Chapter 11

11

B ridget's chest felt as if it was going to cave in as she paced the length of her room. Her heart raced as a flurry of emotions overwhelmed her. She replayed her moments alone at the loch with Ewan. His passionate kiss still lingered on her lips and taunted her. How she wished she could give herself over to him.

In the back of her mind, she knew she didn't have the nerve to throw herself at the feet of a Scottish laird, not even one as attractive as Ewan.

The sharp knock on the door startled her. For a moment, she allowed hope to swell and overflow within her. Racing for the door, Bridget tried to compose herself before answering. She smoothed back the wild strands of her hair. She didn't care that her clothing was still sopping wet and clinging to her.

With great gusto, she threw open the door. Instantly, her face dropped. All the hope brewing inside her vanished.

"Now is that any way to greet a friend?" Ava asked as she pushed past Bridget and into the room.

Bridget closed the door behind Ava. "I'm sorry," she said as she motioned to the empty chair by the fireplace.

"And just who were ye expectin'?" Ava asked as she took a seat next to the fire. "Please dinnae tell me it was me cousin ye were hopin' for. I dinnae think me ears can handle any more gossip. It's bad enough that I had to listen to the cacklin' in the market once he led ye out of the seamstress's shop. Which, by the way, ye're goin' to tell me all about, startin' wit' the moment ye left."

Ava settled into her seat and folded her arms defiantly across her chest.

There was no doubt in Bridget's mind that she was going to have to rehash everything that happened between her and Ewan. Just thinking about Ewan caused her body to tingle as heat rushed to her cheeks. The image of Ewan's face danced around the edges of her mind, taunting and teasing her as she tried hard not to let her emotions give her away.

"Nothing happened," Bridget said with a casual shrug of her shoulders.

She hoped that she'd be able to keep things as casual as she could. After all, what was she going to tell Ava? That Ewan had lunged at her and kissed her so passionately that she forgot her own name? How she wished she was back in England with her friends at the Hellfire Club. She'd be able to tell them anything.

Bridget couldn't help but wonder what her friends would think of her encounter.

"Sure, it didnae. Ye're forgettin' this is me cousin ye're talkin' about. I think I ken him a wee bit more than ye do. And I ken for a fact he's nae one to pull a lass aside like that unless he has a reason," Ava said in a stern tone that reminded Bridget of how her mother would scold her as a child. "So, out wit' it."

"I swear to you," Bridget answered, hoping her voice was steady enough not to give away her lie. "Nothing happened between us. He merely wanted to talk to me and ask a few questions."

"Such as?" Ava asked, arching an eyebrow. The speculation and suspicion rolling off her were as thick as tar.

"He wanted to know where I come from, and when I'll be leaving," Bridget said as she looked at anything other than Ava.

"Oh Lord," Ava said, frantically crossing herself. "Tell me he didnae ruin ye."

Bridget's eyes widened as she took a step back in shock. "No, Heavens no. I'd never let someone do that. Never. I can't even believe you'd suggest something so horrific."

"I'm nae sayin' me cousin is that sort of man, because he's nae. But, he is still a man, and he has needs," Ava said as the tension and stress in her shoulders eased.

"No," Bridget reiterated. "Nothing happened between us. We just talked, nothing more."

"And did he tell ye who the woman from the seamstress's shop was?" Ava asked as she turned her gaze to the fire. There was a heaviness in her voice that caught Bridget off guard.

"He did, to some extent," Bridget answered. "Although I don't understand the hostility there. She's beautiful and pleasant enough."

"Dinnae be charmed by her—she's certainly nae someone ye want to cross paths wit' if ye catch me meanin'. Best to just avoid her if she comes around. And dinnae say anythin' ye dinnae want her repeatin'. The lass has a wicked tongue that I wish someone would cut off."

"Ava," Bridget scolded. "I wouldn't wish that on anyone, especially a woman. It's bad enough we have to be silent and treated as second-class citizens when we are just as capable and useful as men. To wish for another woman's truth to be silenced… well, I don't know how I feel about that."

"Ye're right," Ava said. "We shouldnae wish violence upon anyone. Maybe I'd wish for her favorite dress to be ruined? How would that be?"

Bridget shook her head and flashed Ava a pitiful smile as she strolled over to the bed and plopped down on it. Her mind instantly jumped to Ewan, and before she could stop herself, she found her lips aching to touch his once more. A smile played at the corner of her mouth as her thoughts drifted further and further away from her conversation with Ava.

"Ye cannae tell me nothin' happened wit' a face like that," Ava cooed as she snapped her fingers, breaking Bridget's trance.

"What?" Bridget asked as she blinked, bringing the room back into focus.

