A year later
He'd caught her looking at him again. Her eyes scurried away but not before she caught a glimpse of a fleeting, and rare, grin.
James, the brother Maddie had just learned she had, was here for his tenth visit in as many weeks.
“So, the lass was taken, and her prince became enraged.”
Katie’s attention settled back on Maddie, who was telling a few clan children a tale.
“Suddenly, ‘twas like he grew ten feet tall!” Maddie extended her hands up in the air and the children awed. “And he had the strength of twenty men! He appeared more beast than man, and set out to find his princess.”
Katie laughed as Miriam came to stand next to her.
“I recall ye loving that tale as a wee lass.”
Katie glanced at her mother, her smile faltering.
Aye, as a child she had. She’d envisioned herself with her prince who would keep her from harm and love her always. Now, as a woman having experienced the worst of men, she knew better.
“‘Tis just it. A tale, Mother.”
Miriam frowned. “One ye believed in once.”
Katie grimaced. “‘Twas before a few men decided that I was nothing more than a whore to be used.”
Miriam’s inhale was sharp and her wide eyes settled on Katie.
“Ye are nay a whore, Katherynne Ramsay.”
Katie looked away in anger. Her eyes landed on James again. Their gazes collided for a few moments, and she saw his eyes grow pensive and concerned.
Anger washed through her.
Had her fate not befallen her, she would feel free to show interest in James.
What man, especially one of his station, would want her?
She was a used woman. Everyone said that most of a woman’s value prior to marriage rested on her maidenhead.
Nay, she did not believe such foolishness, but she knew most men did.
Katie looked at her mother. She would not make the mistake of believing in tales that made women swoon with love and the urge to fulfill childhood reveries.
Those desires of the heart were no longer possible for her.
“What's amiss, lass? Men? Whore? This talk is nay like ye, Katie.”
Katie smiled and reached for her mother’s hands. “I apologize. I misspoke. If ye will excuse me, I need a bit of fresh air.”
Not waiting for an answer, she turned and walked out.
Maddie ended her time with the children and rushed to Miriam.
“What is the matter with Katie?”
Miriam’s sigh was heavy. “Truly, I'm nay certain. She has recovered greatly since the…the…”
Maddie reached out and rubbed her back.
“Well, she's recovered much, thanks to ye, Maddie. There are times when her laughter is as bright as it was before. Then there are times, like these, when she retreats from us. I'm afraid, however, that this is where her recovery will remain halted. My fear is that she willna better from here. I feel as if she believes she willna have a husband or children or experience other joys of life.”
Maddie grasped and squeezed Miriam's hands.
“Nay. We must believe that she will live a full life with precious moments that will bring her great happiness.”
They watched as James purposefully strode by. He nodded to them and it looked as if he followed Katie. Connor joined Miriam and Maddie. Placing his arms around Maddie, his hands protectively covered her round belly.
Miriam asked, “Is James leaving?”
Connor snorted and Maddie giggled. Kiel walked over.
“Have ye nay noticed that we see more and more of that mon? ‘Twould be easier if we just gave him a chamber up the stairs.”
Maddie slapped a hand on Connor’s arm. “‘Tis nay that often.”
Miriam smiled. “He continues to find her comely?”
Connor looked at his mother. “Comely? ‘Tis more than that, Mother. He's besotted by her, enchanted.”
Maddie sighed. “‘Tis wonderful.”
“Ye allow him unsupervised visits with her?”
Connor smiled at Kiel's naiveté. “Aye. For one, the way he looks at her, I’m nay sure he’d let a fly land on her nose much less place her in harm’s way. Two, Katie rejects him a bit, and ‘tis the truth, I enjoy seeing his large head taking a bruise or two.”
Maddie slapped his arm again “Connor Ramsay! My brother is a good mon.”
He kissed her head. “Ye just met themannay long ago, love. But aye, I agree with ye, though I still enjoy seeing themanknocked back a few. ‘Tis the truth he believes himself superior to all men and a gift to the fairer sex.”
Maddie laughed. “He has earned the repute, husband.”
They looked on as James walked behind Katie.
“Aye. He has. ‘Tis fortunate that I am his brother by marriage and nay a foe. Quite the ability he has with and without his sword.”
“Still, Connor. They canna be alone.”
Kiel continued with his objections but Connor waived them off.
“If ‘tis one thing Katie detests, is arrogance, a trait that runs in abundance in that man. Trust when I say that man will be good for her healing, and she will be good for his humbleness.” He looked over at Kiel with a grin.
“What?”
Connor slapped his shoulder and rubbed it.
“Behold that man there, young Kiel, for he will nay be only my brother by marriage, but yers as well one day.”