by Alisa Adams
“I love ye, Caden Zahrah Keith,” she happily whispered back.
Caden leaned in and kissed her long, lingeringly, and with a promise and hunger that she returned with her whole heart.
Then he too walked quietly out the door of her bedchamber.
11
Aunt Hexy was in Cat’s room, changing the bed linens when Rhona walked in with Aunt Agnes behind her.
Rhona pulled the mask off her face and looked at Aunt Hexy angrily. “What are ye doing in here, Hextilda?” she demanded of her.
Cat immediately started to hurry forward, but then checked herself and pretended to hobble weakly.
Cat had actually eaten healthy food that morning and had a warm, full night’s sleep in Caden’s arms. And she had not slept on poisoned bed linens! She also had plenty of fresh, pure water to drink. She felt wonderful!
But she could not let Rhona know this!
She hobbled pitifully toward Rhona, who shrank back from her. “I asked Hextilda to change the sheets, Rhona,” Cat said, making her voice sound hoarse. “I was sick last evening, and I am afraid the linens are soiled.” She cast her eyes down, but not after catching a glimpse of Rhona’s expression.
Rhona had looked pleased for just the slightest moment before she hid her expression. But not before Cat had seen it there, in her eyes.
“Very well, Hextilda may wash them and hang them to dry.” She narrowed her eyes and raised her chin defiantly. “But I purchased them just for ye, with me own money because they are so very beautiful. They must go back on yer bed so ye can enjoy them,” she said sternly to Catriona.
“The cream linens are fine, Rhona. I dinnae know that ye purchased them yerself, how thoughtful of ye. I do rather like the change, however,” Cat said to her and then turned to Hexy, who was hurrying along with putting the cream linens on the bed. “There is no rush to get the green ones back on my bed. When they are dry, put them on Rhona’s bed for her to enjoy their beauty. They are hers, after all.” Cat turned and smiled at Rhona. She held her hand up to stop Rhona from saying anything. “Please Rhona, it is the least I can do for you. You have been so good to me. You enjoy the beautiful linens that you purchased. I insist.” Cat stared hard at Rhona before looking behind her to Aunt Agnes who stood in the doorway with a tray.
“Good morning, Agnes,” Cat said. She walked weakly back to a chair and slowly sat down.
Aunt Agnes bustled past Rhona and set a tray down on the table beside Cat’s chair. The tray had a bowl of green porridge and a cup of tea. Aunt Agnes gave Cat a meaningful look with her eyes.
Cat stared at the tray. She looked around the room for the tiny dog. It was sniffing around the bed where Aunt Hexy was working.
“Duke!” Cat called out. The tiny dog spun and looked at her with its tail wagging. Cat tapped her lap and the small dog ran eagerly to her and jumped up into her lap. Cat stroked her hands over its tiny, fawn-colored head and body. Duke let out a sigh and licked her face before settling down in her lap for a nap. Cat sighed in relief. She was afraid the dog would insist on staying by Aunt Hexy.
“Where did that thing come from?” demanded Rhona. “Is it a dog?”
Cat raised her chin and spoke imperiously to the housekeeper. “Aye, it is. A betrothal gift from Caden. I am most happy with him,” she said with a broad smile to her housekeeper. Then she bent her head back to the dog as she petted his tiny head.
“’Tis not good tae have it here. Ye are sick!” Rhona sputtered.
“The wee dog gives me tremendous comfort,” Cat said quietly. And indeed she found that this was true. It gave her peace to sit quietly and just pet the dog.
“Weel, I dinnae like it. Eat yer porridge and drink yer tea. Then ye should be getting back into yer bed milady! Ye should not be up and aboot like this!” Rhona said crossly. She folded her arms and waited for Cat to take a bit of porridge or a sip of her tea.
Cat looked at the tray. She knew she did not want to eat that green porridge. She lifted the teacup thinking that may be safe, but she saw Aunt Agnes’s eyes widen.
Cat sniffed it and lowered it just enough so that Duke could sniff it as well. The little dog pulled away with a quiet growl and sneezed.
“The tea is too hot, Rhona. Perhaps I will wait,” Cat said and set it back down. “I do not really care for anything this morning, anyway.”
