by Diane Darcy
The man looked around. “I understand this group is wanting to know more about the two ghosts we have living here? Come inside, and I’ll tell you all about them.”
It was definitely smaller on the inside than the others they’d visited, a beautiful home, filled with gorgeous antiques, plush furniture, and beams across the ceilings.
It didn’t take long for their guide to show them the downstairs, with its lovely family portraits, rug-covered floors, and touches of history. He soon led them upstairs and into a bedroom.
“Our most famous ghost is The Green Lady.”
“Doesn’t she reside at Stirling Castle?”
“Ah,” their guide gave the man a respectful nod. “You know your history. We actually have quite a few green ladies, gray ladies, and blue ladies inhabiting Scotland. Apparently, those who named them were not very creative. But our green lady is special, because she has a babe. You see, the young lady in question was a servant girl, who fell pregnant out of wedlock.”
He gave them all a knowing look. “In those days, it was much frowned upon for an unmarried lady to give birth, and after she did, this was the room she was purported to stay in.”
He lifted shaggy eyebrows. “Not long after, both the girl and the babe disappeared, and that is when the appearances started. Most of the servants almost immediately saw a girl in green float across this room, whereupon she’d pick up her babe from this cradle here, and then disappear.”
Everyone looked at the cradle next to the fireplace.
“This went on for years, and then one day a renovation took place and the fireplace hearth was lifted, and underneath human bones were found.”
Ronan took hold of Ashley’s hand and she shot him a questioning look.
He bent his head to whisper, “Let us go to the gardens.”
They made their way to the back of the crowd as the tour guide started a story about a pipe smoking Laird.
They soon headed down the stairs, and out the door. They rounded the castle and the gardens lay before them, and in the distance, a bride, groom and photographer walked across the green lawn.
Ronan took her to the left, as if he knew where he was going, and when they rounded the corner there was a beautiful stone staircase, and he stopped.
“Tis still here.”
“The staircase or the woods beyond?”
“The staircase. I stood upon it, as the nobles spoke to Lord Burnett, trying to convince him to join our cause. Tis just that it’s been so long, it almost feels like things are muddled in my head, do ye understand?”
The 300-year-old ghost thing again, but he wasn’t smiling and inviting her to join in the fun, rather, he was acting serious, and it was starting to concern her a bit.
He walked down a couple of stairs, then leaned back against the stone balustrade, and looked up at her.
Well, whatever this was, he’d just landed in the perfect position to get himself kissed. A quick glance around assured her no one else was around, and she thought, why not?
“I do understand,” she said, as she took first one step down and then another before coming to a stop. Though one step below her, he was still taller, and she found she wasn’t quite brave enough to lean forward, after all.
She suddenly wondered about his tattoo. Why a wolf? Who’d broken his nose? And had anyone ever kissed that slightly crooked bridge before? She breathed in his enticing scent that now seemed irresistible.
She put her hand on his chest, looked at him, and smiled invitingly. At least she hoped it was inviting, and she didn’t look ridiculous or anything.
His look of surprise almost had her backing away, but then his gaze dropped to her mouth, and he swallowed, loudly, in the silence of the afternoon. “Lass?”
“Yes?”
The affirmative word seemed to be all he needed. Still holding her pack with one hand, he wrapped the other around her and pulled her against him before slowly lowering his mouth.
Again, his kiss was unpracticed, his mouth slightly clumsy against her own, but that only made it all the sweeter as he grazed her lips with such tenderness. He made a sound, between a moan and a growl and an answering one was torn from her and, as his arm tightened, she found herself clinging to his shoulders.
He pulled back and then just as quickly dipped his head and kissed her once again, his firm mouth pressing against hers. This time, she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back for all she was worth.
She wasn’t sure how long it was until he finally lifted his head, leaving her dizzy, disoriented, and clinging to him.
He let out a ragged breath. “I shouldnae have done that.”
She stilled, her heart sinking as he expressed regret, but then he leaned in and pressed his forehead to hers, sharing breaths.
“But I’m glad I did.”
“I’m glad, too,” she said, her voice shaking only a little.
Others were coming up behind them, and he grabbed her hand, tugging her down the steps.
They went around the corner, to see the bride and groom in the distance once more, and she had the most ridiculous wish that it could be her and Ronan.
Two days, she reminded herself. She’d only known the man for two days. Still …
They walked around the grounds, which were, indeed, beautiful, and before too long, they headed to the bus where Logan was doing a headcount.
They took their seats and after wrapping her arm through Ronan's, she settled her head on his shoulder.
For the first time he placed his cheek against her hair, leaving her feeling very content.
As they pulled up to Cawdor Castle, Logan started telling them about it. “This, more than any of the other castles, has been a work in progress over the years. A curious feature is that the castle was built around a small living holly tree. Supposedly, a donkey, laden with gold, lay down to rest under the tree, thereby selecting the site of the castle.”
Garth snickered. “Isn’t that how everyone does it?”
