Upon arriving at Balmurray Estate, Kaitla was escorted to a lovely suite of rooms. The short elderly butler groaned under her over-stuffed bags but when offered assistance, the bushy gray eyebrows arched to the top of his baldhead. A curt “I think not!” snorted from the ruffled Hobart settled any further questions, and he continued to waddle stubbornly to her rooms beneath the weight of the suitcases.
The suite of rooms was open and airy. French doors opening to a veranda over-looking finely manicured flowerbeds and a tiny pond in the distance with a set of swans circling the surface. Sheer gauzy curtains floated in the breeze, silently beckoning Kaitla to go outside and enjoy the beautiful day. It took a great deal of will power to turn away from the soul-cleansing vista to unpack bags and prepare to size up the project ahead.
Glancing about the room, Kaitla slowly took in her surroundings with pleasure. The bureau by the bathroom door was piled high with an assortment of fresh linens, towels and lavender scented soaps. The dressing table on the other side of the room sported a mirror and frilly lace skirt, reminding Kaitla of furnishings from the Victorian era. The huge four-postered bed looked inviting, loaded with pillows and covered with a silky comforter.
Having weathered the six-month quarantine period better then Kaitla had anticipated, Tobias was settled on the over-stuffed loveseat in one corner of the room, industriously cleaning his coat. Since Scotland is one of the countries virtually free of rabies, a strict six-month quarantine period is required of all incoming pets. Kaitla had hated the idea of being separated from Tobias for so long, but there had been no other way around it. Perhaps a bit irrational when it came to the cat, Kaitla had insisted on staying at an inn within walking distance of the quarantine facility to be able to visit with him several times a day. Since she was officially in the employ of Mrs. Balmurray but not yet ready to start the murals, she had used this extra time to study the countryside, developing several rough drafts she planned to present to her agitated employer.
At first, her patron had been quite frustrated at Kaitla’s stubbornness over remaining close to the cat, sending several scathing telegrams to Nettie and even one or two to Kaitla herself. But strangely enough, she had still never agreed to a meeting to discuss the project or even meet Kaitla, --always complaining of an over-booked schedule or feeling too ill at the time. Even though she made no bones of the fact that she preferred for Kaitla to reside on the estate; she had reluctantly sent her servant by weekly to take care of any of Kaitla’s bills. Upon Tobias’ release from jail, the servant was also quickly dispatched to gather them up and move them to the estate.
After unpacking a few of her things and settling into the cozy rooms, Kaitla quickly donned her work clothes consisting of a favorite pair of paint spattered jeans and a plain white tee shirt also sporting shades of previous works. Thus attired and ready to get to business, Kaitla rang for the butler, who escorted the cat and his mistress to the first room on the project list where they now lay flat in the middle of the floor.
“Well, Tobias, shall we start with a green wash or should we lean more towards a skyscape for this room?” The half-closed yellow eyes barely focused with boredom and the only answer received was a flip of black tail and a yawn. “Thanks, Tobias. Try to control your enthusiasm,” retorted Kaitla sarcastically.
“An’ is it quite usual for Americans to ask instructions from their pets?” asked a deep voice with a soft Scot’s burr. Thinking herself quite alone with the cat, Kaitla jumped and quickly flipped over to all fours, leaping up to find herself facing the owner of the melodic voice. Leaning against the archway with his arms across his chest, his right foot carelessly crossed over the left was a dark haired man with an unnerving air about him. Well over six feet tall, broad chested and smiling mischievously, the dark gray eyes seemed to reach into her soul as he watched her agitation with amusement. Hypnotized by the piercing eyes, Kaitla wasn’t quite sure that the fluttering of her heart was entirely due to being startled.
“About as normal as sneaking up on people!” Kaitla retorted, cheeks flaming red. She stood with her hands on her hips, silently cursing her fair skin for displaying her emotions so readily.
“I beg your pardon, lass. Allow me to introduce m’self…I am Jared Balmurray, Mrs. Balmurray’s nephew.” Jared’s eye’s twinkled as he walked into the room. His stride reminded her of the sleek walk of a panther, smooth and cautious as though approaching prey. “I really dinna mean to startle ye. But I had to find a way to distract ye from your wee friend there…And might I have the pleasure of knowin’ your name?” he purred.