Rhona narrowed her eyes and stalked over to Cat. “Ye know ye must eat, or at least drink some tea!”
“No, thank ye Rhona. ’Tis too hot right now,” Cat insisted. When Rhona just stared at her with furrowed brows Cat said, “You try it, Rhona. It is indeed much too hot,” she insisted.
Rhona signaled to Agnes. “You! Agnes, Aggie, whatever yer name is! Take a sip of the tea and show her that it is not tae hot to drink!” she ordered.
“Rhona!” Cat exclaimed. “That is not necessary,” she said crisply.
“Ye made it too hot auld woman. Take a sip and see for yourself!” Rhona demanded of Agnes, ignoring Cat’s objections. “Go on!” she added when Agnes hesitated. “Or ye’ll be looking for another position somewhere else without a referral from this house!”
“Rhona!” Cat said loudly.
But Rhona ignored her once again, her eyes staring coldly at Agnes.
Aunt Hexy froze as she put the last sheet on, watching Aggie.
Aunt Agnes reached out and took the teacup. Her hands trembled slightly as she slowly brought it to her mouth.
Aunt Hexy moved a small step forward. The grey hairs on her head vibrated with her nervous trembling.
Cat gathered the dog into her arms and pushed herself up, out of the chair.
“Rhona, you will not speak to her that way. I forbid it!” she seethed angrily in indignation for Aunt Agnes. “Ye do not have to drink my tea. You may put it down!”
Rhona’s eyes flashed angrily to Cat and then at Aggie.
The look was so intensely evil that Cat shrank back, just slightly.
Duke started growling and barking at the housekeeper while showing his teeth. His fur rose in hackles along his back.
Aunt Agnes quickly stepped forward, blocking the housekeeper from Cat. “Never you mind, I’ll have some. ’Tis just tea after all, though yes, it may be too hot for ye, Milady Catriona,” Aggie said. She closed her eyes and took a sip. “Mmm, lovely,” she said and with shaking hands set it back down.
Rhona looked at Cat with a victorious smile. “There, you see! Drink the tea and eat that porridge!” At that, she turned and stalked back out of the room.
Cat spun from the doorway that Rhona had just walked through to Aunt Agnes. She was holding the growling dog in her arms. Duke was still barking at the empty doorway.
Hextilda hurriedly shuffled over to Aunt Agnes’s side.
“Spit it oot, Aggie!” Hexy said worriedly. “Quickly, Aggie, quickly!” Hexy said urgently.
Aunt Agnes grabbed up the tea saucer from the tray and spit the tea into the saucer. Then she delicately wiped her mouth with a shaking hand.
Hexy was staring at her wide-eyed with fear. “Weel? Do ye feel sick?”
Cat murmured, “It does not happen that quickly, Aunt Hexy.” Cat looked at her Aunt Agnes. “Why?” Cat whispered. “Why did ye drink it? I was aboot to send her away, Aunt,” she whispered.
Aunt Agnes looked down at her great-niece. “Nay, she would not have left.” She cupped Cat’s cheek with her large, wrinkled hand. “I could not let her force you to drink it, Catriona,” she said softly. “I am old and have lived a very long, very lucky life. I should have come to visit you when you became sick the first time. But I did not and I am ashamed. I am here now. For you.” She took a breath. “You have a wedding today, and so much ahead of you.” Her smile trembled as she looked down at her niece. Then she raised her head, pulling her hand away. “Besides, I have learned some tricks while holding that pipe in the corner of my mouth.”
Cat stared at her giant aunt. This woman had terrified her since she was a young girl. Tears spilled down
her cheeks at what her aunt had just done for her and what she had said to her. She placed her hand on her aunt’s arm and her aunt patted her hand as she smiled tremulously.
Aunt Hexy interrupted them by shoving a cup of water into Aunt Agnes’s hand. “That’s all vera well and sich a lovely moment, but ye need tae stop yer blethering, Aggie! Take some water, roll it in yer mouth, and then spit it oot. Hurry, Aggie!”
“Och, I knew you cared about me, you wee old woman!” Aunt Agnes said as she took the water with a grin at her old friend.
