Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
“Give him space, and let him come to me when he is ready,” she whispered.
Eva had been pacing her chamber, pausing every so often to stare at the door as if willing it to open. Word had reached her that Connor had returned, and that he’d brought a young man with him, which set her heart thrumming with hope and dread all at once.
When the knock finally came, she gasped softly and opened the door with trembling hands.
Connor stood on the threshold, travel-worn and pale, his eyes too bright and too tired all at once. For a breath, they only looked at one another, all the unsaid things pressing between them.
“Come in,” Eva said gently, stepping aside. He nodded and entered, the door closing behind him with a soft click.
“Are ye all right?” she asked at once, her voice thick with worry. “I was fair beside meself, Connor, nae kennin’ where ye’d gone or if ye were safe.”
He dragged a hand through his hair and said, “I am, and I’m sorry, Eva, truly.” He met her gaze and added, “I shouldnae have spoken so coldly to ye at the stables.”
She swallowed and shook her head. “It’s all right,” she said quietly. “Yer grandmaither told me about Michael, about why ye left so sudden.”
Her eyes searched his face as she asked, “Did ye find him then?”
Connor exhaled and replied, “Aye, I found him, and I brought him back here, but he doesnae believe he’s me brother.”
Eva’s hand flew to her mouth. “He doesnae believe ye?” she asked, stunned. “After all this, after ye risked so much?”
Connor gave a bitter huff and said, “Would ye, if ye were him?” He looked away and murmured, “If I were told me life was a lie, I’d fight it too.”
“If he doesnae believe ye then how did ye get him to stay?” she asked.
“Nae easily, for I made it hard for him to make any other choice than to come here with me,” Connor said.
She hesitated, then asked softly, “Connor… is Michael a captive?” The question hurt her to ask, but she needed the truth.
“Nay, never that.” His voice roughened as he added, “He can leave when he wants, but I ken I spoke too harsh, too forceful, tryin’ to make him see sense. Nay one would stop him if he tried to leave, his door is nae locked.”
Eva crossed the room and took his hand, her thumb brushing over his knuckles.
“Ye’re carryin’ a great weight,” she said gently. “Findin’ yer brother alive, only to have him doubt ye, that would shake any man.”
Connor’s shoulders sagged as he admitted, “I daenae ken how else to do it, Eva, and now I fear I’ve already failed him.”
She squeezed his hand. “Ye havenae failed,” she said firmly. “Truth takes time, and hearts daenae bend just because we ask them to.” She gave him a small, sad smile and added, “He’s here, Connor, and that alone is a miracle.”
He looked at her then, really looked, and some of the tension eased from his face.
“I was afraid ye’d think less of me,” he confessed quietly. “Afraid ye’d see me as cruel, like me faither.”
Eva shook her head and said, “I ken the man ye are.” Her voice softened as she added, “And I ken ye’d walk through fire for those ye love.”
Connor stepped closer, resting his forehead briefly against hers. “I daenae deserve ye,” he murmured.
She laughed softly and replied, “That’s nae for ye to decide.”
Drawing back, she asked, “Will ye let me meet him, when the time’s right?”
Connor nodded slowly and said, “Aye, I think… I think that might help more than he kens.”
Eva felt the ache of worry still there, but it was steadied now by hope and by Connor’s presence.
“I feel awful for the way I spoke to ye the day I left,” he said with regret. “I was fairly heated with anger after hearin’ about Michael, and I let it spill where it had nae right.”
Eva watched his eyes as he spoke, seeing the honesty there.
She drew a slow breath and nodded. “I kent ye were troubled,” she replied softly. “I’m learnin’ yer moods, Connor, even the sharp ones.” A faint, wry smile touched her lips as she added, “Though I’d rather ye nae take them out on me.”
He gave a low sound that was half laugh and half sigh.
“I missed ye, lass,” Connor said, the words rough as if pulled from deep in his chest. He stepped closer, leaving her barely any space to breathe.
Eva’s heart thudded hard as she felt the heat of him, the familiar pull that always drew her in. Before she could answer, his arms came around her.
Connor kissed her with a force that stole her breath, all the pent-up fear and longing pouring through the touch.
Eva gasped softly against his mouth, her hands clutching at his tunic as if to steady herself.
The world narrowed to the warmth of his lips and the strength of his hold.
She melted into him, every lingering hurt easing beneath the certainty of that kiss.
It felt to her as though he was trying to say everything he couldn't find words for.
His mouth moved against hers with a hunger that made her knees weaken, and she leaned into him without thought.
Her fingers slid into his hair, holding him there, afraid to let the moment slip away.
The kiss deepened, slow and fierce all at once.
When they finally parted, her breath came unsteady and her cheeks burned.
