Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

K endrick raced his steed to a halt when he reached the Gibson manor. His wet shirt and kilt dripped down his legs as he dismounted his horse. He blinked up only to see Sophia staring at him from an open window.

Kendrick walked up the path to the manor with his eyes still fixed on her, not wanting to miss her if she went inside. He grabbed the reins of his horse, leading it to the empty stables of the estate to shelter it from the rain. When he was satisfied that his stallion was none the worse for the freezing rain, he walked to the manor's entrance.

He banged against the oaken door and waited.

The first knock was met with no acknowledgement. He banged the door a second time, stronger and louder than the first and a footman appeared—a man of no more than seventeen. His light brown eyes widened as he looked over the Laird. He twisted his lips as if to speak but remained silent.

"M-milaird!" he stammered at last, clearly considering a bow.

"That's enough," Kendrick commanded in a voice he did not think would terrify the man, but he retreated fearfully. Before Kendrick could form a sentence, the boy was looking about hysterically.

God help me that I do not lose my mind…

"It is the Laird!"

Kendrick moved his gaze to the voice. It was Angus, stood behind the footman.

"I apologize for Matthew's behavior." Angus waved the boy away and lead Kendrick into the house. "I was planning on coming to the keep, but the rain made sure I suspended my visit."

"I am here now… and I believe we have the same thoughts in mind."

"I must have lost my manners along with my youth, milaird," Angus sighed. "Yer garments are wet—I can fetch ye a set of something dry."

"I am hardly bothered by some wet clothes, Angus," Kendrick paused and looked towards the door, "But I would like yer groom seeing to my ride."

"Of course, milaird."

Once in the drawing room, Angus excused himself. Kendrick sat on a chair by a burning fire while he waited.

Upon his return, he ambled into the sitting room with a bottle of drink in his right hand and two goblets in the other. He placed them on the table between the two armchairs and settled in the one opposite Kendrick's.

Then he leaned forward and poured Kendrick a drink.

"Thank ye, Angus." The Laird picked up his whisky, sipped a little of its contents, and dropped it back on the table. "I saw Sophia as I came in… did she tell ye why she is upset with me?"

Angus looked at him with astonishment. "Ye mean to tell me, milaird, that ye dinnae ken why she left the castle moments before yer wedding?"

"I dinnae ken, Angus. It was sudden. She left before I awakened. She only left a note telling me that she had called off the wedding." He glanced at the staircase, as he heard footsteps descending. "Perchance, did she tell ye what the problem might be?"

"To be honest with ye, milaird, I've nae had the chance to speak with her." Angus scratched his bald head. "I was upset with her."

"I ken Sophia wouldn't have left the keep without a proper reason, Angus. We were starting to get along."

"What reason could she have, milaird?"

"That is what I need to find out, and why I am here." He reached to take another sip of his drink. "We have some of the clansmen awaiting us already at the castle. The priest might also be there by now."

"What should we do, milaird? Sophia is my daughter, yet I must admit she is hard to read at times."

"Milaird," Blair curtsied as she walked into the room. "I must ask yer forgiveness for this rather embarrassing situation."

Kendrick did not need apologies. More than that, he did not even care for apologies. All he wanted was to return to the keep with Sophia, have his wedding, and become the Laird he was supposed to be.

He had spent the night planning their lives together with shocking excitement. He had decided to tell her the whole truth of Catherine's pregnancy, and he would make amends. He would try to swallow down his fear.

Not in his wildest imagination did he think he would spend his wedding day convincing her to be his bride.

"Ye dinnae have to apologize for anything," he said. "If ye would do me a favor, I would like to see Sophia."

"She is upstairs, milaird. I will call her down," Blair answered, heading for the stairs.

Kendrick waited nervously. He turned his head to the doorway at the first sound of footsteps but was left disappointed when he saw that Blair had returned alone.

"She refused to come see ye." She paused. "She refuses to speak with any of us."

Kendrick felt his heart break. He wanted to run up the stairs, fling the door open wide, throw her over his shoulder and take her back to his keep. Maybe, if he was kind enough, he would lavish her with kisses till she trusted him enough with whatever it was that had scared her away, with whatever thorn had pierced her heart through.

"Tis fine," he answered instead. "She does nae have to see me if she wishes nae to." He rose to stand. "I shall take my leave now."

Angus stood as well. "I beg of ye, milaird. Stay a wee while longer—the storm is still raging outside."

Kendrick peered through the windows.

"Nae… there are guests awaiting me. I'll have to go back now and dismiss them."

"Mayhap, milaird," Angus said, signaling his wife to leave, "ye would like me to accompany ye back to the castle."

"Nae, Angus. I dinnae need company. I need a wife . Ye already have enough to settle here." Kendrick started towards the door, Angus keeping pace next to him. "Ask that they bring my horse to the front of the house."

"Aye, milaird," Angus replied. He called for a footman, and when the manservant ran to him, he bowed to Kendrick.

"Bring the Laird's horse round," Angus instructed.

"Aye, sir." The boy nodded, then he ran off without sparing a glance to the men.

"What's more, Angus… I ask that ye take care of Sophia. Dinnae be harsh on her. I am sure there is a reason why she is upset. I'll find it out and come back for her one day."

