“Where would ye like to go?” Jude asked as Cleopatra scooped his arm into hers. A smile played at the corner of her lips.
“The courtyard to start. I’ve missed the sun on my face and the feel of mud underfoot.”
“And ye romp around fields barefoot, do ye?” Jude asked as his eyebrow rose.
“From time to time.”
“What else do ye like to do?” he asked as they walked slowly down the hallway headed to the stairs.
“Read, of course. And there is always the occasional bit of sewing, if I get an inkling to do so.”
“I never took ye for a seamstress,” Jude said as they descended down the stairs.
“Well, it’s not as if you know me.”
“I’d like to,” he said without hesitation sending Cleopatra’s heart into a frenzy. She couldn’t contain the smile that stretched across her lips as she glanced down a moment before returning to his eyes. “Tell me somethin’ else about yerself.”
“Well,” Cleopatra said. “I’ve read all the books in my room already.”
Jude’s eyes widened as they paused at the bottom of the staircase. “There has to be at least twenty books in there.”
“It helps when you have nothing else to do,” she said.
“Suppose it does,” he said nodding.
“Tell me something about yourself,” Cleopatra said squeezing his arm tighter as she refused to acknowledge the pain in her leg.
“Nae much to say. I’ve lived here me whole life. Got married young as expected and had Hugh. She passed on some time ago and I’ve been carin’ for the boy alone ever since.”
“You’ve done well,” Cleopatra said. “He admires you a great deal. Often when he comes for his lessons, he speaks of you.”
“Odd, Hugh told me the same about ye.”
She smiled as he led her through the main room and through the grand entrance of the castle. Cleopatra’s eyes widened as she looked around, noticing all the different tapestries and vases, even the carved tables were exquisitely crafted with flowery embellishments on the legs.
It soon dawned on her that Jude was more well-endowed in his estate and finances than her father had ever been. Yet what really caught her eye was the windows that let the natural light to beam in. Her home had always been dark and gloomy with very few candlesticks. Yet everything here was so open and inviting. Even the servants that worked for the Laird were pleasant and seemed much happier with their lot in life.
The great doors opened, exposing the outside courtyard where Cleopatra noticed the different merchants perched outside selling their goods from various carts that had traveled to the castle. She quickly tugged on Jude’s arm, causing him to stop.
“Are ye all right?” he asked. Cleopatra smiled and nodded as she nudged her head towards the open door.
“Very well,” she said feeling the cool midday breeze flow through the open doors. “My father never allowed the merchants inside his walls. Yet you do.”
“Where else are they to sale their wares?” Jude asked scrunching his eyebrows to the bridge of his nose.
Cleopatra’s heart fluttered as she
“Shall we?” he asked glancing to the open doors. Cleopatra nodded as the smile stretched across her face. A cool breeze swirled about her face as they stepped over the threshold. The sunlight struck her and warmed her skin and she couldn’t help but let out a small moan of pleasure as she closed her eyes to savor the warmth of the sun.
“Ye must forgive me,” Jude said, “I dinnae realize how much the outdoors means to ye.”
“How could you have known? Besides, a man of your caliber has more things to do then dote on some silly girl.” Cleopatra slipped her hand out of Jude’s arm and began walking down the aisle of the merchants that had set up their wares for the Laird and his staff to view that day. Her eyes widened as she looked at the different trinkets and jewelry that lined the merchants’ carts.
“How lovely,” she said as she pulled a long green scarf off the second cart. The fabric was smooth as she ran it through her fingers and bright green; it reminded her of Jude’s eyes.
“Do ye like it?” Jude asked as Cleopatra spread the fabric out to let it catch the light from the sun. It shimmered in her hands like stars on a placid lake. She nodded as she hesitated to fold it and place it back on the cart. She wished that she could afford such fine things, but her father never gave her such trinkets.
In the corner of her eye. Cleopatra noticed Jude pulling out coin from his pocket and handed it to the merchant.
“It’s yers then,” he said, picking the scarf up and handing it to her.
“I couldn’t possibly,” she answered. “I have no way of repaying you.”
“I insist,” Jude said, “after all, ye’re showin’ Hugh how to read and he is quite fond of ye.”
She ran her fingertips over the folded fabric as her heart pounded in her chest. She drew her eyes to Jude and realized that it was more than just a thank you gift for teaching his son to read. It was clear to her that he was fond of her as much as she was fond of him.
Jude slowly pulled the fabric from her hands and draped it around her small frame. Cleopatra stepped closer to him as the space between them grew smaller. He was but a breath away as they gazed into each other’s eyes and he stared into the depths of her being, she wished that he would proclaim himself and his intentions right then and there. Then doubt pricked her as she turned to watch the light shimmer off the fabric.
He’s just toying with me. Surely this is a ruse of some sort.
Cleopatra stepped back and caught her breath as she dropped her eyes from him. She had hoped that she had some distraction from his gaze, but there
