The Highlander's Forbidden Bride(68)

“Time will tell whether I do or not,” Carissa answered. “I need to know more about Cregan’s whereabouts before I share any information with the Sinclares. With that said, it is best we return. I have been gone long enough.”

Dykar agreed, and Septimus promised to let them know when he heard anything new.

The guard that had followed her to the stable and saw that she intended to see to her horse’s care was still outside talking with two of his friends. She was grateful her absence had not been noticed, but then she had kept her time with Septimus short though she had wished for more. Cregan was not a man to dismiss lightly, and she would have preferred to linger and discuss possible scenarios that Cregan might consider and their options in preventing them.

She did wish that she could confide in Ronan, but presently she wasn’t sure if that was the wisest decision. She didn’t wish to place anyone in any danger, though danger lurked either way. It was just that until she knew more, she felt it was best she say nothing. And at the moment, she wanted nothing more than to steep in a tub of hot water and wash her weariness and worries away.

The guard followed her to her cottage, and when she entered, she was disappointed to see that no bath awaited her. Frustrated and tired, she reluctantly left the cottage and went to the keep.

Addie was the only one in the great hall and she hurried off the bench and walked over to Carissa. “I’ve been waiting for you. Ronan asked me to see to a bath and some clean clothes for you.”

“I would truly appreciate both,” Carissa said sincerely.

“Follow me,” Addie said.

Carissa couldn’t help but notice the odd way Addie looked at her. She wasn’t certain if the woman was trying to peer deeper into her or if she struggled to keep her hatred from showing and her mouth from speaking. She continued to wonder over it though she made no comment.

She was surprised when Addie took her to Ronan’s room. A tub waited and was soon being filled by a bevy of servants. A dark blue wool dress gathered beneath the breast with light blue ribbon lay on the bed waiting for her. It was lovely and reminded her of gowns she once wore and a life she once lived, but now she preferred simpler garments, a simpler life.

Carissa would not disrobe in front of any of them, and so she waited for the servants to leave. When they finally did, and Addie was just about to, she turned to her and asked, “You treat me so kindly, and yet you look at me as if…” Carissa shook her head. “I can’t define it, I just know there is something there you wish to say, and I prefer you say it.”

“You are a puzzle to me, dear,” Addie said walking over to her. “And I will admit that it is all because Ronan has fallen in love with you. At least he believes it is you he loves. Before that, I would have believed you like your father, heartless and selfish, but if my son thinks otherwise of you, then I must learn for myself what it is he sees that others don’t, or haven’t been allowed to.”

Carissa raised her head proudly. “I am who you see standing here.”

Addie smiled. “What we see in front of us isn’t always the truth of things.” Addie laughed. “Take Hagen. He’s a large man, tall and broad who at first glance could frighten the devil out of you and yet—”

“He is the kindest of souls and his speech more articulate than one would expect,” Carissa finished.

“So then he isn’t what he appears to be, and I daresay my son saw the same in you.”

“Ronan hates Carissa,” she said sadly.

“He doesn’t know Carissa, nor do I,” Addie said. “Therefore, I must get to know you before I am to judge you. And the reason I stare so oddly at you?” She shook her head. “You look startlingly familiar to me and yet I—” She continued shaking her head. “I cannot recall where it is I could have seen you.”

“I doubt you have seen me anywhere. My father kept me cloistered as much as possible.”

That got Addie to stop shaking her head and instead laughing. “If you were like most children, you would have found a way to sneak off on your own.”

Carissa grinned. “I did, and I had the best adventures.”

“Then you and Ronan have something in common, for he did the same when he was young.”

“But he had brothers to share it with.”

“Not all the time,” Addie said. “He often sneaked off on his own, to have his own adventures. He would return and confide his secret endeavors, and I, in turn, would keep them secret.”

“As you do now with what he has confided to you about me?” Carissa asked.

Addie nodded. “Why don’t you tell me why you love my son?”