“Kaitla…Kaitla Danann,” she replied cautiously, “I’m the artist your aunt commissioned to paint the estate.” Kaitla refrained from offering her hand for him to shake. He’d not be forgiven quite that easily for robbing her of her composure!
Tobias, on the other hand, was not quite so unforgiving. Slowly sauntering over to Jared, he placed his front paws on Jared’s knees, silently demanding to be picked up. Kaitla stared in shock. Tobias never let anyone touch him, let alone actually pick him up. Unknowing individuals were quickly educated with a low-throated growl or an extremely audible hiss if they even attempted to make physical contact. Tobias tolerated no one but Kaitla. But now here he was, cradled in Jared’s arms, contentedly purring as Jared scratched beneath his chin. His eyes closed in ecstasy as he flexed his front paws, stretching his toes first on the right paw and then on the left. She must not be the only one sensing something different about this Jared, she thought ruefully to herself.
Jared slowly looked up from the contented cat, smiling into her eyes, “Ye see? I can’t be too terribly bad if your associate here can stand me?” He carefully bent, placing the totally boneless Tobias gently on the floor. Straightening, he extended his hand in truce. “My auntie tells me ye’re quite the gifted one,” he nodded, waiting for Kaitla to complete the pact.
Reluctantly, Kaitla completed the handshake, “Thank you, I’m afraid I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting your aunt just yet.” Jared’s strong grasp was warm, friendly and definitely disturbing. Kaitla withdrew her hand as quickly as she could without seeming rude; positive she felt a surge of emotion coursing through his grip. Jared’s dark gray eyes seemed to be studying her intently, as a thoughtful grin played across his face.
Suddenly aware that he’d been staring, Jared cleared his throat nervously, “Well, ahh, auntie is quite anxious to meet with ye to see what ye shall suggest for her rooms.” Quickly regaining his composure, he gallantly offered Kaitla his arm, “But at present, she’s feelin’ a bit under the weather. That’s why she sent me ta’ welcome ye and offer ye some refreshment. Surely ye’d have something to eat and drink?”
Ignoring his extended arm, but still offering him a slight smile of encouragement, Kaitla scooped up the fickle cat and replied, “Why yes, I believe Tobias and I both would love some refreshments.”
Jared led the way through the tall archway into the next room. This room was also void of furniture or color of any kind; it was as though someone had simply not had the time or inclination to furnish the huge estate. The white marble floors were polished to a high sheen, the sunlight pouring through the tall casement windows almost blinding them as they walked past. Their footsteps echoed across the open chambers, creating the vague feeling that the entire house was an empty shell. Each room was much like the first, only differing slightly in size or shape. All were hollow pristine vessels waiting to be filled with color and life.
“Ah, here we are,” Jared announced, as he held open the glass door to the sunny veranda. “See what a fine repast Mr. Hobart has been kind enough to prepare for us.” Temptingly arranged on a spotless white table was the most elaborate “snack” Kaitla had ever seen. Cookies, pastries and cakes were creatively arranged in the center like small fortresses of sugared dwellings. On a cart to the side of the table was a glistening tea set, fine china cups, bottles of sparkling water, sodas, tall glasses and a bucket of ice.
Noting
only the two chairs at the table and the large amount of food, Kaitla glanced at Jared and asked, “All for us?” as she pointed at the banquet before them.
“Aye, weel, old Hobart does tend to overdo just a bit. Yer being an American has him a bit off his pace, I’d say. Ye see, he’s not quite sure what ye’re about.” Jared gallantly held out a chair, motioning for Kaitla to sit. As Kaitla scooted closer to the table she thought this job was turning out to be a bit more interesting then she had first anticipated. Creating landscapes inside a home was one thing; dealing with eccentric patrons and their handsome relatives was something else again.
“I’m afraid I’ve made a bad impression on Hobart,” she confessed, settling Tobias comfortably in her lap.
“How’s that?” inquired Jared as he opened the ice bucket and began filling a glass.
“Well, he seemed to be having trouble with all my gear when I arrived but when I tried to carry some of it, I believe it rather hurt his feelings.” She accepted the glass of ice and the bottle of sparkling water from Jared. As she was opening the bottle and filling the glass, it suddenly occurred to her to wonder how Jared had known exactly what she was going to ask for? As she set the bottle on the table and pondered this feat in her mind, she looked up into those piercing gray eyes and felt as though Jared somehow knew everything she was thinking.
