Page 23 of Return to Clan Sinclair
“Only for the last five years,” he said.
So there weren’t memories in every room, around every corner, unlike her situation in Ireland.
Iverclaire was a grand castle, more than adequate for the four brothers and their wives, with room left over for a dozen more family members.
She’d found refuge from memories by moving into one of the abandoned gardener’s cottages on the estate. It boasted three rooms, adequate space for her and the girls. The kitchen was ample, opening up into a large sitting room. The girls had one bedroom and she the other. More than anything else, it offered privacy and silence, blessed silence.
“Macrath and I grew up in Edinburgh, and I’m surprised he chose to live here.”
“While I greet the Atlantic each day. The ocean appears angry most of the time, unlike here.”
“My daughters would like the beach,” she said. “And the grotto.”
She felt her cheeks warm at the mention of the grotto and wished she hadn’t said anything. He would think she was recalling the first time she saw him, and of course she was doing no such thing. That the image of him on the beach was seared into her mind was something she needed to remedy.
At the base of the back stairs she turned to face him.
He held out his hand and she placed hers in it.
“I want you safe, Ceana.”
By his words he meant for her to stay close to Drumvagen. Did he also mean to avoid him? She had a feeling she should do both.
She nodded, pulled her hand free and began to mount the steps, forcing herself not to look back at him.
CHAPTEREIGHT
“I’m really worried about her,” Virginia said, slipping into bed beside her husband.
Macrath gathered her up in his arms and addressed the ceiling. “We have a plethora of females in our household, so you could mean any one of them. Fiona? One of the maids? Brianag?”
She slapped his chest. “You know I mean Ceana. She isn’t herself.”
“At least she’s not hiding in her room.”
She raised up and stared at him in the darkness, wishing she hadn’t extinguished the lamp.
“She was fatigued.”
“She was malingering,” he said. “Ceana often retreats when she doesn’t know how to handle a situation or she’s avoiding it.”
“What situation is she avoiding?” she asked, dropping back onto the mattress.
“I’m not sure. Maybe the decision to move home. Maybe Bruce.”
“Bruce?”
He chuckled and tightened his arm around her. “Haven’t you seen the looks they give each other? Part animosity, part interest. They’re just like Mairi and Logan were. Bruce couldn’t stop looking at Ceana and she studiously avoided looking anywhere in his direction.”
She had noticed, but thought Ceana didn’t like the American. A pity, since she truly liked Bruce Preston. So did Macrath.
“I think we should invite Marie and Logan here. And Finella as well.”
“A reunion would be nice,” she said.
He shook his head. “No, not simply a reunion Perhaps all of us can convince her to remain in Scotland.”
“I don’t think there’s any problem with that,” Virginia said. “Ceana needs a place to stay. Granted, she can go and live in Edinburgh, but wouldn’t it be lovely to have her here? I have missed her so.”
