Highland Sanctuary (6 page)

They walked in silence through the forest. As she left the woods, Serena took a deep breath smelling the salty sea. She climbed down the twelve-foot drop to where Braigh Castle was situated. Her head only hurt once and the pain soon went away.

Seagulls flew about and squeaked above her. Waves pounded the rocky cliffs below. White clouds drifted over the bright sun until it burst through again.

Phelan followed her to the castle gate. She turned and patted him on the head. "Thank ye for keeping me company and watching over me. Go back to yer master."

The black iron gate rolled up. The turning wheel squealed as the ropes wound around the pulleys. Serena stepped into the courtyard and waved at Philip, the gatekeeper. "Good morning!" The gate crashed to the ground behind her and rattled.

He secured the thick rope and hobbled over. A huge grin brightened his weather-worn face, bearing yellow-stained teeth. A full gray beard peaked to his chest. "Serena, I'm glad to see ye, lass." His warm brown eyes sparkled. "The laird was askin' 'bout ye a short while ago."

"Oh dear. Is he angry? I didn't intend to oversleep." She swallowed the rising concern. "I'd better get inside, posthaste."

"He didn't appear to be."

"I'd better hurry just the same." Serena waved a hand in the air.

She lifted the hem of her dress and ran to the side entrance. A quick search of the library, drawing room, and art room showed no recent trace of the laird. She paused, her hands on her hips, trying to imagine where he might be. Mayhap she would encounter him later.

Serena decided to begin her chores in the kitchen. She would check the inventory and determine if a trip to the market was needed.

As she walked down the servant staircase, she hummed a melody her mother used to sing to her. The winding steps narrowed toward the bottom, preventing her from viewing around the curve. She slid her hand along the stone wall, wishing for a rail.

At a long arched window, she couldn't help glancing out to view the glorious sea. Continuing on to the next step, Serena

gasped as she landed on a moving object. She lost her balance and would have tumbled forward if sturdy hands hadn't grabbed her shoulders and held her upright.

"Steady, lass. 'Tis only me."

She glanced up to see Gavin grinning down at her. She realized her palms pressed against his chest where his fastbeating heart now pumped under her fingertips. Serena breathed in the scent of pine and heather as she struggled to gain her wits.

Heat flamed her neck and face until even the top of her head tingled with shame. Serena didn't want to look up and see his reaction to her blundering mishap, but how could she avoid it?

"Ye always seem to be rescuing me." She attempted a halfhearted laugh as she leaned back. Brilliant blue eyes stared at her. He tilted his head, attempting to see her better. An expression of concern lingered in his eyes.

Not wishing to be studied, Serena tried to wrench free of his hold, but he held her tight. He swayed on his heels and reached for the stone wall with one hand, while maintaining a grip on her with the other.

"Uh, lass, I canna move. Ye're standing on my feet."

"Oh!" Serena's hands flew to her mouth in horror. She tried to back up, but the previous step dug into her calf. Careful not to tip him, she stepped to the side, feeling quite awkward. She leaned back against the opposite stone wall. "I'm sorry. Why didn't ye say somethin' sooner? I feel mortified." No sense in trying to hide her humiliation now. Her actions were far beyond justification. To think she had been standing on the poor man's feet! She shoved the heel of her palm against her forehead.

"Mayhap, I liked having ye so close." Gavin shrugged, a mischievous grin curling his lips. "Or maybe I wanted to see how long it took before ye figured it out."

"Ye're incorrigible! What kind of evil mind lurks beneath that red head of yers?" In spite of everything, Serena smiled. After all, he had saved her from falling. "I hope I didn't bruise yer toes?"

"Not at all." He shook his head.

"Not a wee bit?"

"Should ye have stomped them, ye think?" Gavin grinned, revealing a row of white teeth.

She wondered if he used sage powder and minted herbs on his teeth. It was a simple trick her mother had taught her.

"I suppose not. Thank ye for saving me—again," Serena said. "I must get back to my duties." She moved down the steps.

"Ye work here?" He followed close behind.

"Aye." Serena kept her gaze ahead of her to ensure proper footing. No doubt, Gavin thought her unable of much without the need of being rescued. To him, she must be the most blundering lass in all of Scotland.

"What do ye do?"

"I keep the laird's castle running smoothly."

"Have ye been in the position long?" he asked.

"Nay. Only six months. I never worked for the former laird, Iain MacBraigh's late uncle."

"I see." Gavin kept pace with her. "Did ye know the late MacBraigh? How did he die?"

"I'd only seen him a few times. He kept to himself." They reached the bottom steps, which emptied into a dark hallway. "As to how he died, I've heard two conflicting stories. One is that he died peacefully in his sleep. The other is that some one pushed him down the stairs. I've never asked the laird. 'Twould be above my station."

