Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
“She's arrived!” Eloise gasped.
The sound of wheels crunching against gravel pulled Eloise to the window, her breath catching as she caught sight of the approaching carriage.
For a heartbeat, she stood frozen, hardly daring to believe it.
Then she gathered her skirts and ran, her steps quick and unrestrained as she hurried through the corridors and out into the courtyard.
The carriage had just come to a stop when she reached it, her chest rising and falling with anticipation.
The door opened, and there she was.
“Bea!” Eloise said with a bright smile.
Beatrice stepped down with lively energy, her red hair catching the light, her blue eyes bright with recognition.
“Eloise!” she exclaimed, rushing forward without hesitation.
They collided in an embrace, arms wrapped tightly around one another as though neither meant to let go. Eloise laughed and cried all at once, her composure dissolving entirely.
“I thought I’d never see ye again,” Beatrice said, pulling back just enough to look at her.
Eloise shook her head, tears still clinging to her lashes. “And I feared the same,” she admitted.
Beatrice cupped her face briefly, studying her. “Ye’re well,” she said, relief clear in her voice. “Better than well, from the look of ye.”
Eloise gave a small, breathless laugh. “Aye,” she said. “I am safe.”
Beatrice grinned. “And engaged, if the letters are to be believed,” she added, her tone teasing but curious.
Eloise’s cheeks warmed slightly. “Aye… that as well,” she said carefully.
“Well then,” Beatrice said, straightening and smoothing her skirts. “I must meet this mysterious Laird who has stolen ye away.”
As if summoned by her words, James approached from across the courtyard, his stride steady, his presence commanding as ever. Eloise felt the shift in herself immediately, though she tried to hide it.
“Ah,” she murmured. “That must be him,” Beatrice said.
James stopped before them, his gaze moving briefly to Eloise before settling on Beatrice.
“Ye must be Miss Beatrice,” he bowed. “Welcome to Calibroch.”
Beatrice dipped into a graceful curtsy. “Laird MacAllister,” she said politely. “It is an honor.”
His expression softened just slightly. “The honor is mine,” he replied. “Any kin of Eloise is welcome here.”
Beatrice smiled brightly. “I’ve heard much of ye already,” she said.
James raised a brow faintly. “I hope it was favorable,” he replied.
Beatrice tilted her head playfully. “Aye,” she said.
Eloise cleared her throat softly. “I’ll show her to her chamber,” she said quickly. “The servants can bring up her trunk.”
James nodded once. “Of course,” he said. His gaze lingered on Eloise for a fraction longer than necessary. “If ye require anythin’, ye need only ask.”
Eloise inclined her head slightly. “Thank ye, me Laird,” she said, her tone composed.
Beatrice glanced between them with open interest as they turned to leave. “Well,” she murmured under her breath as they entered the castle. “He isnae what I expected.”
Eloise shot her a look. “And what did ye expect?” she asked.
Beatrice grinned. “Someone less… imposing,” she said.
Eloise huffed softly. “Aye, well, ye’ll find he is many things,” she said.
They climbed the stairs together, their footsteps echoing lightly as Eloise led her through the corridors.
“Tell me everythin’,” Beatrice said eagerly. “From the moment ye fled the river.”
Eloise hesitated briefly. “There is much to tell,” she said. “And some things I cannae yet explain.”
Beatrice glanced at her sideways. “That sounds ominous,” she said.
Eloise gave a faint smile. “It is complicated,” she replied.
At last, they reached the chamber, and Eloise pushed the door open.
The room within was warm and inviting, furnished in rich carved wooden pieces and soft woven textiles.
A large bed stood against the far wall, draped in thick coverings, while a hearth crackled gently nearby.
A small table and chairs sat near the window, where light spilled across the floor.
“Oh,” Beatrice breathed, stepping inside. “This is beautiful.”
Eloise smiled faintly. “I thought ye might like it,” she said.
Beatrice turned in a slow circle, taking it all in. “Like it?” she said. “I could live here forever.”
Eloise’s expression shifted briefly at the words, though she said nothing.
Beatrice caught it. “What is it?” she asked.
“Nothing,” Eloise said quickly. “Only… I am glad ye are here.”
Beatrice softened at once, stepping closer. “As am I,” she said gently.
Then her eyes sparkled again. “Now,” she added, lowering her voice slightly. “Tell me the truth, Eloise.”
Eloise hesitated. Beatrice leaned in. “What is truly going on between ye and that Laird?”
Eloise stiffened slightly under Beatrice’s eager gaze, her thoughts scrambling for something, anything, that would satisfy her cousin without unraveling everything.
“First,” she said quickly, forcing a small smile, “we must have some refreshment. Ye’ve been traveling all day, and I’ll nae have ye fainting from hunger.”
