Callum strode toward the castle, having come back from a patrol on foot. He had wanted to clear his mind, yet all he could think about was the way her hips had moved and the swelling of her breasts when she loosened her curls. He knew very well that she had been teasing him, yet her methods had effectively aroused him.
He swore under his breath as he neared the field beside the castle where laundry was hung, and children played. He had attempted to find Bran before setting off on patrol, but the dog had been nowhere to be seen. He followed the sound of joyfulyapping until he rounded one of the giant oaks that grew along the border of the castle and stopped.
The picture that met his gaze made his chest clench as he folded his arms over his chest and watched.
Bran was playing with Eleanor, chasing her to the line of trees before tucking his tail between his legs and running back. His long pink tongue flapped in the wind as he yelped whenever he allowed her to catch him.
Callum could not help but watch her closely as she tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ear. She was radiant in beauty as the sun shone down on her in a rare moment of warmth.
She began to run again, but toppled to the ground and laughed when Bran accidentally knocked her over.
Traitor.
He almost glared at the dog when he jumped to his feet and began to lick her arms and face.
Eleanor laughed uproariously as she attempted to fight the dog off. It had been a long time since Callum had played with Bran in such a free-spirited manner. He had almost forgotten how playful and fun the animal could be. Bran had been a gift from his father, and although the dog was getting on in years, he still knew his way around a battlefield like all of the men that Callum had trained.
“Somethin’ interestin’?” Iain asked as he came up beside Callum.
Tearing his gaze away from the scene in front of him, Callum glared at Iain when he began to smirk.
“Or should I say, someone bonnie and interestin’?” His gaze wandered over to Eleanor, who sat up straight and began to stroke Bran’s long back.
“I was watchin’ Bran, he was supposed to come with me to check the borders,” he grumbled, trying to push down the feelings that were nagging in his chest. Why did it bother him so much that Bran seemed to prefer her company over his? Or was it the fact that he, too, wanted to be in her company more than he cared to admit? She was intelligent, funny, kind, and far more beautiful than anyone he had ever seen.
“Aye, seems like ye have been replaced,” Iain chuckled.
“Ye are one to talk. I have nae seen Marion speakin’ to ye ever since that day in the yard,” he bit back.
Iain’s face suddenly fell as he looked more serious. “She has been busy.”
Callum pushed himself off the tree and clapped Iain on the shoulder. “Aye, busy avoidin’ ye. Ye had better have a conversation with her before it is too late.”
“And what do ye mean by too late?” Iain’s frown deepened as he looked at his boots.
“Ye daenae ken what tomorrow holds. If ye feel somethin’ for the lass, then ye had better tell her. She may just get tired of waitin’ for ye and find someone who does want her in the way she deserves.” Callum’s gaze moved back to Eleanor as she began to walk back toward the castle with Bran at her side. She still seemed blissfully unaware of the fact that Callum and Iain were watching her.
She will find someone to marry.
Callum felt his chest clench with a pang of jealousy, although he did not know why. She had every right to marry another man if she chose. Their agreement had only been until the true mastermind behind his attack revealed himself, and that moment was steadily drawing closer the more they waited.
It felt strange to think of a time in his life when she would not be present.
“Aye, but that only matters if I love her,” Iain broke through his thoughts again, drawing Callum’s attention back to the present.
“Aye, it only matters if ye love her. Ye had better find out if ye do before ye regret lettin’ her go for the rest of yer life.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Her back ached as Eleanor came up straight. She had been hiding in the study from Callum ever since their near kiss. She had once again made a fool of herself, and she needed some space. At least, she reasoned with herself, she needed to buy herself some space for the next four days. Their farce of an engagement was about to end. All she needed to do was lie low.
Placing her hands on her knees, she pushed herself up from the stack of ledgers she had been sorting on the ground. All of the leatherbound books were alphabetized and ready for one of the maids to place them on the shelves.
So much work and still nay leads.
She groaned slightly as she came to her feet and rubbed her temples with the tips of her fingers. There had to be something that they were missing, she just knew it. Andrew could not have disappeared without leaving a trace. He was far too intelligent for that.
A soft knock sounded at the door as she lifted her gaze in that direction.