But Jared simply smiled, as he arranged a cup of tea for himself. “Hobart is just a wee bit proud is all. He doesna’ wish anyone to think he can no longer take care of his own.” Jared frowned in concentration, as he attempted to free one of the sugar cubes wedged tightly in the bottom of the sugar bowl, “Ye see ---Hobart has been a faithful servant ta’ my family for more years then I can say. So, he’ll come ‘round. He just takes a bit ‘o getting used to.” He smiled triumphantly at Kaitla, as he finally broke loose a sugar cube and popped it deftly into his cup.
Quietly sipping her water as she observed Jared’s antics, Kaitla took a moment to fill her lungs with the clean refreshing air; returning Jared’s smile as the cool June breeze gently caressed her face. Admiring the graceful willows swaying in the breeze, she turned to watch the journey of a meandering butterfly, dipping and circling in the air. “It’s so beautiful here,” she sighed, smiling at the butterfly’s aerial show.
“Verra beautiful,” agreed Jared, watching Kaitla intently over the rim of his teacup.
Kaitla wriggled uncomfortably in her seat, blushing at the not so subtle compliment. “Have you lived in Edinburgh all your life?” she asked, moving the conversation to safer ground.
“Not exactly,” Jared replied, returning his cup to its saucer. “Actually, I’ve only been in Edinburgh for a few months.”
“I’m surprised I didn’t see you while I was staying in town,” Kaitla said. Rubbing Tobias fondly behind the ears, she smiled, “I had to be near my little buddy while he was in jail.”
“A jail for cats?” Jared asked, tilting his head curiously to one side. “And what sort of crime might a wee cat commit?”
Grinning mischievously, Kaitla couldn’t resist, “Have you never heard of cat burglars?” Jared’s puzzled expression clearly revealed he in no way understood her poor attempt at a weak joke. Shaking her head in dismay, she filled a small saucer with cream and offered it to the furry criminal in question. “Just a bad joke…I’m sorry…Tobias had to stay in the pound until they were absolutely convinced he wasn’t a rabid villain.”
Scratching his head in confusion, Jared mentally rebuked himself for not studying the ways of the earth realm more intensely. Etain had warned him of such things, but he had thought they’d have been back in Cuchailard long before now. Still not quite understanding all the circumstances Kaitla was describing, it was now Jared’s turn to steer the conversation to a safer subject. “I thought ye said ye were hungry?” he brightened seizing the idea with fervor.
“There’s so much here, I don’t know what to eat first!” Kaitla laughed, shrugging her shoulders in dismay.
With one graceful swoop, Jared quickly filled a small dessert plate with several varieties of cookies and cakes, plopping it in place in front of her. “Try these biscuits...ye’ll fair swoon o’er them, I promise.” Selecting one of the smaller varieties, she bit into it, silently wondering why in the world anybody would call a cookie a biscuit.
“’Tis what they are” replied Jared. Startled by this second feat of mind reading, Kaitla dropped the cookie to the plate with a clatter. She quickly rose from the table, knocking over the chair and almost upsetting the teacart in her haste.
“How are you doing that?!” She coughed, choking on the bite of biscuit as she backed slowly away from the table. “I think it’s time I got to work. Thank you for the refreshments!” Grabbing Tobias, she quickly backed her way to the safety of the empty house.
~*~
“Well done, Jared,” Etain observed sarcastically. “What did I tell ye about communicating with Kaitla?” Jared looked across the veranda to a large rose bush. Perched among the branches was a delicate silvery finch. As he watched, the tiny bird hopped from one of the branches onto the massive marble railing surrounding the veranda, observing him with it’s little head cocked to one side.
“Do be kind enough to show me your face, Etain,” Jared replied in a resigned tone of voice. “After all, if ye mean to scold me at least let me look at ye as I always do when ye berate me!” The tiny bird’s body gradually lengthened, resuming the form of the delicate woman. The silvery feathers changed to the silvery hair and soon the disgusted Etain stood before Jared impatiently tapping one foot.
“Did I not say to ye that ye must only speak aloud to her?” Exasperated, Etain righted the fallen patio chair and gracefully took a seat.
