than he had anticipated. His resolve to bring this man to justice burned brighter than ever.
“How recent is this information?” Raphael asked.
“I do believe it is the most recent one yet,” Dallas assured him. “It comes from a man I highly trust. He wouldnae claim it unless he himself was certain it were true.”
“All right,” Raphael said, his voice determined. “We need to send a scout there, to assure ourselves of this. And we have to move swiftly. We cannae allow this chance to slip through our fingers.”
“Who do ye want me to send, m’Laird?” Dallas inquired. “I could go meself if ye agree.”
“Nay.” Raphael shook his head. “I need ye here, at the castle. Nay. Send someone else—someone ye trust. We need to confirm the identity of the man, to ensure that it is really him. It wouldnae be the first time we were sent on a wild goose chase.”
Raphael remembered the last time well. They had been almost absolutely certain that they had him, that they knew exactly where the man was hiding. But it had turned out to be a trap set up by one of his enemy clans. He had lost five men that day. Dallas had gotten badly injured as well. Returning home that day was a feeling he did not like to remember.
A sense of urgency hung in the air, intertwining with Raphael’s determination to put an end to this long-standing chapter of hislife. To be quite honest, he wasn’t that eager to start a new one, especially not with Violet, but he was certain of two things.
His wife’s death needed to be avenged. It was what he had vowed to do. She deserved that much, so she could rest in peace together with their child. The other thing he was certain of was that Keira’s arrival changed everything, and just like that, her departure would have the same effect.
“Are ye all right, m’Laird?” Dallas suddenly inquired politely. “Ye seem thoughtful somehow, lacking in focus, which isnae like yer usual self.”
Raphael inhaled heavily. This man sometimes knew him better than he knew himself. “It’s this upcomin’ cèilidh, Dallas, and everything it threatens to do to this castle.”
“Ye mean the betrothal?” Dallas asked, carefully selecting his words.
“Aye.” Raphael nodded. “Maither is relentless.”
“Old Lady MacCurtney just wants ye to be happy,” Dallas reminded him. “It is a maither’s job.”