Cat backed away, holding the little dog tightly to her as she stroked him to calm him down, or perhaps it was more for herself. “Aunt Hexy is correct, you must rinse the poison out. Please, Aunt Agnes!”
Cat was moving slowly, stunned that Aunt Agnes had drank poison meant for her. She watched as Aunt Agnes rinsed her mouth, and then at Aunt Hexy’s urging a second and third time. The two old women were trading insults but Cat was not really listening. She could not get over Aunt Agnes’s sacrifice for her. She sank back down into the chair, hugging little Duke tightly to her.
When the two aunts were done teasing each other they suddenly realized Cat was no longer speaking. They turned as one to see her in the chair watching them with tear-filled eyes.
Aunt Hexy came over to her. “Noo then, enough of that. I am sure those are happy tears for your wedding day!” Hexy looked over at Aggie. “Come Aggie, let’s help Catriona get washed and shiny for her wedding to that devilishly handsome Highlander Prince of hers!”
Cat looked up at them. A thought had suddenly struck her. “I have nothing to wear but this chemise and my bed jacket. Rhona took all my clothes!”
Aunt Agnes bustled forward. “Never you mind that. Kaithria and Gillis have thought of everything!”
Lady Kaithria Zahrah MacKay and Lady Gillis Ross stared up at the lovely house. It truly was almost a pink color. It was a smaller square stone structure framed by two tall, narrow turrets. The stones sparkled in the sun coming off the waters of the bay.
Kaithria’s brother came walking up behind them.
Kaithria turned to smile at him. She was so happy that they were reunited after all these years. She was also glad that he favored their mother with his sun-kissed skin and light, tawny, brownish-gold eyes. His straight black hair was glossy and blew back from his angular face and strong, square jaw. He is an incredibly handsome man, Kaithria thought to herself. The one thing he had inherited from their father was Ronan Keith’s large, muscular build. Caden Zahrah Keith looked every bit like the Prince of Morocco that he was, as well as the only son of the laird of the Keith clan.
“I am so happy for ye, Brother,” Kaithria said softly as her smile glowed with happiness. “My best friend has captured me brother’s heart!”
Caden took the steps to the castle two at a time and smiled down into his sister’s face, so very like his own, but her eyes were more golden than his. He kissed her lightly on the cheek.
“Hush, Sister. A man’s heart is his own. I gave my heart freely to Catriona.” He smiled broadly as he looked eagerly toward the front of Sanside House. “Is she ready yet?”
“Gillis and I helped her dress. The aunts will be bringing her down momentarily,” Kaithria said softly. “Have patience, dear brother. Go stand with the pastor and keep him company. Aunt Agnes terrified him earlier.” She smiled at him. “We will bring Cat to ye.” She reached up and kissed his cheek.
Caden stared down at her in surprise as he touched his cheek where she had kissed him. “I have missed out on so much. My heart is full of joy that my little sister is back in my life.”
“Catriona has opened yer heart Brother, not I,” Kaithria said with a soft smile. “Go now. I hear them coming.”
The pastor from the village was waiting on the grassy crest looking over the bay. Caden walked over the grass to stand by him. The pastor uttered some pleasantries to Caden but Caden did not hear. He was looking up at Sanside house and happened to spot Rhona and her brother standing at a window, watching. The expressions on their faces froze Caden’s heart briefly.
Anger was there. Pure, furious anger.
Rhona had declined to join them. Still, she watched from the house that was not hers.
Caden heard the ladies chattering happily and looked towards the doors of Sanside House. There at the top of the steps was his bride surrounded by the two aunts, Kaithria, and Lady Gillis Ross. Catriona was dressed in a creamy gown with green leaves and flowers embroidered all over it. A lovely form-fitting green overdress was on top of the cream gown, split open at the front to reveal the cream embroidered dress beneath.
Caden thought she looked like a ray of sunshine on a field of flowers. Her short golden curls shone in the sun and blew around her face in the soft breeze coming off the bay as she walked towards him.
Kaithria and Gillis were on either side of her, holding her elbows as she walked the distance to the grassy hill. Behind her was Aunt Agnes, towering over her from behind, and beside Agnes was Aunt Hextilda with Duke trotting beside her.
