The fox, p.9
The Fox, page 9
“I’ll wrap yer hands, lass,” Lyall Ross, Caelan’s uncle, said holding up strips of cloth.
“There is no need.” Glynis held out her hand. “I can do it myself. Everyone should be concentrating on Caelan.”
He ignored her and began to wrap the cloth around her hand. “The healer has been sent for. My nephew will recover. He always does.”
“Is he prone to fevers?” Glynis asked looking past him to the house.
“Aye, he is. Since a lad, he’s never done well with wet weather. I believe he was sick not that long ago. The rain and cold affected him this time.”
Too weary to argue, she lifted the other hand, when he finished with the first. “Thank ye.”
“Go see about food and rest. Ye will feel better after.”
The words almost made her laugh. Glynis shook her head. “How can I feel better after everything I’ve done? Caelan is sick because of me.” When a sob stuck in her throat, she gulped back it. “I am nothing but trouble.”
“Get in the house,” her aunt appeared in the doorway. “Ye must bathe and change clothes before ye too get sick.”
Glynis threw herself to the floor and wrapped her arms around her aunt’s legs. “I am so very sorry. Please forgive me.”
Her aunt tugged at her until she stood. “Glynis, I understand ye and what ye’ve been through. I’ve told ye to stop and think before doing something. Ye are much too impulsive.”
“And now Caelan is very ill because of me.” She sobbed covering her face with both hands.
Her aunt took her hands from her face. He is awake and asking for food. Being out in the weather must have helped break the fever.”
“Food?” Glynis sniffed loudly. “I will make a hearty soup for him.”
“Ye will do no such thing,” Maisie said. “I am boiling water for a warm bath for both ye and Mister Caelan. Now go on, miss. Go to yer bedchamber to wait.”
The woman pushed a cup of something hot into her hands and gave her a gentle push toward the door. Unsure if there was something else she should do, Glynis peered over her shoulder to her aunt, who’d begun stirring a pot.
After bathing and having her hands salved and wrapped, Glynis fell into a deep sleep. She woke to find it was dark outside. Her stomach growled in hunger and she slid from the bed.
The moon gave enough light that with the help of the candle she carried, Glynis could see clearly. Not wishing to start a fire, she ate leftover cold meat with a slice of bread. Cool ale completed her simple meal and then she walked back out of the kitchen.
Caelan’s room was just a door down, she needed to check to ensure he was indeed recovered. Her aunt could’ve said he was to ease her conscience.
Not wishing to alarm him, she turned the knob and opened the door slowly. Caelan was asleep. Head lolled to the side, his face was soft and his lips slightly parted. A soft snore sounded as she tiptoed in.
From the lack of a wet sheen on his brow and his flushed cheeks, it was evident he no longer had a fever. Instead, he breathed normally, his chest lifting and lowering with each breath.
Glynis studied him for a long moment, pictures of the night before forming. Her cheeks burned at the thought of what they’d done. She’d never be the same again, she was sure of it.
Another thing she was sure of was that never would she find another lover who would make her feel like Caelan.
“Goodness,” she whispered and hurried from the room.
Two days later, the routine of men on patrol and seeing about their meals kept them very busy. Her aunt remained perturbed with her and Glynis did not blame her.
The third morning came along with it a light drizzle. Glynis trudged to the dining room and was astounded to see everyone already eating.
“I am glad ye got plenty of rest,” Cait called out with a bright smile. “Come sit next to me. We must discuss plans to go to the village. Hopefully, the weather will get better.”
“Ye should not be going anywhere,” Stuart said with a frown. “What if something happens while ye are on the road.”
Aunt Mariel huffed. “We will be riding in the carriage. It will be safe.”
Noting that Caelan was not at the table, Glynis wondered if he remained abed. “Where is Caelan?” she whispered to Cait.
“In his bedchamber,” she replied in an equally low tone. “Lady Mariel will not allow him out of bed yet.”
