13
Charlotte’s eyes burned as she opened them to a morning light that was all too bright. Elizabeth had accused her of pouting and hiding and throwing a fit, but it had done nothing to spur her out of bed. Perhaps she was doing any one of those things, but she couldn’t find the courage to face Cameron again. Not after all he had said to her in the library.
She wasn’t sure how long she had sat in the library, her ears ringing and head spinning, after he had stormed out. But she knew that she couldn’t blame him for any of it. He wasn’t the one having an affair.
How he had found out, she didn’t know, but seeing as Alec had only gotten more brazen, she couldn’t say that she was surprised. Alec had been following her around incessantly, not to mention coming and going from her room without any care. It was a wonder that more people in the castle didn’t know or that they weren’t saying anything about it.
Shame filled her the longer she thought about it, but she couldn’t seem to get her mind to think about anything else. She had been sent here for the sole purpose of marrying Cameron, to secure an alliance with the Knox clan for her clan as much as his. There had been little doubt to her intentions in coming to the castle, yet she had arrived with Alec in tow. She had allowed their childish romance to continue.
It had taken her time to be able to admit it to herself, but she had been hoping that Cameron would be the reason she would finally be able to walk away from Alec. She had long since grown tired of their relationship and his possessive jealousy that only grew stronger by the day. Having a husband, and one who was a Laird at that, should have been her way to escape Alec’s relentless pursuits. But after hearing how utterly apathetic Cameron was to the entire situation, she felt hopeless that she would ever be able to free herself of the stable boy.
“All right, lass. Ye have sulked long enough,” Elizabeth chided, pushing her way into Charlotte’s chambers. “First ye avoided dinner and now ye are hidin’ under yer covers, tryin’ to get out of breakfast. Are ye goin’ to tell me what happened or do ye expect me to play along with yer game?”
As much as she loved Elizabeth’s direct nature, this was one time she could do without the commentary. She hardly knew how to answer her maid’s questions without condemning herself further. And as bad as Cameron’s reaction to Alec was, she knew that Elizabeth’s would be far worse. The old maid was likely to throw Alec out of the castle, dragging him by his ear, after giving Charlotte the talking to of a lifetime. On second thought, perhaps telling Elizabeth wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
“Laird Knox and I had a…disagreement yesterday afternoon.”
It was the best explanation Charlotte could give without explaining everything. She would have to tell Elizabeth how she had uncovered the truth about Cameron being the Laird, that he couldn’t read and had no manners, and his adverse reaction to be questioned about it. No, it was all better left unsaid. She had promised Cameron her discretion about the lessons she had given him at the table and in the library. Whatever he might think of her, she wasn’t going to break her word to him.
“Och, is that what this is all about?”
Elizabeth chuckled and shook her head as she went to the windows and pulled back the heavy curtains. Sunlight poured into the room. For once, Charlotte had been looking forward to the sullen moodiness of highland weather. Of course that meant the day had to be perfectly sunny and bright.
“All of this?” Charlotte questioned, still making no move to get out of bed.
“Aye. Ye ken how servants whisper. Apparently the Laird has been in quite the mood. Somethin’ similar to yers, I might dare to say. Och, lass, ye cannae let this bother ye so. All couples have their spats. It is nae like he is sendin’ ye back to yer father.”
That remains to be seen.
With her back turned, Elizabeth didn’t see the look Charlotte now wore. Despite the maid’s best efforts, she still had no interest in getting out of bed only to face the disaster that now awaited her.
“I dinnae feel well, Elizabeth. I will break my fast in bed today.”
Elizabeth turned and put her bony hands on her hips.
“And after that, do ye plan on wastin’ the rest of the day in bed too?”
The only pitiful answer Charlotte could give was, “Aye.”
* * *
“I was just givenword that Charlotte will nae be down to join us for breakfast,” Alastair said as he waltzed into the dining room. “Her maid has sent word that she is ill and is convalescing in her chambers.”
“Ill?” Cameron repeated.
“That is what I was told at the door. Do ye think we should send for a healer?”
Cameron pinched the bridge of his nose, already able to feel a headache coming on.
“I will seek out her maid and ask that I am given updates on Charlotte’s condition. I will send for a healer if it is necessary.”
Alastair nodded as he tucked into the food piled on the table. Cameron envied his appetite. He could hardly stomach the thought of eating after what had happened the day before.
His entire life, Cameron had tried to be a better man than his father. The stories of his legendary temper were known throughout the clan, throughout the highlands even. Cameron had worked tirelessly to make sure he didn’t carry that same temper. Yet, as soon as he had been questioned, as soon as he had been tested as Laird, he lashed out at Charlotte. The guilt was almost more than he could bear.
With his advisor present, Cameron had to do what he could to hide his inner turmoil. He had already made the mistake of letting the truth about his identity slip with Charlotte. He couldn’t afford for Alastair to find out about that mistake. There was too much at stake. This mistake might cost them everything and Alastair was not likely to forgive the misstep. Luckily, his advisor was too focused on filling his stomach to notice Cameron’s mood.
“There are many ghosts that haunt these halls,” Cameron muttered, his eyes on the woven tapestry hanging over the mantle.