She rested her forehead against his and whispered, “Ye can always apologize to me with a kiss.”
Connor brushed his thumb along her jaw, his touch suddenly gentle. “I ken that now,” he murmured.
Eva smiled, her eyes shining as she stayed wrapped in his arms. The hurt of the past days faded, replaced by warmth and hope.
“I thought we might take supper together this night, just the two of us,” he said, his voice gentler now, as if the sharp edges had been worn away.
Eva’s heart gave a small leap, and she smiled up at him. “I’d like that very much,” she replied.
No sooner had the words left her mouth than a knock sounded at the door.
Eva startled, then laughed softly as a stream of servants entered, moving with practiced ease. They carried a small table, fine linens, and silver dishes that filled the room with rich scents.
Connor shook his head in amusement. “I hoped ye would say yes,” he muttered.
“I can see that,” she said.
The table was laid with roasted venison glazed in honey, thick oat bannocks still warm from the hearth, and a pot of barley broth steaming gently.
There were potatoes mashed with butter, a dish of stewed apples spiced with cloves, and a small jug of dark ale beside a bottle of wine.
Candles were lit, their flames flickering gold against the stone walls.
The air felt suddenly intimate, wrapped in warmth and care.
Connor pulled out the chair for her, his hand steady and sure. Eva sat, smoothing her skirts, feeling oddly cherished by the simple courtesy. He took his place across from her, and for a moment, they only looked at one another. The quiet felt comfortable, not strained.
They spoke softly as they ate, trading small stories and smiles between bites.
“I had a lesson in the kitchens. Pauline is a fine teacher,” Eva told him of her morning in the kitchens, of Pauline’s laughter and the flour that had dusted her hair.
Connor chuckled, “I can picture ye there, bossin’ the lot of them with that smile,” he teased.
As the plates were cleared, Eva hesitated, then said, “I was thinkin’ of goin’ into the village the morrow. I’d like to buy some ribbon. For the weddin’, and for Jason so he can bundle his rocks.”
Connor lifted a brow, “I’ll have a guard ready to go with ye,” he said simply.
Eva frowned. “That’s nae necessary,” she replied. “I’ve walked those streets since I was a wee lass.”
His jaw tightened just enough to tell her the matter was settled. “I’ll nae hear it,” Connor said firmly, though his tone stayed calm. “Ye’ll have a guard, even if it’s only one hangin’ back.”
Eva opened her mouth to argue, then stopped. She studied him, seeing not control, but concern.
“Aye,” she said at last, softer now, “if it puts yer mind at ease.”
They lingered over the last of the wine, candlelight casting shadows across his face.
Eva found herself watching the way his eyes followed her, the way his attention never truly left her.
In that quiet moment, she felt a warmth bloom in her chest. He still cared, deeply, and he still wanted her close.
She realized she had been afraid he might pull away after all that had happened. Instead, here he was, sharing supper and worry in equal measure. The thought steadied her more than she expected.
Eva smiled to herself, feeling both relieved and desired, and for the first time that day, wholly at peace.
The next morning, Eva sat by the window with her hands wrapped around a warm cup of tea. Annabeth sat opposite her, with color back in her cheeks, watching her daughter with a knowing eye.
Eva broke the quiet first, her voice low. “I cannae help but worry, Maither, that the weddin’ may be postponed now, with all this trouble about Michael.”
Annabeth reached across the table and patted Eva’s hand. “That would be only natural, lass,” she said gently, lifting her cup. “But daenae fash yerself overmuch, for it’s plain as day that Connor cares for ye deeply, and ye’re still his betrothed.”
Eva nodded, staring into her tea as if the answer might be waiting there.
“Aye,” she said softly, “that’s true enough, he’s a good man, even when the world turns heavy on his shoulders.”
Annabeth smiled at that, a small, steady smile born of years and patience.
“Then ye must trust him to see this through,” she said. “A man cannae settle his heart proper if his past is cryin’ out at him, and that’s what this is.”
Eva drew a slow breath and straightened a little in her chair. “I ken,” she replied, “I just wish there was somethin’ I could do for him.”
“There is,” Annabeth said, her tone firm but kind. “Ye keep yerself busy, ye wait, and ye let him handle his family matters as he must.”
Eva considered this, then felt a small spark of relief stir within her. “I’ve already arranged an outin’ this day,” she said, lifting her chin. “Amelie and I are goin’ into the village to buy ribbon.”
Annabeth’s eyes brightened with approval. “That’s very good,” she said, nodding. “There’s nay sense sittin’ about wringin’ yer hands when life is still movin’.”
Eva smiled at her maither, feeling steadier than she had moments before. As she lifted her cup again, she thought that perhaps waiting did not mean standing still, and that comforted her more than she expected.