“He wishes to speak to ye,” her aunt said, obviously eavesdropping on their conversation. “Go see him as soon as ye finish yer meal.”
Despite being hungry, the food lost its luster. What would Caelan say to her? Would he blame her for being ill? It was without a doubt her fault, and she would apologize profusely.
“Aunt Mariel, I wish to discuss returning to Barra. I have been a horrendous guest. It is best I return home.”
When Darach gave her a pointed look, it was discomfiting. “I suggest ye speak to Caelan first.” He held her gaze long enough for her to realize he knew of what happened between them at the cottage.
Immediately her throat went dry, and a burning heat traveled from her neck up to her face. Thankfully, the cook walked in to place a platter of meat in the center of the table taking everyone’s attention.
Everyone focused on the food except for Darach who looked at her again.
“I think I should go see about Caelan,” Glynis whispered and pushed back from the table.
Her aunt gave her a quizzical look. “Ye should eat, dear.”
“I will. In a few moments. I cannot rest until I apologize to him.” Before anyone could stop her, Glynis hurried out of the room and down the side corridor to where Caelan was.
“Enter,” he said, after she knocked twice. When she pushed the door open, she found Caelan sitting up in bed with a ledger on his lap. He looked up and his brows rose.
“Good morning, Glynis.”
“Ye looked flushed, perhaps ye should not be working on accounts, but instead resting,” Glynis said not moving from the door.
With a shrug, he closed the ledger and placed it on the table beside the bed. “Stepmother insists on the raging fire in the hearth and the curtains drawn to keep the warmth in. It is suffocatingly hot in here.”
The room was indeed hot. Glynis went to a window and pulled the curtain open. Immediately the room became lighter. “I will close it before I leave.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Always rebellious.”
Emboldened by his playful mood, she went to the bed and sat on the edge. “I must apologize to ye. I am so very sorry to have caused ye to be sick.”
“It seems I have a weak constitution. I do not think to have fully recovered from being sick from a fortnight ago. I have tried to convince my stepmother that the cold is better for me than this heat. But after what happened, she will never believe me.”
Glynis met his gaze, doing her best to push the pictures of him bereft of clothing from her mind. “Nonetheless, I caused this. For ye to be in bed recovering. Say ye will forgive me.”
“We must speak about what happened at the cottage. That is more important than this constant need of yers to apologize. There could be repercussions for our actions. I take full responsibility.”
Glynis bit her bottom lip. He sounded so English in the way he spoke that for a moment, she wished he continue. His accent was so soothing and soft.
“If ye are referring to the intimacy. There is no need to feel responsible. Our passions overtook our senses. In the both of us.”
“Glynis,” Caelan said in a firm tone. “What if ye are with child?”
She waved her hand dismissively. “Ye have to do something specific for that to happen. I am sure ye did not.”
“I am very sure, I did,” Caelan replied with a slight lift to the corners of his lips. “Ye are aware that when a man spills his seed it is what can cause the forming of a bairn. Are ye not?”
Her eyes rounded of their own volition. “Ye did that? Oh, goodness. I had no idea.” She got to her feet. “I am sure that is not true.”
“What specifically did ye think a man does to produce a child?”
Mind awhirl, she tried to remember what the young man she’d lost her virginity to had said. He’d said it would not happen because he held back. A maid had once told her, she had to remain on her back, legs up in the air to become with child. Another had said it only happened when a man loved the woman.
“Ye do not love me. Therefore, it will not happen. And I did not remain on my back with my legs…” She stopped speaking when he fought not to laugh out loud.
“This is not funny,” Glynis snapped. “Ye are trying to scare me. To teach me a lesson.”
“I am not,” Caelan said. “We will marry swiftly. It is best. I will speak to my stepmother about it.”
Glynis leaned forward and glared at him. “I am going home to Barra. I will not accept a marriage out of duty. When I marry it will be to someone who loves me, and I love.” She stalked to the door only to gasp when Caelan took her arm and whirled her around.
