Chapter 18 #2
She stopped short, her breath catching. “James… we are nae truly betrothed,” she said, her voice unsteady. “And I think it best that I leave as planned.”
He went still, and for a fleeting moment, she saw it, the flicker of something raw in his expression, gone almost as quickly as it came. He straightened, his voice returning to that controlled steadiness she knew too well.
“Drummond has nae taken another bride,” he said. “Me scouts have kept watch.”
Eloise frowned slightly, confusion and concern mingling. “What does that mean?” she asked.
He turned to face her then, his gaze intense. “It means ye are still in danger,” he said. “If ye return, he may come for ye.”
Her stomach twisted at the thought. “Then ye think this will stop him?” she asked quietly.
He nodded once. “If we send out the letters inviting the clans, he will believe our bond to be real, he will nae risk crossing me,” he said.
Eloise considered this, her thoughts racing. “And the clans?” she pressed. “Will they nae see it as an insult, to come all this way for naught?”
He shook his head slightly. “They will be welcomed,” he said. “Fed, housed, treated as honored guests.”
She tilted her head, studying him. “And what will ye tell them?” she asked.
“That the wedding is postponed for the following season,” he said simply. “Turn this celebration into a gathering instead. They willnae be insulted if they have full bellies and full mugs.”
Eloise exhaled slowly, nodding. “Aye… that could work,” she admitted.
They fell into silence again, though this time it felt heavier, weighted with everything unsaid.
She found herself watching him, her gaze tracing the strength of his shoulders, the surety of his stance, the quiet power he carried so easily.
Her heart beat faster, her thoughts betraying her once more.
She wanted him to reach for her, to close the space between them, to forget every reason they should not.
“Ye are quiet,” he said suddenly, his voice softer now.
She looked away quickly, her cheeks warming. “I am thinking,” she replied.
He stepped closer, just enough that she could feel his presence more keenly.
“About what?” he asked.
Her breath caught, and she dared a glance up at him. “About everythin',” she said truthfully.
His gaze held hers, searching, as though he might uncover the thoughts she could not speak. For a moment, neither of them moved.
And in that stillness, Eloise felt the pull of him stronger than ever, a quiet, dangerous longing she could no longer deny.
“I used to come here as a lad,” James said, his voice quieter than she had ever heard it, almost thoughtful.
Eloise glanced at him, surprised by the softness in his tone. “Aye?” she asked, her gaze drifting over the lush green and scattered stones.
He nodded, his eyes scanning the place as though seeing it as it once was.
“It felt… different then,” he admitted. “Like the world beyond didnae matter.”
Eloise smiled faintly, her chest warming at the rare glimpse of the boy he must have been. “I can see why,” she said gently. “’Tis a bonnie place… feels like the sort where fae might dwell, watching unseen.”
A ghost of a smile touched his lips at that, his gaze flickering back to her.
“And would ye trust such creatures, lass?” he asked lightly.
Eloise tilted her head, considering. “I think I would,” she replied, her voice soft. “If they meant nay harm.”
He huffed a quiet breath, something unreadable passing through his expression. “A dangerous way to think,” he murmured, though there was no real rebuke in it.
They lingered only a moment longer before turning back toward the castle, the quiet between them settling once more. Eloise found herself stealing glances at him, her thoughts drifting to the way his voice had softened, the way he had looked at her.
They had nearly reached the path when her foot caught on a loose stone, and she stumbled with a startled gasp.
Before she could fall, his arms were around her, steady and strong, pulling her firmly against him.
Her breath hitched as she collided with his chest, her hands instinctively grasping at his tunic.
“Careful,” he said.
She looked up, her heart racing, and found his gaze already fixed upon her, intense and searching.
“I am fine,” she whispered, though she made no move to pull away. His hands remained at her waist, firm, as though reluctant to release her.
“Ye are forever finding ways to fall into me arms,” he said quietly, though there was no mockery in it.
Heat rose to her cheeks, but she held his gaze. His hand tightened slightly at her waist, his thumb brushing faintly against her side, sending a shiver through her. Eloise’s breath grew shallow, her eyes dropping briefly to his lips before lifting again.
“James…” she whispered, unsure whether it was a warning or an invitation.
He leaned closer, just enough that she could feel his breath against her skin, the moment stretching thin with tension. Her heart pounded, every part of her aching with the desire for him to kiss her. For a fleeting second, she thought he would.
Then he stilled, something hardening behind his eyes, and he drew back abruptly.
“We should return,” he said, his voice rough with restraint.
Eloise swallowed, the absence of his touch leaving her strangely cold.
“Aye,” she said softly.
Though her heart lingered with what might have been, if he would simply break down his walls.