Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Sitting cross-legged on the carpet in front of the hearth, Eleanor sighed as she looked at the makeshift map she had drawn on a large piece of parchment. The map had no roads and lacked place names, yet she had drawn names and used lines to try to connect them all.
“There has to be some connection in here,” she whispered to the empty room.
“Do ye often talk to yerself?” Callum asked, drawing her attention to the open door.
Shifting her posture, Eleanor looked over her shoulder. “Aye, when I am the only sensible person in the room,” she teased, feeling the strain in her back and neck. She had been poring over the documents for hours, trying to make sense of who the mysterious Donald Stewart could have been.
“Have ye had any luck?” Callum asked, coming into the study as he shut the door behind him.
Things seemed to have evened out between them again since their discussion the previous night, yet she still was not sure how to read him.
She shook her head and turned her gaze back to the makeshift map.
“None of it makes any sense. Some of the deeds signed by Donald Stewart go back years, yet there is nae record of his birth or even death. The forgery was tested to be true. He is the same man who signed all of the deeds of transfer. Some of the lairds died before havin’ their lands transferred, but some of them seemed to have willingly signed the deeds over. ”
Callum closed the distance between them, staring down and over her shoulder, seeming pensive for a while. “I daenae think that any laird in his right mind would have signed over his lands.”
Eleanor sat up a little straighter. “Do ye think they were forced?” She turned back to him, craning her neck to get a better look at his expression.
He nodded. “Aye, whoever Donald Stewart is, he has a way of persuading the lairds, either by force or bribery.”
Letting out a heavy breath, Eleanor shifted her position on the rug. “I have been thinkin’. Whatever happened to the bannerman who betrayed yer father?”
“His name was Kincaid, Stewart Kincaid.”
Eleanor’s ears pricked up.
“But I daenae think that he has anything to do with Donald Stewart,” he said firmly.
“But ye cannae ken that. Stewart could be part of the alliance he uses to get revenge.” Her mind ran wild with the theory. “Whatever happened to the man after he killed yer father?”
“He died after being exiled from the clans. I daenae ken how, but his death was confirmed.” He walked past her and chose a seat on the settee, stretching his legs out in front of him.
Her hopes suddenly fell again. “I just daenae understand how it is possible for a man to leave nay trace, even with an alias. I was sure that the man who killed yer father would have wanted revenge.”
“Aye, that he would have, and if someone wanted revenge in his place, they would nae have used his name; it would be too easy to trace.” He eased himself onto the settee, watching her closely as she mused over all of the information she had written down.
Coming to her knees, she leaned forward over the map, drawing a line through the word bannerman at the top of her list of theories.
The study was quiet as she worked with the fire crackling in the background.
It was not until she looked up again that she noticed Callum staring intently at her, yet his eyes were fixed a little south of her face.
Looking down, she quickly noticed the swelling of her breasts that were spilling over her neckline and corset.
She gasped before quickly coming up straight and pulling up her dress.
The smirk on Callum’s face made the blood rush to her cheeks as she quickly looked away and cleared her throat.
“Daenae, be embarrassed, lass, ye have nice breasts…” The word rolled off his tongue like syrup dripping from a bannock.
He is teasin’ me.
Eleanor turned her head to glare at him, but regretted her decision instantly when she noted the way he had lifted his leg onto the settee, exposing his groin through the fabric of his breeches.
She quickly averted her gaze again and came to her feet, busying herself with the documents that she began to gather.
Images from the time in the cabin flooded her mind. He had been naked then, yet she had not blushed in the presence of his chiseled chest or the sharp opening that led to the line of his breeches.
Saints preserve me. I cannae think such things.
She attempted to compose herself, ignoring the smirk that was still present on his lips.
A sudden idea occurred to her as she looked up and returned his smile.
If he wanted to play games with her, then she would beat him at his own game.
There was no sense in backing down when he clearly got joy from making her uncomfortable.
Placing the documents on the table, she quickly turned to him and smiled, resting her hands on the desk. “Would ye care for some ale, me Laird?” She allowed the corner of her mouth to lift into a half smile as she purposefully pressed her shoulders together, making her breasts pop out.
A frown creased his brow. He had seen this before, and the last time, he had managed to restrain himself. Yet he made no move as he stared at her. “Aye, a dram of ale would be good.”
“Oh, we will be wantin’ far more than just a dram, me Laird.
” Her lips turned to a full smile as she turned from him, enjoying the confusion she was creating.
She had never been a tease with men in her life, but she was finding the shocked look on his face a welcome distraction from all of her troubles.
She walked over to the table with ale and poured them both a mug before carrying it over to him.
She waited for a breath, just long enough for him to anticipate her turning around.
When she did, she met his gaze, strong and sure.
Callum ran his tongue over his lower lip, making her want to laugh when she realized that her teasing was working. He was utterly enthralled by her, and she secretly enjoyed the manner in which he was looking at her.
She closed the distance between them, allowing her fingers to linger on his for just a moment too long. The sensation almost made her gasp as she pulled back, quickly regaining her composure.
I need to be more careful.
Eleanor cautioned herself before making her way over to her seat. Her movements were deliberate and calculated when she placed the mug of ale beside her chair and sat. She unpinned her hair, allowing her golden locks to fall to her waist.
Callum swallowed hard, licking his lips once again before watching her over the rim of his mug.
That will teach him.
