Page 39 of Tempted By a Highland Beast
“Especially then.” Constantine’s voice was flat, final.
Theo studied his face for a moment, then nodded. “I’ll see tae the guards.”
After Theo left, Constantine remained at the window as darkness fell over Duart. Somewhere out there, Alpin MacKenzie was building his strength and planning his next move. And here, within these walls, Rowena was weighing a decision that would determine not just her own fate, but potentially the future of both their clans.
Constantine had faced overwhelming odds before, had survived situations that should have killed him through a combination of skill, cunning, and sheer stubborn refusal to yield.
But this felt different.
He’d seen enough to know that Rowena was everything he’d hoped for in a political match, and more than he’d dared expect. Her sharp mind, her practical skills, her understanding of leadership. But politics and attraction weren’t enough to build a lasting partnership and strong alliance on.
Constantine had learned long ago that a person’s true character revealed itself not in grand gestures, but in small, unguarded moments. He’d given Rowena time and space to make her decision, but that didn’t mean he had to remain idle. He’d find ways to observe her. He needed to know who she was beyond the clever observations and careful composure.
All he could do now was gather the information he needed to ensure he was making the right choice.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Constantine helped Rowena down from her horse at the edge of the village. Overhead, grey clouds drifted across the pale sky, letting through only slivers of sunlight, the air carrying the damp scent of an oncoming rain.
Three days had passed since their tour of the castle, and he’d found himself watching her constantly—the way she moved through Duart’s halls with growing confidence, how she listened when Lilias chatted about the harvest preparations, the thoughtful questions she asked about everything from crop rotation to trade agreements.
Now he wanted to see something else: how she’d fare among the people she might one day help lead.
“Nervous?” he asked, noting the way her fingers smoothed her dark blue riding dress.
“Should I be?” She lifted her chin, but he caught the slight tension in her shoulders.
“Nay. Just be yerself.”
The first cottage they approached belonged to Duncan, an older man whose wife had recently birthed their fifth bairn. Constantine made the introductions, watching as Rowena’s formal posture gradually relaxed.
“How is the wee one?” she asked Duncan’s wife, Mairi, who was hanging laundry despite the threatening gray clouds overhead.
“Growing like a weed, thanks be,” Mairi replied, wiping her hands on her apron. “Though he’s got a powerful set of lungs on him.”
Rowena laughed, the sound genuine and warm. “Me stepmaither says that crying is just a bairn’s way of making sure the world kens they’ve arrived.”
“Aye, well, this one’s made quite the announcement then.” Mairi’s eyes crinkled with humor. “Would ye like tae meet him?”
Constantine expected Rowena to decline politely, most noble ladies he’d been acquainted with showed little interest in common folk’s children. Instead, she stepped forward eagerly.
“I’d love tae.”
Inside the modest cottage, Rowena cradled the infant with practiced ease, cooing softly as the bairn fussed. “He’s a plump wee thing. Has a fine appetite, I wager,” she said to Mairi.
“Ye’re right about that,” Mairi laughed. “When we first had him, I couldnae keep up. I was still healing, and he’d latch on like a starved lamb every chance he got. But things are better now.”
“That must have been hard.”
Rowena gave Mairi a warm smile, but Constantine caught the passing horrified expression in her eyes.
Mairi must have seen it too because she laughed and drew Rowena closer. “It gets better. And Angus is a joy.”
Angus took the sound of his name as his opportunity to make himself known. He let out a scream that had Rowena reach for the child and gently patting him on the back. After a few minutes he quieted down, and dozed off into a nap.
“Ye’ve experience with bairns?” Mairi asked, settling into a chair by the fire.
“Some. I helped deliver a few when our clan’s midwife fell ill one winter.” Rowena adjusted the baby’s swaddling with gentle efficiency.
