“Then, pray tell, what dae ye mean?” Caelan advanced on him.
The man gulped. “Naething, sire. Naething at all. Let me take ye to her.”
Caelan wore a cold smile. “Dae so.”
The girl sat on a stool in the room, gazing out into the gardens. Her wheat-colored hair was braided, but tendrils of it framed her bruised face. Caelan noticed how stiffly she held her body and wished more than anything that he had been able to reclaim her honor from MacAdam.
He rapped on the open door, and she jumped up, almost falling off the stool. Caelan forced himself to stay where he was until she stood. What little of her skin had been left unharmed was colored pink as she blushed.
“Thank ye, sire…”
Shuffling on his feet, Caelan waved off her thanks.
He motioned for the books he had brought and grunted, “Do ye like stories?”
Maybe it was because the light was low, but he thought he saw her rich, dark eyes twinkle. They were hemmed by curled lashes that immediately swept down when he looked at her.
“Set yerself down, then,” he said, wondering why his voice was gruff.
That night, and for several others to follow, he read to her as her injuries healed. Selfishly, he had enjoyed every moment of it. So much so that he didn’t want her to leave.
And so, when she was fully recovered, he inquired about her family. It was then that he found out that she had no one. His lips formed the words before he could stop them. “Would ye like to work as a maid in the castle? Ye’ll get your pay—”
But he hadn’t been able to finish his proposal before she laced her arms around him and agreed.
* * *
The whore’s child appeared to be thriving at the Graham keep. He had watched her like a hungry hawk for a month. Every time she laughed, it riled him up further.
The spawn’s resemblance to the mother was uncanny. In a few years, she would be the picture of the woman who had ruined him. He had searched for her and found the daughter instead. If the whore heard of the maid’s horrible death, surely she would come out of hiding and fall into his trap.
After they had ruined his life, she did not deserve any happiness. None of them did. At every turn, the youngest Graham son shadowed her, thwarting his attempts. It was only a matter of time before she ran out of luck.
From his shadowed spot beneath the stairs, he watched her enter the kitchens, smiling like she always was. She had a freckled maid with her, the one who always smelled like spirits. As he watched her, a new excitement ripped through his body. There really was no need to rush. More than the end of her life, he craved to see all of her dreams die—to see the girl’s happiness fade from her eyes.
With careful plotting, he could shatter her dreams until she wanted to die—ifhecould outlive his fury. Out she came again, this time carrying a tray of food. She was headed to the chambers of Yvaine Graham, the ailing Lady of the keep, unaccompanied. It took all of his willpower to remain hidden in the shadows.
He would savor the delayed gratification when he got to watch the blood gush from her veins. For now, he would bide his time until a plan formed in his mind. He swallowed his revulsion and turned away.
The maid could stay alive.
For now.
CHAPTERTHREE
Caelan refilled his brothers’ glasses. Evan raised his and toasted, “To long life!”
“Aye!” his brothers chorused and clinked glasses. The three men downedtheir drinks. Evan quickly reached for the bottle and poured himself another, gulpingit down while Arran and Caelan nursed their empty glasses. Then, he reached for his fourth, causingArran toclearhis throat and exchangea worried look with Caelan.
“At the rate ye’re goin’, ye’ll not last the night.”
Evan offered them an obstinate look before refilling, but he only took a sip and returned the glass to the table. Arran averted his gaze. Caelan's sadness was mirrored in both—hanging over their heads like a dead weight.
“What dae ye think he’s doin’ now?” Caelan asked to break the silence.
“Yelling at fools to bring his wine,” Arran replied with a forced laugh.
“Aye, Faither did enjoy his drink,” Evan agreed, but he couldn’t quite manage a smile.