He’d gotten from the bed so quickly that it was astonishingly clear he felt much better. His blue gaze was dark with annoyance. “I will not father a bastard. Ye and I will marry and that is all there is to it.”
“Ye wish I had never come here. Admit it.” Glynis looked into his eyes needing to hear the truth.
“Aye, I do,” Caelan admitted. “At times, I do. However, we cannot change what has happened.”
Despite admiring his honesty, her heart sank. She was a walking disaster.
Chapter Ten
“I take it yer talk did not go well.” Darach stood at the doorway through which Glynis had just left.
“She is confused. I am sure things will work out,” Caelan said, despite the fact he wasn’t at all sure what the unpredictable woman would do next.
His brother chuckled. “Ye have no idea, do ye? I can say that if ye marry, it will be interesting to see what she does from one day to the next.”
“Aye, I have no idea where she is at the moment or what she is doing. I have never known a more perplexing woman.”
“Cait and mother are taking her to visit Bree in town.”
Darach went to the window and pushed it open. “Why is it so hot in here?” He turned to the hearth and shook his head. “Mother.”
“She will be cross seeing the window open.” Caelan inhaled deeply. “It feels good to breathe fresh air.”
His brother paced in thought. “I leave for the keep tomorrow. Perhaps it is best for ye, mother, and Glynis to return with me. There is much to be done. I am sure mother will wish to write the MacNeil’s so they can travel for the wedding.”
“Aye,” Caelan said getting up from the chair he sat upon and going to the window. “This is not at all what I planned.”
When Darach chuckled, Caelan narrowed his eyes. “Ye are enjoying this, aren’t ye?”
“Aye,” Darach acknowledged. “Of all of us, I was sure ye would not marry unless it was well planned out. That my sweet cousin seduced the infallible Caelan Ross is… well, it’s very entertaining.”
“Glad that I can be of service to ye, Laird.” Caelan motioned to the door. “I am in dire need of tea.”
Thankfully the women were already outside and climbing into the carriage that would take them to the village, so his stepmother could not fuss over him being out of his bedchamber.
“Mister Caelan,” Grace said as she hurried over to him. “Yer stepmother insisted ye remain abed today. I am to ensure it.”
He walked past the well-meaning woman to the wooden box he kept loose tea in. “I will not tell if ye don’t.”
In the dining room, Stuart, Artair, and Darach studied a revised map of the surrounding lands. A man, who he assumed was the local mapmaker spoke in low tones while sketching on the large parchment.
Stuart met Caelan’s gaze and then looked to the map. “I do believe the threat is gone for now. However, Cairn is out there, and we must find him.”
“He will take time to lick his wounds, and it will take time for him to make another plan. However, we cannot let our guard down,” Artair said staring down at the map.
“Just when I think we can rest easy, another threat raises its ugly head,” Darach said with a sigh. “We must ensure the guards are extra vigilant.”
Artair scratched his bearded chin. “I will ride with a pair of men to each outpost and speak to the men personally. Although I am sure we have good guards, it is easy to become complacent over time.”
“That is a good idea,” Darach said. “Go to the northern regions. Gideon visits his lands often, but I am not so sure it is to ensure safety, but more to get away from a persistent woman.”
Caelan chuckled. “Is the widow still in pursuit?”
“Aye,” Darach replied. “I will have to intervene soon. There is something about her I do not trust.”
“Be with care, Artair,” Stuart said. “Especially in the area directly north. There has been very little interaction between us and them. The village there is of a good size. I fear it would be easy for someone to blend in.”
“How is yer leg?” Caelan asked.
Their cousin shrugged. “Better.”
“Anton should return today or tomorrow at the latest. Let us wait to see what he has to report.”
As if summoned, there were voices as someone came through the back kitchen door. Anton entered, looking weary.
“Just when I was about to give up and return. I saw him. He was speaking to two men just outside the village. They mounted and headed further south to the shoreline.” Anton paused for breath. “I tried to beat them there to alert guards to stop them. But they could not find them.”
