All of the questions made her heart feel heavy as she sat back on her haunches and looked up at her brother. “Callum was doin’what was right for his clan. Aye, he is a brave man, but he is a just one as well. He would have laid down his arms in that glen if I had been there or nae. That is just the kind of man that he is.”
Her brother’s expression changed to one of curiosity as he tilted his head to the side. “Do ye care for him, sister?”
The question caught her off guard as she sucked in a sharp breath. Were her feelings so obvious to others that it seemed as if they were written on her face?
“I… I…” she stumbled over her words, feeling as if she were caught between a rock and a hard place. How could she tell her brother that she did not know how she felt toward the Laird, who seemed to have cast her aside from one moment to the next?
Ye daenae ken if he did that.
She tried to reassure herself that she was putting the cart before the horse before she even knew what his reasons were.
“Ye need a little more time to ken what is best,” Andrew said, smiling down at her.
Eleanor shook her head. “I think I…” Her words trailed off again when a knock sounded at the open door. Turning her head, she spotted Freya standing with her head hung low.
“Forgive me for intruding, Mistress, but the Laird wishes to speak with Mr. Whitacker in his study.” She cleared her throat quietly without lifting her head.
Swallowing hard, Eleanor felt her chest clench again.
He sent for Andrew and nae me.
She forced a smile when Andrew stood and offered her his hand to help her up. It was not easy to feel the Laird’s rejection, but she was not about to show Andrew, or even Freya, how badly it was affecting her.
Just a little longer and I will be able to be on me own.
She longed for the solitude of her own thoughts that would help her work through the complex feelings plaguing her mind.
“Duty calls and the Laird must not be kept waitin’,” he said before turning away from her. “But before I go,” he paused and looked over his shoulder. “I have written to father to set his mind at ease. Ye will have a day or two to decide what is best.” His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he once again turned away and headed toward the door.
Eleanor breathed in deeply, shutting her eyes for just a moment before looking back up. “Was there somethin’ that ye needed, Freya?”
The girl seemed to be on the brink of tears again as she finally looked up, fidgeting with the edges of her apron. “Mistress, I…” Her words were strained with emotion, her eyes welling with tears.
“Marion will make a full recovery, Freya. There is nae need to blame yerself for what happened.” Eleanor attempted to reassure her.
Shaking her head, Freya averted her gaze and wiped at her cheeks. “Ye daenae understand, Mistress, it was nae just Iain that I need to apologize for. It was me fault that Marion wasnae where she was supposed to be. I had too many chores, ye see, and I asked her to help me, but instead of doin’ what I needed to do, I went to flirt with Iain. I daenae even like him that much; I just enjoyed the attention he gave me. Marion was stabbed because I was actin’ like a foolish bairn.”
Lifting her hands to her shoulders, Eleanor warded off a chill and let out a breath. “That is quite a confession, Freya, but if I may say so, ye are still nae to blame. Ye may nae have made the right decisions, but it wasnae as if he stabbed her. Ye were nae involved in the mutiny, were ye?”
Freya shook her head as her eyes grew wider. “I daenae ken of any mutiny, Mistress. I am but a simple maid. I swear it.” Her voice grew higher with each word.
“I believe ye, Freya, there isnae need to explain yerself to me. It was nae yer fault, but if I may make a suggestion?”
Freya quickly nodded. “Please, Mistress, speak yer mind if there is anythin’ I can do?”
Eleanor hesitated for a second before answering. “Go and tell Marion that ye are sorry and that ye would like to be her friend. And after that, ye can stop flirtin’ with Iain. Unless ye feel that he truly likes ye, daenae play with others’ feelings.”
Allowing the corners of her mouth to lift into a smile, Freya breathed out. “I daenae think that he cares that deeply for me, Mistress. Our flirtin’ has always been in the name of fun. Truth be told, he has always had a soft spot for Marion. He had never said that he loves her, but I have seen the way his eyes follow her whenever she enters a room. The two are like passin’ ships in the night. Things would be better for them both if they just confessed their feelings.”
Could it be possible?
Eleanor wondered whether they had not all been mistaken about Iain. It had not seemed as if he had been too interested in Marion, but it was possible that he had been hiding his feelings out of fear. It was not easy to be vulnerable when your heart was at stake.
Freya wiped at her cheeks again. “Thank ye, Mistress, I shall do as ye say, and if I may, ye will make a great mistress for this castle. The Laird could nae have chosen a better wife.” She curtsied low, coming up with a fresh look of relief before excusing herself and leaving.
But I willnae be his wife.
She turned her back on the open door, wondering when Callum would tell the clan that their wedding was nothing more than a ploy.
