Gunn gave him a curt nod, his mouth turned down into a frown. “I ken ’twas a verra hard step to take.”
“Aye, ’twas. Though necessary. If ye’ll excuse me. I dinna feel in the mood for talking.”
He pushed past his friend and walked through the castle and out the back door. As he made his way down the steps that would take him to the gardens and then beyond that, the fields where his sheep had spent most of their lives, he once again cursed Christopher.
Did his brother realize the depths of destruction he had caused? Did he ken the steps that had to be taken so he could save their home? Their people?
He highly doubted it. The only thing Christopher cared about was himself and how he was going to afford the next game, whether it be cards or dice, it didn’t matter. As long as he could feel the thrill of playing, he was happy.
It didn’t matter that he was endangering everything their father had worked so hard for. His mind was beyond that. He was so selfish. Not caring about anyone but himself.
Gwen emerged from the hedged wall of the garden and smiled at him.
He gave her a quick wave, expecting Clarissa to pop out behind her, but she didn’t.
“Are ye walking alone?” he asked, dancing around outright asking about Clarissa.
Gwen smiled knowingly.
She was sharp as a tack and saw right through his farce.
“I’ve actually no’ seen Clarissa today. I assume she is curled up with a good book in her room.”
He frowned. That didn’t seem right. “Really?”
“Aye,” she shrugged. “When I saw her last night afore we retired, she had seemed upset, but insisted it was naught. I dinna ken. Mayhap, she is homesick.”
He clenched his jaw. “Mayhap. I suppose we will see her for dinner.”
Brows raised, Gwen addressed him. “I suppose we will.” She went to move around him, but paused, placing a hand on hisarm. Her voice serious, she said, “I ken what Nicholas has told both ye and Clarissa, but I also see him watching the both of ye. He is no’ blind to the chemistry between the two of ye.” She patted his arm. “Give him time, he will come around.”
With that, she left him standing there. He raised his eyes and glanced at the window that belonged to the room that Clarissa was staying in. He hoped to see her standing there, watching him, but the window was empty.
He sighed, sweeping his gaze over the landscape before turning around to head back inside. His plan was almost complete. Tomorrow, he would get the money to give to Kitt for his sheep. The thought of giving the bastard any money at all irritated him immensely, but once he was paid, he had no hold over them anymore. He would leave Clarissa alone, and hopefully disappear.
Disappearing was probably a bit much, but Alexander would be happy if he didn’t have to ever lay eyes on Kitt again.
*
“The meal willbe ready for us to indulge in later.” Kitt had moved to Clarissa’s side, and she found herself cringing away from the man.
He had an off-putting scent to him. A cross between tobacco and body odor and she tried to breathe through her mouth when he was near.
“Would that be nice?” he asked when she didn’t acknowledge his earlier statement.
Honestly, she just wanted him to step away, and when he didn’t, she moved to the side, but was soon disappointed when he fell into step beside her once again.
Clearing her throat, she brought her handkerchief to her nose to feign a sneeze but took a deep breath behind thepleasant-smelling cloth, thankful she had tucked one into her reticule.
He lifted a brow in question but stepped away to give her space.
“Aye, dinner would be nice,” she finally answered. She really didn’t want to eat with him. Lord knew what kind of condition his kitchen was in. If it was in the same state as the rest of his house, the meal would leave much to be desired. That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. She didn’t find she had much of an appetite in Baron Kitt’s presence.
Had Alexander noticed she was gone yet? She couldn’t help but wonder.
“Let us relax and enjoy some easy conversation.”
She looked longingly towards the door, willing Alexander to burst through, but naught happened. She sighed and watched Jacob pick two pieces of small sandwiches from a plate that he had brought in with the tea.