“I DID only speak aloud!” Jared argued. “I just forgot about waitin’ for the words to come out of her mouth before I responded to what she was about to say.” Jared fidgeted miserably in his seat. This wasn’t the first time Etain had lectured him. Jared had been Etain’s novice since birth approximately 100 years ago. Her face softened as she watched the bowed head before her. Jared had been the brightest soul she had been blessed to train. He was not only gifted in many of the ways, but it had been revealed to Etain that Jared was somehow an important part of Kaitla’s destiny. How exactly, was still a mystery but she trusted the answer to be revealed to her in time.
Jared also was a descendant of Ravon. Therefore, any positive effect he could contribute in the healing of the realm would only help the clans at last find peace with each other. Studying Jared, Etain could clearly see Ravon’s bloodline. The sleek dark hair, very nearly black, was cropped close to Jared’s head to fit with the appearance of current day Edinburgh. His facial features were well chiseled, cut with high cheekbones and cleft chin. The deep gray eyes were filled with remorse in the tanned face, the muscles of his jaw rippling as he gritted his teeth in aggravation. His shoulders were almost too broad for the white linen shirt, and she must speak to him about how snug those trousers were. She could clearly see his muscles rippling as he wriggled uncomfortably under her scrutiny. Granted he was a large man, but he must appear to belong to this realm. The open-chested shirts and closely fitted pants of Cuchailard would be out of place here. Thankfully, Jared only inherited his physical attributes from Ravon’s bloodline. His personality harbored none of the cruelty of Ravon. Jared was as warm and friendly as a pup and sometimes as impetuous.
“Kaitla has no idea who she is, Jared,” Etain finally spoke. “She is not aware of all the gifts that are hers to claim, ‘tis why we’ve come here.” Etain rose from the chair, slowly circling the table to Jared’s side. “We must show her the ways and awaken her soul to its destiny.”
“But how Etain?” Jared asked, raising both hands in exasperation. “She trusts no one. When I touched her hand and looked into her eyes, I saw nothing but fear and wariness. What have they done to the lass to make her so leery of all she meets?”
Etain drew a deep breath and explained wearily, “When
I hid the child in this realm it was like dropping a stray kitten, hoping someone would take pity on it and welcome it into their home. She was but a wee bairn and I couldna’ leave her in Scotland or Ireland. The legends are still alive and remembered here and Ravon would have sensed her in this land.” Etain slowly walked over to the marble railing, sliding her hand along the cold smooth surface. Reaching the rose bush, she idly picked at a scarlet bud. “I had to travel to America and leave her in a bus station where her hungry wails wouldna’ go unnoticed.” Etain returned to the table and sat, propping her chin in her hands. “She was soon found and placed as a ward of the state in a foster home.” Etain closed her eyes speaking softly, “Through my dreams, I watched the lass grow and be passed from one home to another. She was never actually abused but she was also never loved. As soon as she’d allow herself to love and trust someone, she would be torn away to never see them again. The lass now thinks if she allows herself to love, she will be hurt. So, she only allows herself to trust and love a wee cat.” Jared watched Etain in amazement. It was the first time since he’d known her that he’d ever seen her shed a tear.
“How will we ever do this task?” Jared dissolutely repeated. Turning away from Etain, he ran his hands through his closely cropped hair, then covered his face with them. Dropping his hands to his sides, he turned again to find Etain’s own face buried in her arms on the table. He walked over to Etain and hesitantly patted her shoulder. Her face remained buried in her arms and she just shook her head.
“She is so confused. I felt it when I touched her. And those eyes! She has the eyes of Laird Caymber!” Jared mused, as he shivered at the memory of the rage in the golden eyes of Laird Caymber when he had caught Jared trying to catch a glimpse of the portrait of Lady Bristna. The rage had subsided once Caymber learned Jared was accompanying Etain to recover Kaitla, but not before Jared had seen the depths of pain and torment in the golden eyes of Caymber.
Etain slowly raised her head from her arms, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “The child has always been alone and afraid. I dared not intercede during her childhood for fear Ravon would discover her.” Etain rose from the table and returned to the cool marble railing looking down into the flower gardens below. “She has spent the first thirty five years of her life here in the earth realm, but she has never truly belonged. I’m afraid our task will not be an easy one.”
Awakening Her Soul to Destiny Page 2