She almost smirked when his gaze dropped to her chest and traveled down to her shapely legs that she stretched out beside her.
The thin fabric of her dress was thick enough to keep her warm, yet sheer enough that the shape of her legs and hips could be seen.
She ran her fingers through her loose hair, sighing heavily as if she were enjoying the moment.
Changing his expression, Callum placed his mug of ale on the table beside him before getting to his feet.
Uncertainty filled her mind as she watched him close the distance between them.
Leaning over, Callum allowed his lips to form a knowing smile as he leaned closer to her ear, placing his hands on either side of her hips.
His hot breath tickled her skin, sending a shiver of pleasure down her spine.
“Daenae think that I daenae ken what ye are doin’, lass,” he growled in her ear before reaching up and curling a strand of her hair around his finger.
Eleanor’s breathing deepened as she dropped her eyes, refusing to look at him.
She regretted starting the game, yet the irresistible pull that she felt toward him made her core clench as she fought to remain calm.
He smelled of rain, sawdust, and old leather books with just a hint of ale and tobacco thrown in.
He leaned closer, allowing his lips to almost touch the tender flesh beneath her ear. “If ye want me, lass, all ye have to do is say the words…” His sentence hung in the air like a challenge, making her heart flutter as her pulse raced.
What do I do now?
She suddenly froze, uncertain of what to do next.
Callum’s lips curved into a smile against her skin before he drew back.
Pushing himself up, he looked down at her.
“Daenae start games that ye arenae willin’ to finish.
If ye ever tease me again, ye shall have to bear the consequences of what happens next.
” His eyes were almost smoldering with passion when he looked into her eyes.
Eleanor’s heart skipped a beat as her lips parted with silent words. She wanted so badly to say something smart, yet her words failed her until he turned from her to leave.
Daenae tease me, lass.
His words rang in her ears long after he had shut the door behind him.
I shouldnae have done that.
She sat in silence, thinking of the heat that still radiated through her body.
That woman will be the death of me.
Callum strode toward the castle, having come back from a patrol on foot.
He had wanted to clear his mind, yet all he could think about was the way her hips had moved and the swelling of her breasts when she loosened her curls.
He knew very well that she had been teasing him, yet her methods had effectively aroused him.
He swore under his breath as he neared the field beside the castle where laundry was hung, and children played.
He had attempted to find Bran before setting off on patrol, but the dog had been nowhere to be seen.
He followed the sound of joyful yapping until he rounded one of the giant oaks that grew along the border of the castle and stopped.
The picture that met his gaze made his chest clench as he folded his arms over his chest and watched.
Bran was playing with Eleanor, chasing her to the line of trees before tucking his tail between his legs and running back. His long pink tongue flapped in the wind as he yelped whenever he allowed her to catch him.
Callum could not help but watch her closely as she tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ear. She was radiant in beauty as the sun shone down on her in a rare moment of warmth.
She began to run again, but toppled to the ground and laughed when Bran accidentally knocked her over.
Traitor.
He almost glared at the dog when he jumped to his feet and began to lick her arms and face.
Eleanor laughed uproariously as she attempted to fight the dog off.
It had been a long time since Callum had played with Bran in such a free-spirited manner.
He had almost forgotten how playful and fun the animal could be.
Bran had been a gift from his father, and although the dog was getting on in years, he still knew his way around a battlefield like all of the men that Callum had trained.
“Somethin’ interestin’?” Iain asked as he came up beside Callum.
Tearing his gaze away from the scene in front of him, Callum glared at Iain when he began to smirk.
“Or should I say, someone bonnie and interestin’?” His gaze wandered over to Eleanor, who sat up straight and began to stroke Bran’s long back.
“I was watchin’ Bran, he was supposed to come with me to check the borders,” he grumbled, trying to push down the feelings that were nagging in his chest. Why did it bother him so much that Bran seemed to prefer her company over his?
Or was it the fact that he, too, wanted to be in her company more than he cared to admit?
She was intelligent, funny, kind, and far more beautiful than anyone he had ever seen.
“Aye, seems like ye have been replaced,” Iain chuckled.
“Ye are one to talk. I have nae seen Marion speakin’ to ye ever since that day in the yard,” he bit back.
Iain’s face suddenly fell as he looked more serious. “She has been busy.”
Callum pushed himself off the tree and clapped Iain on the shoulder. “Aye, busy avoidin’ ye. Ye had better have a conversation with her before it is too late.”
“And what do ye mean by too late?” Iain’s frown deepened as he looked at his boots.
“Ye daenae ken what tomorrow holds. If ye feel somethin’ for the lass, then ye had better tell her.
She may just get tired of waitin’ for ye and find someone who does want her in the way she deserves.
” Callum’s gaze moved back to Eleanor as she began to walk back toward the castle with Bran at her side.
She still seemed blissfully unaware of the fact that Callum and Iain were watching her.
She will find someone to marry.
Callum felt his chest clench with a pang of jealousy, although he did not know why. She had every right to marry another man if she chose. Their agreement had only been until the true mastermind behind his attack revealed himself, and that moment was steadily drawing closer the more they waited.
It felt strange to think of a time in his life when she would not be present.
“Aye, but that only matters if I love her,” Iain broke through his thoughts again, drawing Callum’s attention back to the present.
“Aye, it only matters if ye love her. Ye had better find out if ye do before ye regret lettin’ her go for the rest of yer life.”