Page 6 of Highland Ghost

Chapter Three

“Why are the courtyards empty, and why are there no men on the battlements?” asked Caitlin hours later when they finally approached Gowrie Castle. She hadn’t said more than two words to him the entire trip, and this unnerved Ian. He had tried to make conversation and get her to like him, but the girl just kept to herself. Now, when he wanted her to remain quiet, she was asking him questions that he didn’t want to answer.

“It’s late. And rainin’,” he answered, seeing a few of his men who hadn’t been scared off by the ghosts. This castle was big and foreboding to begin with. In a storm, it was even worse. He only hoped Bernard and Sylvia wouldn’t make an appearance, but he knew storms were their favorite time to come out and haunt the place. “Let’s get inside.” He dismounted the horse, her body heat leaving him immediately and a cool breeze taking its place. He’d been enjoying riding pressed up against her. Her hair smelled like Highland heather, and her skin was as soft as spun silk. He really wanted to make this marriage work. He needed to fall in love with the lass, and for her to do the same with him in time.

Setting her on her feet, his hands lingered on her shoulders. The rain continued to pelt down, and her body started shaking once more.

“I’ll have a hot bath brought to the solar for ye,” he told her.

“Och, that’s no’ n-necessary,” she said, her teeth starting to chatter once again.

“It is. Now go inside with the others. I’ll be there momentarily.” He walked away to speak to his cousin. “Finn, do ye see the stablemaster?” he mumbled.

“I dinna see much of anyone,” answered Finn.

“Neither do I. The lass is already askin’ too many questions. I need to stay with her inside in case our unwelcome ghostly visitors decide to make an appearance.”

“What about the horses?” asked Finn.

“Ye’ll have to rub them down, dry them and feed them.”

“By myself? That will take quite some time.”

Ian spotted Nash and North heading toward him.

“I dinna see yer stable hands,” said Nash, looking around.

“It’s because of the storm,” Ian answered. “Plus, they didna expect me to return so soon.”

“We’ll give ye a hand with the horses,” offered North.

“Finn will show ye were to stable them,” said Ian. “I am goin’ to take the lassies and bairns inside out of the rain.” Ian turned and left, seeing the girls already heading up the stairs and entering the door leading to the great hall, not waiting for him. He ran ahead of them, sneaking past, stopping at the door. “Allow me a minute to make sure everything is in order,” he said.

“But it’s rainin’ out here and our children are cold and hungry.” Kellina pushed past him, with Matilda on her heels. They both cradled their babies against their chests.

“Caitlin,” he said, taking his betrothed’s arm. She turned and looked up at him curiously with her big brown eyes.

“What is it?” she asked. “Is somethin’ the matter?”

He looked back at the door to the castle and let out a deep breath. Wanting nothing more than to tell her the truth, he decided he just couldn’t do that right now. If he were marrying a brash lass like Kellina, he would have mentioned the situation to her already, and it probably wouldn’t have mattered. But Caitlin had just started to seem as if she were becoming more relaxed around him. She acted afraid of her own shadow, and he didn’t want her frightened of him, or of anything else. Mayhap after a hot bath, she’d be in the right mood for him to even mention Bernard and Sylvia. Then again, he still contemplated not mentioning them until after they were wed. Bid the devil, he didn’t know what to do anymore.

“I – I hope ye’ll like it here at Gowrie Castle. Bein’ my wife . . . and all. I promise, I’ll protect ye and that ye dinna need to be frightened of anythin’ . . . or anyone.”

“Thank ye,” she said, the corners of her mouth turning up into a slight smile. “It makes me feel so much better to hear ye say that.”

“It does? Why?” he asked, not sure what she meant.

“It makes me feel protected, and that ye really care about me. I had my doubts about ye when I first saw ye at the church, but I feel better now.” She turned and entered the castle, making Ian feel worse than he already did. Now, he just hoped nothing would happen tonight because he was wet and cold and hungry and tired. God’s eyes, all he wanted was a quiet castle and a good night’s sleep.

He stepped inside, seeing that his steward, Ewan, was lighting the wall torches. He breathed a sigh of relief.

“Ewan, thank guidness,” he called out. “I didna expect to see ye here.”

“I only returned, my laird, because it’s my duty,” answered Ewan.

“Has anyone . . . else been seen?” asked Ian, looking around for the ghosts.

“It is odd that these corridors are so barren,” remarked Matilda. “It feels quite . . . eerie.”