The Recruit (Highland Guard #6)(106)

But she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to it than that. There had been an almost frantic, desperate edge to his lovemaking the last time he’d been here. She’d never felt closer to him, yet at times she felt him going somewhere in his mind that he would not take her.

She wanted his trust. She thought she had it. But what was bothering him and why wouldn’t he confide in her?

With another sigh, she stood. A billow of dust rose from her skirts as she shook them off, wiping her hands on her already filthy apron. For a small room, it had held an inordinate amount of dust—and spiderwebs, she thought with a shiver. Thankfully, the worst of it was gone. By the time they finished, this room would be spotless.

Returning to the problem of the trunk, she knelt down and lifted back the lid. She coughed as another blanket of dust was disturbed and the dank scent of mold and stale air filled her nose. It must have been years since someone had opened this.

She glanced inside. No wonder it had been so difficult to move. It wasn’t loaded with stones, but books. A veritable treasure trove of leather-bound portfolios, wrapped in exotic-looking fabrics that she recognized as having come from Outremer. There were also a few large potted jars, but as they were sealed with wax, she did not try to open them. Curious, she removed one of the books and flipped through the thick parchment pages.

It appeared to be a journal of some kind. Though she had some education, and could make out a few words, many of the entries appeared to have been written quickly, and the lettering was difficult to make out. But the drawings were beautiful. Flowers. Plants. Vistas. A veiled woman. And some of the strangest-looking animals she’d ever seen, including one that looked like a big, gangly horse with a long neck and hump on its back.

The book was magnificent. She would have opened another, but she heard a sound that made her jump to her feet.

She glanced out the small window and let out a yelp of excitement. He was back! Kenneth and a few of his men had just ridden into the yard.

Putting the book aside, Mary rushed down the stairs to meet him. She was winded and glowing with exertion by the time she reached the bottom of the third level. She entered the hall at the same time he did from the opposite side. With a cry that told her exactly how worried she’d been about him, she raced into his arms.

She could hear the reverberation of his laugh in his chest as he lifted her up and spun her in his arms. Still in his embrace, he set her feet back on the ground and pressed a quick kiss on her lips, the brevity of which she suspected was due to their audience. His voice was low and husky. “Miss me?”

An unexpected threat of tears rose behind her eyes. She seemed to cry at the drop of a pin lately. “Very much. I’m glad you’re back.”

His face clouded ever so slightly. “Not for long, I’m afraid. I have to return to the castle, but as Huntlywood was on the way, I couldn’t resist a brief stop to check on you.”

She smiled, trying to hide her disappointment. “As you can see, I’m fine.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” He dropped a kiss on her nose and released her.

Suddenly conscious of the men standing behind him, and remembering her duties, Mary blushed and immediately arranged for food and drink to be brought out.

They were seated at the trestle table and halfway through the meal when Kenneth glanced around with a frown. “Where is Sir Adam?”

“He was called to the castle.”

“I thought he was leaving tomorrow.”

“He was. His journey has been delayed a few days.”

“Why?”

She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t know.”

“He didn’t say anything? Did something happen?”

She frowned at the intensity of his questioning. “You’ll have to ask him.”

“If it’s anything important, I will find out soon.” He tried to dismiss it as if it didn’t matter, but she sensed it did. He was edgy again.

“Is there something wrong?”

He lifted his goblet, taking a long drink of wine. “Why do you ask?”

She shrugged. She couldn’t put her finger on it herself. “You seem preoccupied. As if something is bothering you.”

“Tired, that is all. And regretting that I cannot delay my return to the castle any longer.”

Mary held his gaze, wishing she could believe him. “Must you go already?”

He nodded. “I will return as soon as I am able. What do you have planned—other than cleaning?”

How did he …

Suddenly, she blushed, glancing down at her skirts. She’d forgotten all the dust. Her hands went to her hair. “I must look a fright.”

“You look beautiful.”

The look in his eyes made her blush deepen for a different reason. “I was cleaning out one of the rooms in the garret for the baby.” She knew she was smiling like an excited child, but she couldn’t help it. “It’s going to be perfect. There’s a nice window where I can put a chair, and a small antechamber for the nursemaid to sleep. I wish that I’d had time to make something myself, but Sir Adam said he has some tapestries I can use for the walls. I can’t wait for you to see it.”

A shadow crossed his face. “Mary, you know this is only temporary.”

The gentle reminder made her flush with embarrassment. “I know. It’s just hard not to get carried away a little when I’m so happy.” She thought he would be, too. But he didn’t look happy. He looked a little pained. “I thought you would understand.”