Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Charlotte was relieved to be in the castle.
After all the time she had spent running around and sleeping in questionable places just to avoid being spotted by anyone who could inform her uncle of her whereabouts, she felt like she was suddenly in heaven.
Of all that she had been through in the past six years, meeting Owen was the best thing to ever happen to her.
Charlotte had been skeptical about following him to the castle, but his brother, Rory, had turned out to be just as hospitable as he was.
She did not know what it was about him that made her feel relaxed, but he exuded the same air as Owen.
Charlotte sighed as she stepped out of the basin.
The maids had brought her warm water, soap and some scented oils and, after washing, she soaked in the bath and washed her hair.
She wrapped herself in the thick robe that had been set out for her and walked into the room.
For almost three days, she had had to hurriedly bathe with Owen in the room with her, his turned back the only privacy she had been afforded or knowing he was just outside the door and could burst in at any moment if he was not the gentleman that he was.
She sat in front of the mirror and examined herself.
Being in this castle reminded her of her life before her parents died, she could feel the love and warmth within these walls.
Perhaps it was the warm embrace she had witnessed the brothers share, or the joy she had watched the servants exude when they saw Owen, or perhaps it was simply that the castle was filled with comfort.
Whatever the reason, she was happy here.
Sighing, she took up the brush left for her by the maid and ran it through her hair, relieved that the ends were no longer uneven.
Before she thanked and dismissed the maids, one of them offered to trim the edges, which Charlotte gladly accepted.
Charlotte closed her eyes and hummed, imagining her mother standing behind her, brushing her hair.
Charlotte finally allowed the tears she had been holding back to fall.
She had only allowed herself to be strong while she was out in the wilderness with no thoughts other than escaping her uncle.
She knew that if she allowed herself to be weak, she would collapse, unable to continue until she was assured of safety.
She did not know how long she spent crying before she wiped all evidence of the tears away and pasted a smile on her face. For now, she would not think about how sad her life had been, instead she would appreciate the chance we had given her for a fresh start.
The maids had left her a beautiful green dress that matched her eyes for her to wear and had taken her old clothes away. They told her it used to belong to Owen's sister Evie and that she could have whatever she wanted while she stayed here.
Charlotte fingered the fabrics of the dress. It was one of the finest materials she had owned in a long time.
She remembered the first and only time she had asked for some new clothes as the threads of her old ones thinned out.
Her uncle had laughed in her face and informed her she would be seeing no one other than him, so she did not need new clothes.
Charlotte was grateful that she had grown a little taller or fuller than she was when her uncle locked her up.
Her chest had filled out more and her hips had widened, but none of that mattered because her clothes had been quite free anyway.
Still, she was glad to be in something different.
When she escaped, she had only carried the little food and money she could take with her so as not to be burdened by the heavy weight of the sack while she ran.
She had itched to get out of the dirty outfit and into something cleaner.
It had pained her to bathe and return to wearing unclean clothes, for it only offered her an almost unnoticeable bit of relief.
The maid returned to help her slip into the dress before leaving her alone again.
The feel of the fabric amazed Charlotte on her skin.
She tucked her hair behind her ears before plopping on the bed, as she released a sigh of contentment.
She did not know how long she laid there, simply enjoying the softness of the bed and the comfort the room afforded her when she heard a knock on her door.
She raised herself to her elbows just as the doors opened and a freshly washed Owen came into sight.
Her mouth went dry as she took him in. She had been shocked to see him in the man's clothes two days ago but now, seeing him freshly washed and shaved, looking every bit as handsome as she had known he would be, sent heat pooling at the bottom of her stomach. She was attracted to this man
She blushed when she noticed the way he was staring at her.
It reminded her of his heated gaze the night they had spent together, and Charlotte wished she still had her long hair to hide behind.
She cleared her throat, jolting him from the trance he had fallen into, and smiled sheepishly, rubbing at the back of his neck.
"It is good tae see ye looking refreshed.
I wanted tae escort ye down for supper. Me maither and sister-in-law are back from their visit, and they would like tae see ye.
" Charlotte's heart beat faster at the thought of meeting the rest of his family but then she realized she didn't mind at all.
If they were every bit as wonderful and welcoming as Owen and Rory, then she would very much like to meet them.
"Ah, wonderful. I am quite famished actually," she said just as her stomach growled.
"Then ye will enjoy supper," he grinned at her just as they made their way down the stairs.
"We lot have an enormous appetite and like tae eat.
Ye will have yer choice of food at the table.
My brother asked the cook to make something nice tae welcome ye.
" Charlotte was touched by Rory's kindness and consideration.
"I feel honored," she said before frowning. "Although I wish he had not gone through all of that trouble for me. I would be content to simply have some good food."
"Ye need nae worry. Although he had ye in mind when he asked the cook to make a small feast, it is also for me.
Remember that it has been a long time since I was home.
My brother likes tae care for his people, so ye need nae worry," Owen told her just as they arrived at the dining room, where Charlotte saw Rory and his mother already seated and having a quiet conversation.
"Maither, this is Charlotte, my guest." Charlotte looked at the woman and curtsied.
"It is nice to meet you. Thank you for having me in your home," she said, hoping her words carried her sincerity.
"Of course, my dear. Any friend of Owen is welcome, nae matter Scottish or nae.
" She looked at Owen, who was smiling as he watched their interaction.
"Ye dinnae tell me how beautiful she is," she gushed, making Charlotte blush.
She had been right to assume that every member of his family was friendly and welcoming.
She could feel the mother's love for her children and the warmth directed at her.
Her eyes watered and she struggled to hold it back.
She knew she was beautiful, of course, but hearing this woman say it made her feel it in a way that only her mother had accomplished.
"Thank you," she struggled to get out. Just as Owen led her to her seat, she heard a voice from the entrance.
"Oh, who is this?" the woman asked before turning to Owen. "Oh my, what exactly are monks up to nowadays, locked away from public eyes?" she smirked at him, and Owen rolled his eyes.
"Margaret, please, nae now," he groaned. Charlotte turned around and looked at the woman, and the second she laid her eyes on her, they widened in shock. She knew Margaret all too well, and if she was not mistaken, the recognition in the woman's gaze was obvious, too.
Charlotte felt like her world was about to crumble.
Why did this have to happen? She looked down at the table and sat down, pretending she didn't just experience a crack in her heart.
She affected a stoic expression because she was terrified that anyone who looked at her would see that she was disturbed by Margaret's arrival.
What was she doing here? Would she out her and inform the others about who she truly was?
Charlotte did not know that the girl was married into Owen's family.
She would never have allowed Owen to talk her into coming here with him if she had.
But how could she guess that the second Musgrave sister would be Rory's bride when they were mortal enemies from what she knew?
Bloody hell, what should I do now? She wished she had been more interested in knowing about his family, but she knew that if she had asked him questions about them, he would have done the same and she did not want to lie to him.
Charlotte put on a brave face and looked up from the table. She needed to take control of the situation until it got out of hand and Margaret ruined things for her.
"Hello, I am Charlotte. It is nice to meet you, Margaret," she said, staring at the girl as she pleaded with her eyes for her to go along with it. She noticed Margaret's eyes widen in shock just before understanding dawned in her gaze.
"It is nice to meet you, Charlotte. Welcome to our home," she said, smiling at her.
Charlotte was relieved. She could not tell from how Margaret looked at her, whether she would play along or give her up.
She was very thankful, and she hoped she showed that in her eyes as she smiled at her as warmly as she could.