Torch light lit the walls. The floor was made of uneven brick. Serena hated it as she found herself tripping quite often. She hoped she didn't sprawl in front of him. Whenever Gavin was around, it seemed quite possible that she would make a spectacle of herself.

"I meant to ask ye before, but how is yer head? Have the headaches ceased?"

"I'm fine." The innocent question should not have irritated Serena, but it reminded her of her secret fits. "Forgive me, but why were ye on that staircase in the first place? I was led to believe ye'd be working on the north wing, and mostly on the outer defenses."

"We are. My brother will be directing that construction. I'll be handling minor repairs to the rest of the castle. Iain asked me to view the kitchen while he and Leith take notes on the courtyard."

"But I thought ye were the one in charge?"

"Essentially, I am, but this whole endeavor is to give my younger brother experience and skills in a trade. As the eldest, I'll inherit my father's castle and lands, and will likely be the next chief of the MacKenzie Clan. Leith needs to be able to provide for his family."

Gavin MacKenzie was full of all kinds of surprises. She would never be a suitable match for Gavin. She had no dowery, proper education, or a respectable, well-known family with desirable connections.
Oh dear, where had that thought come from?

"Ye're verra quiet." He leaned close. She backed away. "What's wrong? Did I say something offensive?"

"Nay! Of course not. I was just thinking how good of ye to help yer brother like that."

"There ye are!" Iain MacBraigh and Leith hurried toward them. "Philip told me ye'd arrived. I figured I might find ye down here. I didn't know when to expect ye back. I thought ye'd send another messenger." The tone of the laird's voice changed, and Serena braced herself for the chastisement she feared would come.

Gavin knew the moment fear skipped across Serena's face. Her innocent, green eyes widened and her mouth formed into a perfect circle, but no words came forth as she glanced between Iain and Leith and back at Gavin.

"Well, no matter," Iain grinned. "Ye're back now, and I admit, I'm relieved. Mayhap, ye can soon restore order."

Serena's tense expression eased and a deep breath gushed from her full pink lips. A smile surfaced, brightening her face, and warming Gavin's heart. He didn't know why, but this woman did strange things to his insides. She could make his heart beat as if he had fought off a swarm of swordsmen. There was a mystery about her and it made him curious.

"I'm much better. I assure ye." Serena twirled thick black strands of hair lying over her shoulder.

Gavin hadn't noticed the small action before. Was twisting her hair something she only did when nervous, or was there a real attraction toward Iain MacBraigh? Disappointment sliced through his gut, splitting Gavin's mind in conflicting directions.

"Glad to hear it. Yer welfare is under my authority. I've offered all the villagers sanctuary on my land—and that includes ye." Iain winked in a light-hearted tease. "I would do no less for any of the villagers."

The way Iain soothed her sensitive feelings gained Gavin's respect. Serena needed someone to look out for her. Why then, did it bother Gavin that Iain seemed so perfect for the role?

He swallowed. The dryness in his throat a sudden discomfort. Gavin covered his mouth and coughed.

Iain glanced over at him then back at Leith. He nodded, stepped from Serena, and lifted his hand toward the kitchen. "Don't overdo it on yer first day back."

"Aye, my laird." Serena dropped her gaze, dipped her head, and bent into a bow. She glided down the torch-lit hall, leaving an awkward emptiness in her wake.

Gavin cleared his throat, gaining Iain's attention. "The brick floor along this hallway is verra uneven and eroding from cold moisture. We could dig out a more level surface and replace it with new brick."

Iain walked around, testing the floor surface. He nodded. "Aye, it wouldn't make sense to do all the other repairs and leave this area in such a state." He took a deep breath. "Now gentleman, let us go discuss our business." He turned the corner and climbed the stairs Gavin and Serena had descended moments earlier.

Gavin turned to Leith. "It'll be good experience for ye to negotiate the restoration contract. I'll handle the rest regarding the protection of the castle and grounds." Gavin slapped his brother on the back in good-natured support.

"It's about time we get to business," Leith said, moving past him to follow Iain up the stairs.

"Ye're young and impatient," Gavin said.

"Ye sound too much like Da." Leith's voice echoed above him.

Gavin paused where Serena had stood on his feet. No doubt, the memory would bring a fond smile to him for days to come.

Out of curiosity, he leaned over to peer out the window to see what had beguiled Serena. "Mmm. She has an admirable appreciation for God's creation," he whispered. The sun cast shimmering crystals upon the ocean as it danced in calm swells where it met the sky in the distance.

"Gavin, are ye comin'?" Leith called.

"Aye!" Gavin took comfort that the winding staircase afforded him some privacy. The other men hadn't seen him gazing upon the morning sunshine like a romantic fool. He tore himself away from the scene and hurried up the steps, his boots pounding against the hard stone like a hammer.