Cat was still weak, but she had been nibbling steadily all morning. She had told her friends and the aunts that she had felt like a wilted, dying flower that had finally been watered and was springing back up to new life. When she had come out of the doors of Sanside House she had spread her arms wide and declared she was the happiest person in all of the Highlands—all of Scotland, even—as she spun around with her face uptilted to the sun with a smile on her lips.
“This is truly the most beautiful of beautiful days!” Cat had said to them.
As she walked towards Caden she thought he looked like a prince standing there on the top of the grassy hill overlooking the bay. His kilt blew back from his powerful legs and his white linen shirt only made his skin look more bronze and his chest broader than any man she knew. His straight hair shone glossily in the sun as the sea breeze played with it. Even from a distance, she could see his eyes intently staring at her with a look of love and happiness.
The marriage ceremony was quiet; full of solemn words of caring, respect, loyalty, and love for one another. The couple held tight to one another's hands as they began to say their vows.
Cat’s weakness and the warm sun threatened to overtake her. She began to panic as she looked up into Caden’s eyes.
He saw her face go white as her hands trembled violently in his.
“Catriona?” he whispered.
“I am afraid I am going to faint, Caden!” she whispered back as she slowly wilted to the grass.
Kaithria and Gillis and the aunts rushed forward, but Caden was quicker. He put an arm around Cat as she sank down in the grass, still holding her hand as his other arm guided her to a sitting position on the cool grass. Her lovely skirts pooled around her as Caden knelt before her, never letting go of her hand. He looked up to the pastor to continue and when the pastor asked Cat to repeat the words, Cat softly said them as she looked into Caden’s eyes. Then Caden said his vows. But when he was done, he swallowed and continued as he looked deeply into Cat’s eyes, adding words of his own.
“I will always catch you, my fierce heart.” He smiled softly. “I am on bended knee once again, pledging my loyalty and my love, forever, for as long as we both shall live,” he whispered as he placed a gold band that his grandfather had given to him, instructing that it only be placed on a finger one time, and that one time was on the finger of the woman he chose to be his wife. The band had Moroccan scrolling going all the way around. It caught the sunlight and glittered brightly.
Catriona looked down at the ring on her finger and then she reached forward to caress his face.
The pastor finished. It was done.
Catriona was now Catriona Keith.
Caden kissed her sweetly and then helped her to stand.
She did a little dance in place as she looked happily up at her new husband. Then she stilled.
He was staring down at her so silently.
A worried look formed on her face. �
�What is it, my love? she asked fearfully.
Caden Zahrah Keith was crying.
Caden grabbed her face with his hands. Holding her gently, reverently, he bent down and took her mouth in a long, sweet kiss. Then he pulled away and smiled at her.
“I am crying because never in my life have I been so happy. I love you, Catriona, with all of my heart,” he said fervently. “I love your fierceness and your heart of gold. I will love you forever. I vow this, my wife,” he whispered gruffly and kissed her again.
Kaithria and Gillis could not help but to cheer as Aunt Agnes and Aunt Hexy joined in.
A loud hee-hawing and drawn-out whinny from the nearby paddocks could be heard as well as Iris added her voice to all the clamoring.
Caden and Catriona looked over to see Iris right there at the stone fence with her mouth wide open and her long mule teeth showing as she made happy whinnying, wheezing, braying noises. Her sister, Ivy, trotted over and joined in. The two huge mules overwhelmed the noise made by the humans. And then the old warhorses joined in, running and bucking happily while snorting and neighing and making an overall ruckus from their paddock.
No one minded.
They adjourned to the parlor where Catriona could rest a bit, though she argued that she had never felt better.
Aunt Hexy and Aunt Agnes had prepared a plate of bread, cheese, and meat for everyone, particularly Catriona, so she could continue getting her strength back. They drank water laced with the fine Scottish whiskey from Steil McKinnon’s distillery that Catriona had gotten when she first moved into Sanside House.
Caden went off to find more whiskey when they had finished the first bottle.
He did not come back.
12
It did not take long for Catriona to realize that something was amiss.
No one could tell her otherwise.