“I have told him that more than once, Isobel.” Orick stood, nodding his head toward Isobel as he stepped toward the door. “But…he doesna ever listen to me. I think it best that I ready our horses, but I thank ye for yer hospitality and I hope that we meet again one day.”
Adwen watched as Orick kissed Isobel’s hand before ducking through the doorway, leaving them alone.
Isobel turned to him as soon as Orick was gone, reaching out to give his hand a gentle squeeze.
“Jane is a bonny lass, Adwen, but if ye wish to win her, ye will have to do better than that.”
Some part deep inside him rallied against Isobel’s suggestion. He didn’t win the hearts of women; he didn’t wish to. He bedded them and said goodbye. It was the pattern of his life. It was easy and comfortable, and he saw no sense in changing it any time soon.
“I doona wish to win her, Isobel.”
“Oh, aye, o’course ye doona. ’Tis why yer shoulders tense every time I say her name and why ye couldna help but smile when I told ye she would be here shortly. Since then, ye have glanced at the door every few moments, watching for her.”
“I doona know how to care for a lass, Isobel. Doona be fooled by my behavior toward ye, I am no verra skilled at treating them kindly.”
Isobel stood from her seat, reaching to gather their plates as she spoke with her back toward him. “If what ye say is true, ’tis only because ye have never met a lass to require it of ye. Until, perhaps, now.”
She sounded just like Orick. Could he really have spent his entire life unintentionally choosing women nearly as foolish as himself? The thought made him uncomfortable and ashamed.
“Ye sound like Orick, Isobel. Even if I did fancy Jane, ’tis no me that she cares for.”
Isobel faced him, humor dancing in her eyes. “Do ye mean to suggest that she fancies Orick? Doona be a fool, Adwen. Orick is right. She only kissed him to get to ye, and she wouldna have bothered doing that if ye had no stirred something within her. When Gregor and I walked up on the kiss and she pulled away, ’twas no us she looked at first, but ye. She wished to see yer reaction.”
He hoped what she said was right but, in truth, it didn’t matter. He would have scarce opportunity to see her again. By now, Orick would be ready with the horses, and it didn’t look like Jane would be arriving to work on time.
“’Tis of no matter, even if ye are right. Cagair Castle is a long distance from here and, once I return home, my travels will come to an end for some time.”
“Ye have traveled a lot then?”
Adwen exhaled at Isobel’s question, pleased that Jane was no longer the center of their conversation. He stood to help her clean, and they spoke as they worked together.
“Aye. There are few known places in the world that me and my brothers have no visited. We were raised on the road and ’tis where we belong—no in a castle.”
“Ye are no pleased to become laird. I understand why. To be able to see other lands...” Isobel paused and Adwen watched the far-off look in her eyes, allowing her the moment of dreaming. “There is nothing more that I would rather do, but ’tis a wish I shall have to let die with me.”
Adwen’s breath caught in his chest, and he had to blink to keep from tearing up. Orick was right, but it had taken this sick woman to show him just how little he appreciated his own life. She wanted desperately to get a taste of the joys he took for granted.
Orick stepped into the doorway. Adwen held up a hand to stop him. He wanted to say one last thing to Isobel before they left. Sick or no, he wanted to make her dream come true.
“Isobel.” He swallowed in the hopes it would prevent his voice from cracking as he spoke. “Cagair Castle is but a three day ride from here, and ye pass through some of Scotland’s most beautiful scenery. How would ye and Gregor like to come and stay with us for a time?”
Her eyes lit up, but he could see how she restrained from getting excited. He knew well enough what her first reaction would be.
“I would never survive the journey. The weather grows colder with each passing day.”
“Aye, ye could. Ye forget who ye are speaking to. While I am skilled at little, travel is where my greatest strength lies. If I send men to help escort ye, do ye think ye could convince Gregor to allow it? Ye will see fewer guests as the weather chills, and I will pay ye the money ye will lose by closing for the rest of winter.”
Isobel smiled and gripped onto his hand as he stood. “Do ye truly wish us to come so badly?”
Adwen nodded without hesitation. He’d had few experiences in his life where he felt such an instant sense of kinship as he had with Isobel. “Aye, I wish to give ye this opportunity, Isobel, to help ye to see things unknown to ye. Please allow me to do so.”
“Aye, I’ll allow it.” She followed him to the door, reaching out to grab his arm as he stepped outside. “Will ye allow me to do something for ye in return?” She didn’t allow him the opportunity to answer. “Let me bring Jane along.”