Chapter 11
As dawn painted the sky with hues of soft pastels, Keira stirred in her bed, the remnants of sleep clinging to her. Her dreams, when she had finally been able to fall asleep, had been restless, filled with the enigmatic face of Raphael, who seemed to haunt both her waking and sleeping hours.
She sighed, pushing the tangled strands of hair off her face, her mind already occupied with thoughts of him.
It was as if his presence had woven itself into the very fabric of her being, leaving an indelible mark on her heart.
She couldn’t imagine that a single kiss had the power to do so much.
But technically, they had kissed twice. Maybe two kisses were enough to do all of this?
Despite her efforts to maintain a semblance of composure, she found herself succumbing to the allure of his memory. The way his eyes had gazed at her, his voice resonating like a melody in her mind—it all tugged at her heartstrings, leaving her yearning for more.
She wondered what today would be like. Would he be his usual self and pretend as if nothing had happened?
Would he try to offer some sort of an explanation as to why he had left so abruptly last night?
Or would he simply try to avoid her? She didn’t know this man well enough to be able to predict his behavior, but every fiber of her being yearned to get to know him.
At that moment, a knock on the door interrupted her daydreaming.
“Yes?” she called out.
The door opened, and a kind-looking face of a young maid appeared in the doorway. She greeted Keira with a warm smile. “Good morning, Lady Keira,” she spoke with a thick accent, even more noticeable than her hosts’. “My name is Winona, and I’m here to assist ye in preparin’ for the day.”
Keira returned the smile. “Please, come in, Winona.”
The maid did as she was bid, closing the door behind her.
“I would be grateful for your assistance,” Keira continued. “I was thinking of something simple but elegant. You know, suitable for a casual day at home. I do believe that I have something perfect.”
“Ye ken that the Laird has prepared an entire wardrobe for yer choosin’?
” Winona sounded surprised. She waited a moment, then glided gracefully towards the wardrobe, which stood in the corner of the chamber.
She opened the door, and to Keira’s surprise, there were rows of gowns hanging inside, each one more beautiful than the next.
“When on earth did he do this!?” Keira gasped.
“While ye were takin’ a bath,” Winona explained. “He gave clear instructions on how to go about it.”
“He did?” Keira was left speechless at this little display of more than mere hospitality.
“Mhm. Now, if ye will permit me to make a choice.” Winona turned to Keira for one quick glance, and then she deftly selected a delicate morning gown, a soft pastel hue of lilac that seemed to complement Keira’s complexion to perfection.
The fabric was fine and light, ensuring comfort as well as style.
“I love it,” Keira gushed, allowing Winona to hang the gown in front of her figure, and then both women gazed at her reflection in the looking glass.
“I do believe it will suit ye perfectly.” Winona also seemed pleased with her choice.
“Your Laird really thinks of everything,” Keira said amusedly. She had to admit that she hadn’t expected this from him.
“Oh, Laird MacCurtney is a fine man.” Winona smiled, obviously in awe of the laird she was working for.
Keira wondered if all the women here were equally smitten by him. Although, she could not hold it against them. The man was indeed a fine specimen of a Scottish Highlander.
The maid proceeded to help Keira with her attire, her skilled hands making the dressing process a swift and seamless affair. The morning gown flowed elegantly over Keira’s frame, fitting her perfectly. The simple yet refined design accentuated her natural beauty without overshadowing it.
“Now, yer hair.” Winona urged Keira to sit down at the vanity table, where she proceeded to gently brush Keira’s hair with a soft-bristled brush, her movements caring and soothing.
Keira sat still, appreciating the calming rhythm of the brush gliding through her locks. The gentle strokes untangled any knots, allowing her hair to cascade down her shoulders like a waterfall. It was obvious that Winona was a very skilled lady’s maid.
Only, that really wasn’t what Keira wanted to find out. She was more interested in their enigmatic laird.
“So, have you been working long here at the castle?” Keira asked, endeavoring to sound indifferent, almost as if she were merely chatting to pass the time.
“Aye.” Winona nodded, focused on Keira’s hair. She spoke without lifting her gaze, but that didn’t diminish her focus. “Ever since Laird MacCurtney saved me and me family from that ship.”
“He saved you?” Keira gasped.
