His Heart's Desire (23 page)

“Here, let me help you.” Braden took the keys from her limp grasp. “Are you sure you’re okay enough to drive? The hill can be very dangerous.”

She wiped away the evidence of her sadness and offered a pathetic smile. She knew it was pathetic because the attempt actually hurt. “Thank you, I’ll be careful, I promise.”

Braden’s eyes clung to hers, analyzing her answer. “I want to give you something.” He handed her a tissue-wrapped box. This is something I think you should have. It belonged to your relative. It’s the ring The Ross gifted her with upon the signing of the marriage contract.” Cat shook her head. “No, I can’t take that; it belongs to your family.” She backed away from him. This was just too much for her to handle.

He took her arm and placed the small item in her hand before closing her fingers over the box. “I want you to have it. Their love was magic, lass, and each and every single one of my kinsmen have searched for just such a union. It was rare and never forgotten.” He bent and placed a chaste kiss upon her upturned mouth. “I hope you find your heart’s desire.”

Cat pulled the box close to her heart. “Thank you. I wish you the
same. Have a Happy Christmas.”

“You too, lass.”

Cat got behind the wheel and Braden closed the door. He stood with hands stuffed in the front pockets of his jeans as she pulled away. She felt his gaze until she crested the hill and the castle fell from sight.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

The drive back to Tain was slow going, the road conditions had deteriorated dramatically, the sun never managing to
break through the cloud cover.

A sense of despair took hold of Cat. Her last hope of finding a way to fix things was gone. History had been rewritten when Morgana performe
d her vengeful spell.

Parking her little rental, Cat gathered her bag and gift from Braden, then made her way to her room. Too restless to sit, she put the box alongside the book in her suitcase and locked her door.

She wandered the cobblestone streets with no set direction in mind. Her eyes saw nothing as she tried to come to terms with the way her life had turned out.

Turning down a side street, she dodged a young boy chasing after a small dog, intent on capturing the snowflakes as they fell from the sky. Such innocent
excitement during the holidays.

After walking for a few more blocks, she turned and went back the way she came. Time had come to say goodbye
and return home to New Orleans.

She returned to her room, wet and cold and no less heartbroken. She called the airline to change her ticket so she could fly out the next day. There was no point in staying any longer. If she could, she’d be on a plane now. Distance would not dim her pain, but she ne
eded to be around the familiar.

Cat set out the clothes she’d wear the next day before she finished packing the rest of her belongings. Spying the small box, she pulled it out and sat on her bed. She slowly lifted the lid and gasped. Sitting on a bed of garnet red velvet was a delicate band with a beautiful amethyst sitting in the cente
r, surrounded by tiny diamonds.

Carefully she lifted the ring and marveled at the craftsmanship that had been used to design it. Considering when the ring had been made, the amount of money, time and care made it all the more special and fragile. Etching on the inside of the band caught her eye.
Mo chridh, My heart. Braden had called her that in his deep velvety voice. He was her heart as well and since his banishment, she’d only felt half alive. Tears fell as she slipped the band onto the ring finger of her left hand. It fit perfectly. The metal warmed around the digit and she felt embraced with peace. Honest-to-goodness peace for the first time since her world had been turned upside down.

She decided to leave the ring on. In the morning she’d return it to its velvet home, but tonight she needed this connection to her Braden, no matter how flimsy or tangible it was.

A quick glance at the clock showed that it was going on early evening. Deciding to take a shower and spend the rest of the night watching television, Cat gathered her stuff and carried it into the small bathroom.

The warm shower did little to chase the chill away from her bones. Her dreams and life seemed so hollow. After drying, she dressed in her comfortable sweats and a sweatshirt. She was turning off the bathroom light when there was a knock on the door.

No one knew her here in Scotland, so she was confused as to who would be at her door. Not wanting to become a statistic of the too trusting and opening a door to a potential murderer, she called out, “Who’s there?”

“’Tis I, Elspeth.”

Cat yanked the door open, surprised to see the kindly old lady. “How did you find me?”

“Tain doesn’t have that many hotels, my lady.” Elspeth’s eyes glowed with enjoyment. “My laird has requested that you return with me to Castle Ross.”

This was indeed a surprise. “Whatever for?”