"Where did ye go?" Ava asked as she craned her neck to catch Bridget's eye. "Ye were a million miles away from here."

"Nowhere. Home," Bridget quickly countered, hoping that her delay wouldn't trigger another round of questioning from Ava.

"Ye miss it, do ye nae? Cannae blame ye. I think I'd die of a broken heart if I had to leave here and never come back."

Bridget gave a sympathetic smile as she cleared her throat and gathered her thoughts. She knew better than to daydream—it only ever led to heartbreak.

"Don't get me wrong, Scotland is beautiful, and I never would have imagined such a lovely island."

"Who are ye tryin' to fool here?" Ava said with a hearty chuckle that echoed through the room. "The island is harsh and cruel to anyone who doesnae respect it—yer twisted foot bein' a prime example. I bet England is drier and greener, and there are proper furnishings made of brass and silver."

"You think just because I live in England things are more glamorous? It's no different from here. You have folks out in the fields growing what they can for King and Country. The wealthy live in the city with their servants and silver platters. But it really is no different from anything you would find here."

"Seems the grass will appear greener on the other side then, aye?" Ava asked as she gave Bridget a once-over. "Oh, dearie, ye need to get out of those clothes before ye catch yer death."

Bridget glanced down. Although her dress wasn't as sopping wet and dripping as it had been earlier, she only now noticed the cold. She had been so lost in her thoughts of Ewan that she didn't notice the chill in the air.

Ava helped her remove her dress and get into a brand-new one for dinner. Bridget couldn't help but feel grateful for Ava's help. She knew that Ava was going to be one of the few people she wished to remain friends with, even after she left.

"There. Better?" Ava asked.

"Thank you," Bridget said. "You've done so much for me. I really can't thank you enough."

"Think nothin' of it," Ava said as a light rap on the door caught Bridget's attention.

The door cracked open, and a young servant entered the room with a tray of food. Without a word, she set the tray on the bed and left.

"Are they always like that with ye?" Ava asked as she rose from her seat and walked to the bed to inspect the food.

"Not usually," Bridget answered. "Perhaps it is because you're in here with me?"

"Aye, could be," Ava answered as she nibbled on the cheese on the tray. Confusion etched her brow as she stared at the amount of food on the platter. "Do they always brin' so little? This is barely enough to fill me belly."

"No, that's a first," Bridget said, noticing the small portion. Her chest tightened as her mother's voice echoed in her head. "If you want it, you can have it. I'm not all that hungry."

"Nonsense," Ava said as recognition flashed through her eyes. "Me maither is throwin' a cèilidh in yer honor. I had nearly forgotten about that. But that explains the lack of food. Everythin' is goin' into the preparation for tomorrow. Ye are comin', are ye nae? I mean, ‘tis for ye."

"I don't know," Bridget said as she rubbed the back of her neck. She didn't have a clue what Ava was talking about and didn't want to appear foolish by asking. "It sounds like something I shouldn't be seen at."

"Come now," Ava said, grabbing Bridget by the shoulders and pinning her to the spot. "Ye must come. The clan is wary of me cousin, and clearly, there is somethin' goin' on between the two of ye, whether ye want to admit it or nae. But if ye're there and he's there, maybe he'll gravitate toward ye and show a more sensitive side of the clan."

Bridget pressed her lips into a tight line. "I don't know what has possessed you to think that Ewan wants me in any way or form. He won't do anything if he sees me there. He's made it very clear that I'm to be on my merry way as soon as I'm healed."

"The man didnae steal ye away to talk bluntly," Ava said as Bridget noticed a spark of perception in her eyes.

Bridget could deny everything until she was blue in the face, but Ava could see that something happened between them.

"He did it to keep ye to himself."

"I really don't know what you think I can do," Bridget said. "I've known the man for barely a week, and from what I've gathered, he's a decent laird. He's taken care of a complete stranger, which is more than I can say for the people I know."

"Just tell me ye'll be there," Ava said, and the plea in her voice pulled at Bridget's heartstrings.

Rolling her eyes, Bridget had no choice but to concede.

"I don't want to intrude or overstep my welcome," she said. "Does the Laird even know there's to be a celebration tomorrow?"

A wicked grin spread across Ava's lips as she gave a little shrug. "He might ken. I dinnae ken for certain. But even if he doesnae, what harm would there be if ye showed yer lovely face? At least go for the food. Me husband is out huntin', and he's sure to brin' back an elk. It'll be a feast to remember."

Bridget glanced at what little food there was on the tray and tried to silence her growling stomach. A flush of embarrassment rose to her cheeks as Ava smiled.

"Say ye'll come," Ava repeated as she picked at the cheese. "Ye'll be welcomed. So, what say ye?"