This man was a hero on top of everything? Keira couldn’t believe it. What else was she going to find out about him?
“Ye ken, he risked his life to save us.” Winona nodded pensively, but the more she spoke, the more questions arose in Keira’s mind.
Keira glanced at the young woman’s reflection in the looking glass. She could see Winona’s eyes lighting up with gratitude as she continued to braid her hair.
“He is a brave and kind-hearted man, he is. He has been through a lot, more than a single man ought to go through. And I dinnae care what anyone else says… He didnae deserve what happened to him.”
Keira nodded, though she couldn’t really make much sense of what Winona was saying.
It was hard to reconcile the image of the man who had saved lives with the playfully arrogant soul she had glimpsed during their encounters.
She felt an ache of sympathy for his pain and a desire to understand him better.
She was desperate for more information about this, about all the complexities of Raphael’s life, because she was starting to see the man behind the image he was presenting to everyone.
His stoic exterior hid a man struggling to find his way, to reconcile his past and his present.
Only… she didn’t know what that past held.
“And this ship, Winona, what—” Keira started, but she was interrupted by another knock on the door. “Yes?” she called out.
The door opened promptly, and Raphael’s mother appeared. “Oh, I have interrupted yer mornin’ preparations, dearie.” She smiled at Keira.
“No, no.” Keira shook her head. “We are almost done.”
“Aye.” Winona nodded, pulling away from Keira and marveling at the coiffure she had created.
Keira’s golden tresses were artfully woven into a crown of braids that adorned her head.
The main braid, intricately done, encircled her crown like a regal wreath, showcasing her radiant face.
Smaller, delicate braids intertwined with the main one, enhancing the intricate design.
Some wisps of hair were left loose, framing her face in a soft, flattering manner.
“It is marvelous, Winona.” Keira beamed. “I love it.”
“I am glad ye do, Milady.” Winona seemed even more proud now.
“It seems that ye are all ready to come to the dining hall with me and join me for breakfast,” Elspeth said, her tone expectant.
Keira immediately got up and walked over to her. “Yes, all ready.” She nodded, a little apprehensive but at the same time excited.
They made their way to the dining area, engaging in conversation. Elspeth was a charming woman, but Keira could sense that there was something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. After a moment, she attributed it to her own whirlwind of emotions.
It is all in your mind, Keira.
But that was easier said than done.
“You have a lovely home, Lady MacCurtney,” Keira commented as they passed by portraits of their ancestors staring stoically at whoever dared to look them in the eye.
Keira suddenly remembered Winona’s words.
“… saved us from the ship.”
What ship? Saved them how? From whom?
There were so many questions about this mysterious man, and she wanted answers to all of them before her time here was up. She wondered if asking him directly would bear fruit.
Raphael was a private man. She doubted he would share the burden of his past with her so easily. Perhaps she could speak with Winona again, and her words might shed some light on this mystery.
“… and this is a portrait of Laird Gregory Taylor,” Elspeth said, bringing Keira back to the present moment. “A remarkable man who left a lasting mark on our family.”
Keira observed the portrait of a stern-looking man with a strong jawline and piercing eyes, dressed in what appeared to be the attire of a naval officer. “He must have been quite a figure,” she commented, trying to engage in the conversation.
“He was.” Elspeth sighed, her gaze distant. “A dedicated naval officer, a loving husband, and a doting father. Yet, life’s tides can be unpredictable, and tragedies unavoidable.”
Keira sensed the weight of unspoken stories, and though curious, she respected Elspeth’s evident emotion. “Life at sea can be perilous,” she acknowledged gently.
Elspeth nodded, her features softening. “Indeed, it is. Shall we continue to the dining area? I’m sure breakfast awaits us, and Violet will be joining us shortly.”
Keira had heard that name being mentioned before, since she had arrived at the castle. She had also found out that there would be a cèilidh, so it was only expected that guests would start arriving slowly.
She didn’t know how she felt about that. Initially, she had been titillated by the idea that she would spend two weeks alone with Raphael, but upon second thought, this cèilidh was a good excuse as well. They would be surrounded by other people, and what better place to hide than in plain sight?
“I look forward to meeting her.” Keira smiled as they entered the dining hall.