Against her declarations that she could walk back home alone, Torquil insisted on escorting her to make sure she was safe.
They paused just outside of the parting of the trees that would lead her back through the secret entrance.
His lips were soft on hers. The kiss a promise of things yet to come.
Eilidh snuck through the house, taking heed not to make a sound, and crept into bed, her dreams filled with Torquil’s kisses and his hand entwined with hers.
Chapter Eight
Torquil had workedhard to to hold back showing how furious he was at Eilidh for traveling so far in the dark, through potentially dangerous woods, alone, just to find him. It was a grand gesture, indeed, but a heedless one that could have gotten her hurt, or worse, killed. He was normally even tempered, but the risk she took could have had dire consequences, and he would never have been able to forgive himself. The thought of it had him fuming.
How she had not considered all the things that could have happened to her as she traveled here in darkness baffled him. Mayhap she had been fortunate enough to have never crossed someone ill-intentioned on her travels. To that, he thought her a very lucky lass.
But even with all the risks she took, he could not help but admire her tenacity and self-assuredness even more than he already did.
Eilidh Hart was strong-minded, strong-willed, and he was for certs that no one would ever be able to tame either of those qualities. Nor should anyone try. Any attempt to do so was destined to fail.
Arriving home in the early hours of the morn, he only wanted to fall into bed and sleep. But when he stepped inside his cottage, he was not alone.
“What are ye doing here, Callum? The hour is late, or should I say early.” Torquil quipped, but he was also exhausted and was in no mood for visitors at this time of night.
Callum rushed forward, his face serious as he ground out, “Are ye mad?” By way of greeting. He pointed to the door. “She is a Hart!”
“Were ye watching me?” Torquil sighed, trying to brush off the sting of his younger brother’s warning. Even so, he kenned the danger of what they were doing was real. “I am weel aware of who she is. Nor am I mad. Dinnae involve yerself in matters that doonae concern ye, little brother,” he warned.
“I beg to differ. Yer little rendezvous affects us all. ’Tis all of our concern if ye bring the wrath of the Hart down upon us, dinnae ye reckon?”
He was tired of being warned away from a woman by his brothers. “Ye are being dramatic.” He grabbed two cups from the cupboard and filled them each with ale. If he kenned Callum, he kenned that he would be here until well after daybreak. He handed a cup to Callum and sat in a chair by the window and settled in for what he predicted would be a long conversation. More than likely, one that neither of them would be happy with when the time came to part ways.
“’Twillnae be dramatic when the elders find out,” Callum spat. “They will see this as naught more than a betrayal. It doesnae matter how innocent ’tis. To them, they will want blood. Payment for yer traitorous ways. Think of the position ye are putting Seamus in.”
With a heavy sigh, Torquil admitted, “’Tis no’ innocent, brother.” He pushed his hands through his hair, shaking his head. “And I refuse to apologize for it. Whate’er the issues are betwixt our clans, they have naught to do with Eilidh.”
“Shite” Callum swore. “Mayhap no’, but she, and ye, will pay the price if ye bring us into a clan war.” He pushed his hands through his hair. “Torquil. Listen to yerself. Ye cannae possibly believe what ’tis ye’re saying.” His brother looked incredulous.
“Och, I mean it.” He took a long pull of ale, emptying the cup. Staring into the fire, watching the flames dance reminded him of Eilidh. His firebrand. “I have ne’er met a lass such as her afore. She,”he paused, unsure if he should reveal his true feelings. In the hopes of gaining Callum as an ally to help him sway those in his clan, he decided he had naught to lose and all to gain.
“She makes me feel, Callum. Feelings foreign to me. She’s passionate aboot music, life. Love.”
His brother’s eyes widened in shock. “Ye are smitten with the lass?” Callum shook his head in disbelief. “Nay, ye have passed being just smitten with her. Ye harbor true feelings for the Hart girl.”
“Eilidh,” Torquil said quietly.
“Pardon?” Callum asked.
“Her name is Eilidh. Not the Hart girl.”
Callum harrumphed and nodded as if he kenned the whole situation. “That is all that I needed to hear for my answer.” He took a deep breath as he looked around the cottage. “Nay good can come of this. Ye understand that, aye?”
“’Twill if we can change the minds of our cousin. Then his men will fall in line.”
“Ye are daft, brother. Ye are asking to change history for a lass. A lass that ye have kenned for what, a sennight? If that.”
“She is special,” Torquil whispered. “I could use yer support with this.” He was being sincere in his request.
Barking out a laugh, Callum met his eyes. “Brother, ye will need a whole lot more than just my support.”
“But I can start with yers?” It was a question that he wanted his brother to answer. To ken that someone was on his side with this would mean much to him. Whatever answer his brother gave him, whether it be aye or nay, would not deter him from pursuing Eilidh though. Nay, that would still happen and he would fight tooth and nail to have her be forever at his side. But to have his brother back him on this would provide support from someone he loved and respected.