“He didn’t like the sadness in your eyes when you departed. Since you left he, Alec and Katherine have been talking and they’d like to extend their hospitality to you.”

“Tell Mr. Ross that I appreciate the offer, but I will be flying home tomorrow. There is no need to put yourself out.”

“Why don’t you tell him yourself?”

Braden stepped around Elspeth. “Please stay with us tonight. I’ve found something in the attic that you may find interesting. Sketches of Laird Braden Ross, circa 1295.”

His words were too seductive to ignore. He didn’t draw her as her Braden did, but it would be a comfort to spend some time with his relatives. “If you’re sure it won’t be too much of an imposition?”

“Lass, we wouldn’t be here offering if we didn’t want you to stay with us.”

“Then I accept your invitation. Let me just get my bags.”

Braden moved forward. “I’ll get those, lass. You and Elspeth get into the Range Rover.”

“Come along, Catrìona.” Elspeth grasped her arm and led the way out of the hotel.

Fat, wet flakes fell, quickly covering their tracks in the pristine white snow.

Braden soon had her bags stowed in the boot and was climbing in behind the wheel. “Buckle up. The ride could get a little bumpy.”

Cat secured her lap belt and sat back. “I want to thank you again for inviting me.”

“I have a feeling that your Laird Ross would have it no other way. And you are welcome.” He glanced at the ring on her finger. “I see it fits.”

Cat blushed at being caught wearing the family heirloom. She started to remove the band but Braden stilled the action by reaching out and covering her fingers. “Don’t! It belongs on your finger. It’s found its home.” He squeezed her hand. “Promise you won’t take it off?”

The sincerity shining in his eyes had her speaking her promise aloud. “You have my word. And I will treasure this ring, always.”

The drive back to the castle was bumpy but Braden drove it like a man in total control. Not once did she fear they would slip over the edge.

Lights burned in all of the windows, making the castle bright and welcoming. Braden turned off the engine. He slipped out of the SUV and opened her door with a flourish. “Welcome to your castle, my lady.” He bowed low before capturing her arm to help her from the vehicle, then led her to up to the front doors.

Before Elspeth could open them, they swung back with the help of Ciaran. “Oh, good.” He turned and yelled over his shoulder, “Katherine, lass, Catrìona has returned.”

Ushered into the warm entry hall, she was quickly hugged by Ciaran and then Katherine.

“I hope it’s okay but I have you set up in the tower room.” Katherine smiled as she led Cat to the stairs. “We’ll get you settled and then go from there.”

“Please don’t go to too much trouble on my account,” Cat said.

Katherine gasped. “Don’t be silly. We wanted to do this. We should have issued the invitation when you were here to begin with.” She tucked her arm through Cat’s. “The chamber you’ll be sleeping in was your ancestor’s when she visited. Legends tell that Catrìona loved fairytales and had grand dreams of finding romantic love, despite having lost both her parents and being fostered by her mother’s clan. The MacDougall was ashamed of her half-Sassenach blood, so quickly arranged for the wee lass to be betrothed to our Laird Braden Ross.” Katherine leaned forward and whispered, “Her dreams were answered. Laird Ross loved his wee bride-to-be and the hard and feared Scottish warrior doted on her.”

Cat could well see Braden doing just such a thing, but didn’t say anything. She would have to be very careful what she said. Cat didn’t want to come off as a lunatic that talked to a centuries’ dead Scottish laird.

They reached the top of the stairs and Katherine pushed the chamber door open. “You get settled and come down so we can share some things with you.”

Cat found herself in a beautiful room. A canopy bed on a raised dais took center stage in the room. Colorful tapestries covered the walls and a cheery fire snapped and crack
led in the stone fireplace.

The chamber had changed since the last time she’d stayed here and she didn’t know how she felt about that. She cherished her memories even if she was the only one that knew what had happened.

With a last look at her room, she turned and went downstairs where she found her three hosts sitting on comfortable, overstuffed couches in the shade of hunter green.

“There you are. Would you like a glass of wine?” Katherine offered.

“Yes, that would be nice.”

Katherine poured her a glass and Cat found herself entranced by the firelight reflecting off the garnet-colored liquid. She took an appreciative sip and relished the fruity, yet woodsy, taste of the wine.

“We’re glad that you came back, lass.” Ciaran lifted a bottle of beer to his lips and took a swallow. “You left in such a hurry that we really weren’t able to talk to you. You surprised us when you brought up the other Braden.”

