Page 23 of Highland Ghost

Chapter Eight

It was already late afternoon the next day, and still Caitlin’s traveling party had not left Gowrie Castle. Nash and North were at least up and awake today, but they were moving very slowly.

“Well, we’re ready to go,” North finally said, finishing putting their bags in the back of the wagon with Matilda, Kellina, and the children. Nash was up front on the bench seat of the wagon, ready to drive it home. “Caitlin, get in,” said North, stretching out his arm to help her.

Caitlin looked back at the castle once again, still looking for Ian.

“I was hopin’ to say guidbye to Ian, but I havena seen him all mornin’,” she answered.

“Caitlin, hurry up,” called out her sister from inside the wagon. “The children are gettin’ fussy, and we want to get home before dark.”

“Aye, especially since it is All Hallows’ Eve,” said Matilda. “I don’t want to be out on the road at a time like this any longer than necessary.”

Caitlin looked up to the tower window, and gasped when she saw the ghostly figure of Sylvia quickly move aside. She was about to say something about it when Finn ran up with something in his hand.

“Finn? Where is Ian?” asked Caitlin, not wanting to leave before seeing him once more.

“My cousin is in his room sulkin’, like he does every year on his birthday.”

“His birthday?” asked Caitlin in surprise. “He didna tell me that. So he was born on All Hallows’ Eve?”

“Aye, and he hates it. He usually hides away until it is over.”

“We’re goin’, Caitlin. Get in the wagon or ye’re goin’ to have to walk back to the MacKeefes,” shouted Nash.

“Wait,” she called out. “I would really like to wish Ian a happy birthday before we leave.”

“Sister,” called out Kellina from inside the wagon. Both the children were crying now. “We’re leavin’. Ye can return next year and wish him a happy birthday then. We need to go!”

“Aye,” said Caitlin, looking back at the castle once more, but still not seeing Ian. “I suppose I can do so next year instead.”

“I’m afraid that willna be possible,” Finn told her.

“Why no’?” she asked curiously, thinking Finn was acting very fidgety and odd.

“I canna tell ye.” His eyes darted over to the castle. “I made a promise and canna break it. I’m sorry. I wish I could, but I suppose it wouldna matter anyway. Ye are leavin’ and ye two are no longer gettin’ married.”

“Finn, what are ye tryin’ to say?” she asked.

North rode over atop his horse, looking down at Caitlin. “Well, the wagon left. Ye’ll have to ride with me now or stay here,” said North. “Which will it be?”

“What?” She looked back to the wagon, confused. Sure enough, Nash had become impatient and left without her. “Nay, I’m no’ stayin’ here. I want to be with all of ye,” she answered.

“Then let’s go.” North reached down, and Caitlin had no choice but to take his hand. North pulled her up in front of him, and Caitlin looked back at Finn.

“Finn, will ye please tell Ian I wanted to see him, but I ran out of time?”

“Ye and he both,” he mumbled, making no sense to her at all.

“Wish him a happy birthday for me. Will ye do that?”

“I’ll relay the message, but I assure ye, this birthday will be anythin’ but happy for him. Take this,” he said, looking nervously back to the castle once more before handing her an envelope that was sealed with a wax stamp. Her name was written on the front of it.

“What is it?” she asked, perusing it, as North impatiently turned the horse in a full circle.

“It’s from Ian,” he said. “He wanted ye to have it.”

“I find it odd he didna give it to me himself.” She was going to open it, but Finn stopped her.