The moment Noah’s mind drifted to Saoirse’s breasts, seeing the pert roundness of them beneath her shift at the same moment he thought of them, he had to look away. But it was far too late. Fantasies of her flickered through his mind like a candle flame shaking in the wind. Each vision was more intense and bolder than the last, until he found his hand gliding over his loins.
Och, how I want ye. Ye stir such things inside of me that I havenae felt since I was a lad. Can ye nae see that ye I crave ye? Please Saoirse, give me a chance and I swear ye’ll nae regret it.
CHAPTER16
Sunlight poured through the curtains.Saoirse stirred in her bed and drew the pillows over her face to block out the glare. For the first time in a long time, she wished for the sound of her sisters racing down the hallway. Instead, all she was greeted with was silence.
As if sensing her need for noise and company, a light rap of knuckles on the chamber door brought her out from beneath the pillows.
“M’Lady, it’s Mary. Are ye decent? Can I come in? I’ve got a fine breakfast for ye,” came the comforting, familiar voice of Saoirse’s new friend.
Eagerly, Saoirse slipped out of bed and hurried to the door. A flutter of a smile crossed her lips as she undid the bolt and pulled the door wide. Glancing briefly over Mary’s shoulder, Saoirse hunted for any sign of Noah, relieved to find him nowhere in sight.
“Ye daenae look well, M’Lady,” Mary declared as she entered the room. “I’m glad I brought ye more than I thought ye could eat. There’s nothin’ like good food to make a lass feel better.”
“It’s sleep that I need.” Saoirse covered a yawn behind her mouth, as she glanced at the food on the tray. Smoked meats, oatcakes, fruit. It was the same meal she’d taken to Noah yesterday. The mere sight of it caused the aching in her heart to intensify.
Nevertheless, Saoirse forced herself to smile as she closed the door behind Mary and bolted it. “Dae ye happen to ken Noah’s schedule today? Will he be out of the Castle?”
Mary nodded. “I believe the Laird is collectin’ the rents today.”
“And how long daes that take?” Saoirse asked as she twisted her fingers together. Every nerve in her body seemed to spark with energy.
“All day usually,” Mary answered. Tilting her head, she studied Saoirse. “Are ye wantin’ him to be gone from the Castle? Will the thought of that bring a bit of color back to yer cheeks?”
“The thought willnae, but the fresh air will. Him bein’ away means I daenae have to be stuck in here today.”
“Saoirse, ye’re nae any kind of prisoner here. If ye want to wander, then wander! Daenae mind where the Laird is,” Mary scolded lightly.
“I ken,” Saoirse said. “But it’s nae like my old home. It’s nae like I have my family here wit’ me, or like I have my favorite corners to while away the hours.”
Mary cupped Saoirse’s face with her weathered hands. “I ken we’re nae blood relations, but I promise ye can talk to me as if I were family. I’m already fonder of ye than I am of any of me actual family, so it’s nae stretch for me.”
“Thank ye. I’m fond of ye, too.” Saoirse chuckled.
“Now, let’s get ye dressed and out of this dreary mood.”
Saoirse couldn’t help but feel grateful for her new friend, for Mary was the only person in the castle that Saoirse felt she could trust. It wasn’t quite the same as having her sisters there, but it was a comforting consolation.
So, accepting Mary’s help just once, Saoirse dressed and sat down to eat her breakfast, sharing some with the housekeeper. As they ate, Saoirse thought about what she might do with her day. Maybe, she would escape to the moors until late afternoon. Maybe, she would walk in the forest, or take the carriage to the nearby loch. Or, perhaps, she would just go to the library and curl up with a book, getting lost in more successful romances.
“Come then, let us face the day.” Mary stood up and clapped her hands together, once breakfast was done. “Ye just tell me whatever ye feel like doin’, and I’ll see it done.”
Saoirse hesitated. “I thought I might like to wander in the gardens. I’ve seen them from the window there, but I’ve yet to explore them.” She shook her head. “Actually, maybe I’ll see the gardens and then take some time in the music room. I should like to hear ye play again.”
“Gardens and music it is!” Grasping Saoirse’s hand, Mary pulled her out of the chamber with surprising strength.
As the two women hurried along, Saoirse kept behind Mary, peering around corners to double check for signs of Noah before stepping out. She felt as if she were a child again, sneaking around the Castle when she wasn’t supposed to.
As they headed all the way down to the entrance hall and out into the courtyard, Saoirse released the air she had trapped in her lungs. With no hint of Noah anywhere and beautiful gardens awaiting her, she felt freer. Even the morning breeze seemed to carry the fresh scent of liberty.
“This way, M’Lady,” Mary urged, leading the way to the gardens.
Saoirse followed at a leisurely pace, enjoying the sight of the Castle in the daylight. Other residents bowed their heads and called out greetings, which Saoirse responded to in kind, meaning every smile and word that she offered. The servants still appeared to be in fine spirits, and nothing could’ve cheered Saoirse more than seeing that.
At the entrance to the gardens—an archway of twisting vines, adorned with pretty white flowers—Mary halted as if she couldn’t go any further. “I’ll have to leave ye for a while, to attend to some pesky duties. When ye’ve had yer fill of the gardens, why daenae ye wait for me in the music room, and I’ll play me fiddle again.” She paused. “Will ye be well here, by yerself?”
Had Mary asked that earlier, Saoirse wouldn’t have been able to hide her disappointment, but freeing herself of Noah’s shackles had done wonders for her. As such, she didn’t mind at all if she had to spend the entire day wandering the beautiful, fragrant gardens by herself.