“I can imagine. I confess that I was rather desperate when I made this trip.”

“Why, lass?” Braden asked the softly spoken question.

She didn’t know what to say or how much to say. This family was incredibly giving, opening their home up to a complete stranger. Deciding she owed them the truth, but not willing to come across as a complete fruitcake, she opted to tell a partial truth. “I used to dream of a man and I did some research and realized I’d been dreaming about this castle. I hope you don’t think I’m nuts.”

“Not at all.” Katherine came to sit beside her. “I had a feeling it was something like that.” She nodded to Ciaran. “After you left, we went to the attic and started poking around. We found some things we’d like to share with you.”

Together, Braden and Ciaran hefted a sizable trunk o
ver to the couch where she sat.

“Have a look, lass.” Ciaran lifted the lid with a smile.

A woodsy, spicy scent, along with wool and leather, drifted on the air. She leaned over the trunk and gasped. There were old tartans, knives, and what looked like perfectly preserved white heather. On top of all of that were two sketches of her Braden.

In the first one it was only of his face and the artist had faithfully captured his strong visage. She fancied it was so lifelike that he would smile any minute. The second was a lot different. Cat could sense the love put into each line. This was a private moment between the artist and the man portrayed on the fragile paper. Without thought, she traced the lines of his mouth. She’d seen that sleepy yet replete look in his eyes after they’d made love.

“What do you know about him?”

Braden sat across from her and leaned forward. “I’m named after him. He was a well respected laird of our clan. It’s not unusual for tales to remain of loved ones, but his life and story is rather unique.”

Cat met his gaze. “How so?”

“As you know, he was to wed a half-English lass named Catrì
ona MacDougall. Your ancestor.”

Cat nodded. “Yes.” She looked back to the sketch and listened as Braden told his story.

“They were introduced when they were children. Laird Braden found her to be charming and as time passed, friendship turned into an endearing love. He worried that her family would hurt his lass. You see, her uncle didn’t want her there despite her being their niece. Her cousins were cruel and teasing. Despite the lack of love, she was a warm and caring person. When she was of age, Laird Ross went to fetch her to his home, a castle she’d visited often. Before he left, he’d requested a spell be cast by a druid priestess to protect them on their travels. Unbeknownst to him, this woman had held affection for him and she arranged an ambush. Catrìona was killed. Laird Ross never got over the loss of his heart and did something remarkable at the time by handing over lairdship to his cousin, Alec, who’d married his wife, Meagan.”

Cat swallowed. “He never married?”

“No. He claimed that no other could hold his heart because it was dead and buried beneath the Scottish soil.”

“How sad.” Cat stared out the large picture window at the back of the room. She had a clear view of the snow falling and the turbulent sea in the background.

“Are you all right, lass?” Katherine asked.

She swallowed the tears that threatened to fall. “Yes, just sad at such a tragic end to what could have been a very happy future.”

The fire snapped and popped as Cat lost herself in staring at her Braden’s likeness. “Thank you so much for sharing your ancestor’s history and your family’s treasures.”

She covered her mouth with her hands. “I should turn in, I have to catch an early flight tomorrow.”

Braden stood. “Will you be okay tonight?”

Cat smiled. “Yes. Thank you.” Looking at the modern day Braden caused her heart to ache. “Goodnight.”

“Please, you don’t need to see me to my room.” Cat began her ascent and paused when she heard Braden.

“Sweet dreams, lass.” He stood at the bottom of the stairs with a questioning look on his face.

“You, too, Braden. And thank you.”

Cat made her way up the spiraling stairs and breathed a sigh of relief whe
n she finally reached her room.

Resting her head against the wooden door, she closed her eyes. Her mind replayed the story she’d just heard and selfishly felt relief, knowing that Braden hadn’t married anyone else. At the same time, she mourned the fact that he’d lived his life alone.

She went to her suitcase and pulled out her pajamas, donned them quickly and then set her travel alarm so she could get up in the morning.

Cat looked out her tower window and watched as the snow continued to fall, making the landscape look as if it were covered with a coating of icing. The picture postcard scene with the lights from the village down below caused her to smile. The only thing keeping this from being a perfect memory was the fact Braden wasn’t with her.