“The remains of the tree may still be seen even though modern testing has shown the tree died approximately 800 years ago. Weird, right? The castle is known for its gardens and trees. The play, Macbeth, which has ties to Glamis Castle, also has ties to this one. That led to too much interest in the estate, leading one of the Earls of Commodore to quote, I wish the Bard had never written his demmed play!
Anyway, we’ll learn more about the ghost later, because the Courtyard Café is expecting us for supper. So, follow me, let’s eat, and then I’ll set you loose on the place.”
Led by Logan, they exited the bus, and headed to the café which turned out to be a charming place with a gift shop attached.
The area was well-lit, smelled delicious, and gauzy curtains covered the windows. They had tables set up and waiting for them, and there were also tables outside for their use.
“I don’t know about you guys, but I’m getting tired,” Monica said.
Garth yawned, as if to accentuate her point. “Just one more place after this one, and then we’ll stay at a bed-and-breakfast tonight. We can crash then.”
His yawn triggered her own, and Ashley quickly agreed.
She shot a glance at Ronan, but he didn’t say anything.
Her spirits sank. Was this simply destined to be a short holiday romance? Was he going to ask for her phone number, maybe even ask her to stay longer so they could get to know each other better?
She wasn’t sure she had it in her to make the first move. Not because she didn’t dare, but because she didn’t want to be with a guy that was hesitant, or waited for her to do the chasing.
She tried to ignore her thoughts, and threw herself into conversation with her friends instead, and as soon as dinner — chicken, steak or vegetarian — was over, Logan rounded them all up once more.
“Come on, look lively, were not nearly done for the night.” He led them around the outside of the castle once more, until they stood below the tower.
“I’m sorry to say there’s
only one ghost here at Cawdor, but if it makes you feel any better, this story is as gruesome a one as I’ve ever heard. Do you see the window in the tower up top?”
Everyone tilted their heads back to look.
“The Earl had a daughter by the name of Muriel. She fell in love, as young girls do, but unfortunately it was with a man who was a member of a rival clan. Since this was the case, her father disapproved, vehemently. She was told she was never to see the man again, but she’d often sneak out, as young girls do, to meet him in secret.”
Logan looked at them all knowingly. “I suppose you can guess what happened. Her father caught her sneaking out one night, and she admitted that, yes, she had been sneaking out to see her lover, and she also told him that no matter what he did, she would not stop.”
“Was this Ariel from the little mermaid?” Garth asked out loud.
There were chuckles in the crowd, and then Logan, after narrowing his eyes, continued the story.
“A huge argument broke out, and her father ended up beating her, and chasing her up to the tower where she locked herself in. She attempted to climb out of the window and down the wall to escape, but her father must have realized what she was doing, and he broke down the door just as she’d climbed through the window arch and was hanging from the ledge above.
Her father, in a rage, rushed forward, lifted his sword, and chopped off both her hands in one swing, sending her falling to her death.
“Geez, psycho much?” Ashley whispered, and her friends nodded.
“Many have claimed to have seen her ghost up there in the tower or down below here, walking the grounds. She has long curling brown hair, she wears a blue gown, and of course, she has no hands.”
Logan looked around at them all, smiled, and clapped his hands. “Well then, on that cheery note, you’ve got about half an hour until we have to be back on the bus, so feel free to look around. You can go inside and join the tour, see the tower, the dungeon, turrets, and battlements. Or, you can stay out here and see the stunning grounds, nature trails, and there’s even a maze you can walk through. There’s probably not time for both.”
“We’re going to the dungeon. Where are you guys headed?” Monica asked.
“Do you want to see the maze?” Ashley asked Ronan.
Looking slightly relieved, he nodded. She had a feeling, he was done with indoor dungeons and such.
“Sounds good, we’ll meet you back on the bus,” Monica said with a wave, and they took off.
Ronan took Ashley’s hand as they walked across the grounds once more, following another group who were headed to the maze as well.
“It’s so beautiful here.”
“It is. What’s it like where ye live?”
It was the first time he’d asked about her home and she couldn’t help but feel a spurt of hope.
“Seattle is green, too. We’re right next to the ocean so it rains a lot.”
“Do ye live with your parents?”
“No, actually, I won a scholarship and ended up going to college in Seattle. I liked it so much there, that I stayed.”
“Ye are able to support yerself?”
“I am.”
His gaze was once again admiring. “But surely ye doonae live alone.”
“Actually, I do. I had enough of roommates when I was going to college.”
He made a noise in his throat, and she wasn’t sure what it meant. If she was an optimist, she might take it to mean, Oh, good, when I come visit you, you can put me up. If she was a pessimist, she might think it meant, Oh boy, what a loser, I wonder if she has a cat or three.
She tried to keep herself from saying it, because she felt she was being too obvious, but she blurted it out anyway, “I’m actually fortunate because I can live anywhere in the world. All of my work is done on my computer, so …” she shrugged, “that’s nice.”
“It is.”
She waited in vain for any sort of invitation to visit, or to stay here now, and was starting to lose hope.