Beatrice narrowed her eyes playfully. “Daenae think ye can distract me so easily,” she said.
Eloise let out a soft laugh. “I shall return in a moment,” she insisted, already moving toward the door. “Then I will answer what I can.” Beatrice huffed but waved her off. “Very well, but I expect answers, cousin.”
Eloise stepped into the corridor and closed the door behind her, the smile slipping from her face at once. She leaned back against the wood briefly, drawing in a slow breath. She hated this, hated the pounding in her chest at the thought of lying to Beatrice.
Of all people, Bea deserves the truth. But what choice do I have, when the truth could unravel everything and place me in danger?
“Just enough to satisfy her,” Eloise murmured to herself. “Nay more.”
“Miss?” Fiona’s voice broke her thoughts as the maid approached, her expression attentive.
Eloise straightened at once. “Aye, Fiona,” she said. “I was just about to seek ye.”
Fiona dipped into a small curtsy. “Is there somethin' ye require?” she asked.
Eloise nodded. “Tea and cakes, if ye please,” she said. “And perhaps some cheese and bread. Me cousin has traveled far and will be needin' it.”
Fiona smiled warmly. “Of course,” she said. “I’ll have it brought up at once.”
Eloise gave a grateful nod. “Thank ye.”
When Eloise returned to the chamber, Beatrice was already seated by the hearth, glancing about the room with open curiosity. “This place is finer than I imagined,” she said, looking up.
Eloise smiled faintly. “Aye, it is… comfortable,” she replied.
“Laird MacAllister is a very powerful man. One of the highest in the lands. Calibroch is proof of that,” Beatrice replied looking around.
“Aye, so I have learned while being here,” Eloise replied.
Moments later, Fiona returned with a tray, setting it down carefully before slipping out again.
Beatrice wasted no time, reaching for a cup. “Now,” she said, eyeing Eloise over the rim, “ye cannae escape me questions any longer.”
Eloise sat opposite her, her fingers curling lightly around her own cup.
Beatrice took a sip, then grinned. “He is very handsome, I’ll give him that,” she said bluntly.
Eloise nearly choked on her tea, her cheeks flushing. “Aye,” she admitted, unable to deny it.
Beatrice laughed delighted by the reaction. “Oh, so ye agree,” she teased.
Eloise shook her head slightly. “That isnae the point,” she muttered.
“Then what is the point?” Beatrice pressed. “Tell me how this came to be.”
Eloise hesitated, her gaze dropping briefly to her cup. The lie settled heavy in her chest, but she forced the words forward.
“After I ran away from home,” she began carefully, “I came upon this place. Castle Calibroch.”
Beatrice listened intently.
“The Laird found me,” Eloise continued. “He offered me shelter… food.” She swallowed lightly. “After a few days, he said he was in need of a wife.”
Beatrice blinked. “So sudden?” she asked.
Eloise gave a small shrug. “Aye,” she said. “He said he could offer protection. A good life.”
She forced herself to meet Beatrice’s eyes. “And I accepted.”
Beatrice absorbed this. “Because of Drummond,” she said quietly.
Eloise nodded. “Aye,” she said. “It was that… or return to him or be in the wilds on me own.”
Beatrice shuddered faintly. “Then ye made the right choice,” she said. “This is a better fate than those paths.”
A silence settled between them, softer now. Beatrice’s expression shifted, her earlier brightness dimming slightly. “I only wish ye had told me,” she said gently. “I was worried sick, Eloise.”
Eloise’s throat tightened. “I ken,” she said quietly. “And I am sorry.” She set her cup aside. “I didnae think it through,” she admitted. “I only kent I had to flee. I didnae think what it would do to all of ye.”
Beatrice reached for her at once. “Ye frightened us all,” Beatrice said, pulling her into an embrace. “We thought ye were gone.”
Eloise held her tightly, closing her eyes briefly. “I am here now,” she said softly.
Beatrice pulled back, her expression softening. “Aye, ye are,” she said. “And it seems things have worked out.” She glanced toward the door. “This Laird… he seems better than Drummond at least.”
Eloise let out a quiet breath, a faint, conflicted smile tugging at her lips. “MacAllister is… moody,” she said. “Insufferable at times.”
Beatrice laughed.
Eloise huffed softly. “And controlling,” she added. “He thinks because this is his castle, he commands everythin’ within it.”
Beatrice raised a brow. “And yet ye agreed to marry him,” she pointed out.
Eloise looked away slightly. “Aye,” she said. “Because despite all that… he is still a far better choice than Drummond.”
Beatrice studied her closely now. “That isnae all, is it?” she asked quietly.
Eloise stilled, her heart giving a sharp, traitorous beat. “It is enough,” she said firmly. Beatrice did not press further, though her gaze lingered with quiet suspicion.