"Yer too kind, milaird," Angus said as he bowed. "Yet, I must apologize again for my daughter's shameful behavior. I will do my best to find out what the problem is as well."

Kendrick nodded. "I would be grateful for yer efforts." He spun to face the exit, twisted the metal knob of the door, then glanced back at the staircase one final time. He hoped that Sophia would change her mind, that he would see her running down the stairs.

It did not happen; she did not come.

Kendrick forced his legs forward until he was outside and saw the men leading his horse around.

"Thank ye," Kendrick said, collecting the reins from the groom. The horse let out a whinny, his tail swinging left and right. His neck arched downward as he sniffled the plants close to him. Kendrick rubbed the horse's head—the fur on it was only a little damp.

"Did he give ye any troubles?" he asked the boy over his shoulder, still examining his horse.

"Nae, milaird. We offered him some carrots, but he rejected them."

"Aye, he would. This lad does nae accept treats from strangers. Accept my gratitude for looking after him."

"It was nae a problem, milaird." The groom gave a respectful nod and departed.

Kendrick observed the sky. Thefury had settled. The sky was a brilliant blue yet the sun was still hidden behind drizzly clouds. Wet grass and earth filled the air. Kendrick climbed onto the stallion and nudged him forward, his gaze returning to Sophia's window. This time it was empty.

The journey back to the castle was not pleasant. Kendrick's heart was pounding, as was his steed's. They returned home like a defeated warrior atop an injured mount.

He could hear bagpipes and flutes before entering the great hall, thered tapestries on the walls. The tables were set up for dancing. Candles, bottles of ale, plates, goblets, spoons, and empty cloches adorned each of the tables. A white sheet was draped over the table in the far back of the great hall. Their clan's folded plaids adorned both of its edges.

The musicians stood at the far end of the great wall, their instruments in hand. The few guests who had arrived early were talking and listening.

Kendrick scanned the room until his eyes met Logan's. His uncle was sat beside Reed, waiting. He gestured his uncle over but drew Reed's attention as well.

The three men stood by the entrance to the keep.

"Milaird, where is the lass?" Logan asked eagerly. "Did ye return with her?"

Kendrick took a downcast breath. "Nae… call off the ceremony, Uncle. Tell the guests a new date shall be announced."

" What ?" Logan blurted in astonishment. "Ye cannae mean it!"

"I mean it. Sophia has refused to return to me."

She even refused to see me!

"Kendrick," Reed interjected, "The priest is present as well."

"What will ye have me do then?" Despairing, Kendrick turned his gaze to Reed. "Should I marry another lass instead?" He waited briefly for a reply. When none came, he continued with, "Dismiss the guests as I've said."

"What about the council, milaird? What shall we tell them?"

Kendrick sighed. "We have a while left before they oust me—I will be sure to sort it all out soon."

Logan patted Kendrick's shoulder. "Sorting it out means finding another lass."

I will nae give up on Sophia that easily.

"I will bring Sophia back. We will sort it out if that does nae work."

"What reason should I give the guests for dismissing the wedding?" Logan asked, his arms folded as he rested against the wall. "Surely I cannae just tell them the wedding is cancelled for the sake of it."

"I'm sure ye'll figure out something, Uncle. I am unable to think of anything else this moment," Kendrick replied dryly. He waved the men away and made for his room.

When he retired to his chambers, his bed was bare… and Catherine was there.

Her humming came to an abrupt stop. She turned with a new, plain blue sheet in hand. "Milaird!" She smiled nervously. "I…"

Kendrick looked suspiciously at the basket on the floor. "Why are ye cleaning my room at a time like this?"

She blinked down at the sheet she was holding, then back at him. "The other maids were busy this morning, milaird. I thought it was left to me—"

"I gave ye an order to nae come into my chamber," Kendrick admonished. "Yer nae longer my chambermaid, Catherine. This will be the last time ye go against my orders."

"I am sorry, milaird," she muttered. "It was my mistake."

"Hurry up and leave."

As Kendrick watched Catherine make his bed, a thought crossed his mind.

This one… could she have told Sophia she was pregnant?

He tried to brush it off, but doubt plagued him. Catherine, after all, was too clever for her own good.

"Catherine," he said and pulled off his boots before sinking into a chair.

She twisted her body to face him. "Aye, milaird."

"Do ye mayhap ken why the mistress left so abruptly?" he questioned, opening the buttons of his now dry white shirt, he tossed it into the basket in front of him.

"I dinnae ken, milaird," she shook her head.

However, Kendrick was not convinced. "Did ye say anything to her? About the bairn, I mean?"

Catherine flinched. "I swear on our bairn, I did nae say a word about this to her!"

Kendrick scoffed. " Bairn ?" He moved nearer to Catherine, tilted her head up with his hand. "Ye dinnae need to swear on the bairn. I'll find out if ye're with child or nae. If I discover ye've lied to me in any way, I will nae spare ye." He released her. "Do ye understand me, lass?"

"Aye…" She cleared her throat. "Aye, milaird."

"Leave me be," he shrugged, sagging back into his fur-covered chair. Catherine picked up the basket and hurried out of the room.

As Kendrick watched her leave, he scoured his mind for answers.

Catherine… that lass is definitely hiding something.