They were following behind others in their group, when Ronan pulled her around the corner rather than going straight into the maze, and they were hidden by some of the tall bushes on the perimeter.
He set her pack down at his feet, gripped both of her shoulders in his big hands, gave her a fierce look, and leaned in to kiss her. Like he couldn’t get enough of her?
Well, all right, then. This was acceptable. She rose up on tip-toes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him back.
After a long moment, he released her, scooped up her backpack, and took a step back.
Taking a breath, he grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the maze without saying a word.
She tried to get her equilibrium back. The kiss, his dragging her around, honestly, she really didn’t know what to think. Maybe what she needed was a minute to herself. Being so near him all the time was messing with her head. “I’m going this way, you go that way, and let’s see who gets to the other side of the maze first.”
Without another word she tugged her hand away, and headed further into the maze. Being a trivia girl, she knew exactly how to get out, right hand on the wall, never lift it as you walk.
She ran into a kissing couple, but stuck with her plan and kept going. “Excuse me,” she said, and as she moved around them, they broke apart, giggling.
She ran across a red bench, and since she figured she’d easily win their contest, took a seat. Was this just a two-day fling for him? She was starting to have serious feelings for the man, did he reciprocate?
Should she just ask him? Just come right out and ask do you still want to see me after I go back home? She sighed. Again, refer back to preferring to be chased, rather than doing the running.
Maybe she could simply give him her phone number. If he called, great, and if he didn’t, then maybe it just wasn’t meant to be.
She hadn’t actually seen Ronan with a cell phone. He didn’t seem to understand technology very well. Or at all.
But perhaps for her he’d make an effort?
In growing frustration, she realized that by the end of the night, she’d have to say something, if he didn’t. She couldn’t just leave it as it was, walk away from him, and never see him again.
She didn’t know how, or why, because it had never happened to her before, but she had a connection with the man, and she wasn’t going to be shy, or ladylike, when it came to him.
If he rejected her, then he did, and she’d deal with it.
But she wasn’t going to wonder later, what if I’d said something?
Decision made, she stood up, placed her right hand on the wall, and started walking.
Chapter 13
Tense, upset, Ronan walked through the maze.
Ashley was angry with him. Leaving him to go her own way with barely a by-your-leave.
He’d almost followed, but hadn’t wanted to upset her further.
He should never have kissed her. Now he couldn’t seem to stop.
Aye, she’d seemed willing, but then she’d gotten angry at him, so he must have misread the situation.
Easy for someone like him, who knew nothing of females, to do.
Before Ashley, the last girl he’d spoken to was Soni, and before that, it had been hundreds of years before he’d had a conversation with someone of the fairer sex.
And come to think of it, he’d never had many. Just girls from his village upon occasion, his mother, aunt, his cousin, and that was about it.
Even the camp followers had avoided him.
Still, Ashley was different. Unlike any lass he’d ever met, and his feelings for her burned brighter with every passing hour.
She held his hand.
Lay her head upon his shoulder.
Kissed him back.
He remembered his earlier decision to let himself fall in love with her. Perhaps he was being too obvious in his feelings? Driving her away?
He needed to get back to her. Hated being separated.
He made his
way through the maze, determined to get through quickly so that he could meet up with Ashley again, but got lost, turned around, and his temper started to flare.
Would that he had his sword to hack through these bushes.
He heard something behind him and turned around to see Lewis, their young bus driver headed his way.
“Do ye think ye can point me in the direction I’m supposed tae follow?”
“Sure. Let me just show you —”
The man lifted something, and plunged it into Ronan’s shoulder.
Ronan stared at the man in disbelief as he withdrew a needle and took three hurried steps back.
Ronan’s temper, already simmering, upped another notch. “What do ye think ye mean by that?”
Lewis, his gaze rapt, just stood and watched him.
“Answer me, man! Before I stab something into your own arm.” Ronan withdrew his dagger and Lewis took three more steps back.
Ronan, still in disbelief that the much smaller man had attacked him, unprovoked, and with such a skimpy weapon, lifted a hand to his shoulder, felt it, and couldn’t even find a wound.
He sheathed his dagger with a noise of disgust, but Lewis just stood watching him, a faint frown now appearing on his brow.
“Ye are a big one, ain’t ye?” Lewis finally said.
“Aye, that I am.” Ronan was simply confused. He couldn’t believe the man was even enough of a threat to flash him into his rage state.
He looked at the needle on the ground, recognized it as something drug users occasionally brought to the moor, and it finally dawned on him that Lewis had injected him with something. A drug to leave him helpless? To leave Ashley without protection?
Now his anger started to burn.
Lewis cautiously moved forward, grabbed hold of Ashley’s pack, and tugged it.
Ronan gaped at the smaller man, tore the pack away, lifted a fist, and clouted Lewis on the side of his head. “This belongs to Ashley, and ye’re not to touch it!”
Before he’d even finished speaking, the man slumped, falling first to his knees, and then to his side.
Perhaps Ronan had hit him too hard? He moved off, leaving Lewis, and then turned back again to search his pockets.