Every one of their faces turned to stone. The man had escaped once again.
“I have an idea,” Darach said. “But I must get back to the keep. I will speak to mother and convince her it is time to return,” Darach continued, looking directly at Caelan. “After all, there is a wedding to prepare for.”
His brothers and cousin all looked to him and Caelan’s chest squeezed. “I am not sure how I feel about it.”
Stuart cleared his throat. “Ye do not have to marry her if ye are not sure. It would be a great mistake.”
“If she is with child, I will never allow for any bairn of mine to be born a bastard,” he replied meaning it.
Darach nodded. “I understand. She is family. I think it is best ye marry the lass either way.”
“I plan to,” Caelan said. “In the meantime. I suppose we should return and wait.”
The village was picturesque, and Glynis immediately fell in love. It wasn’t so different from the villages on Barra, but here the people were warm and welcoming. As they walked through the newly built market, she could not believe the abundance of seafood and other items the merchants sold.
“Where do all these people come from?” she asked breathlessly as she and Cait managed to get through a crowd of women sifting through linens at a well-stocked stall.
“From the surrounding areas to the north and south. Since a horrible constable was sent away, people feel free to come here. Ye would be astounded if ye saw the difference from when we first arrived.” Cait smiled widely when a child rushed to hand her a beautifully crafted clay pot. “From me mum for ye,” the lad said then raced away.
“Goodness,” Cait said looking across to nod at a woman who waved back.
“That is the sweetest thing I have ever seen,” Glynis exclaimed. “I would love to live here.”
It was true, she could see herself living there. Of course, Cait and Stuart would have to extend the invitation.
“Ye are welcome to remain here with us as long as ye wish. It would be lovely,” Cait said.
Glynis hoped with all her heart that Cait was sincere in her invitation and not just being polite. She’d wait and ask again when they returned to the house. If Stuart and Cait did not mind her staying, she would.
“I do believe the meal should be ready,” Bree Ross said. “I told the cook to ensure to have my meat pies baked by now.”
Bree and Dougal’s house was near the village and within walking distance. However, with all their purchases, they had to climb back into the carriage to travel there.
Letting out a long sigh, Glynis peered at the passing scenery. “It is so very peaceful here.”
“Now ye see why I love visiting Cait and Stuart,” her aunt said with a soft smile.
Glynis nodded. “It is a beautiful place.”
“I told Glynis she is welcome to remain here,” Cait said brightly. “I do mean it.” She met Glynis’ gaze. “Ye can decide.”
Her aunt gave her a warm look. “If it is what ye wish Glynis, I have no objection. It would be good for Cait to have company, especially with a bairn on the way.”
Her aunt shrugged. “Of course, ye will have to send a message to yer parents about it.”
“I would love nothing more,” Glynis exclaimed with a wide smile. Meeting Cait’s soft gaze she said, “Thank ye.”
“Cait could use the company,” Bree said. “Soon she will not be able to come to the village or leave the house.”
“It is settled then,” Cait said. “Ye will stay with us after Lady Mariel leaves.”
Her aunt chuckled. “I may return with Darach. I must see about Beatrice and Isobel. So many grandchildren, I will be busy ensuring they all get to know me well.”
“I am so happy for ye,” Bree said with shiny eyes. “It is a wonderful life to spend with yer grandchildren, who will grow to love ye abundantly.” She shook her head. “I can only pray that my sons marry and move closer so that I too can enjoy my grandchildren.”
“After a while, I will ask for money from my family so that I can purchase land and build my own cottage,” Glynis said. “I would love to be independent.”
“What are ye saying child,” her aunt said laughing. “Ye will be married and surrounded by bairns. I just know it. I am convinced Caelan just may be the man.”
Her eyes widened. Was it noticeable that she and he had been intimate? What if what he said was right and she was already with child? “I am sure he is not.”
