As Sloan invites Calem into the castle, we follow them. Forba and Anabel are already getting ready to host the guest. They are excited and eager to please the new warrior and to make him feel at home.
'Laird, the bedroom is already ready for the guest,' Forba says to Sloan, 'and the dining-room is ready, in case he is hungry.'
'Thank you, Forba, good for you,' Sloan says, smiling. 'You are welcome in my castle, Calem, and you can stay here as long as you wish. Everything is ready for you, always, and you know it.'
As they start getting comfortable, I and Megan excuse ourselves and walk towards my bedroom.
'Elsie! Tell me, what is happening?' Megan's voice is full of thrill and excitement, as she has probably understood from my face that I am also excited.
'I was picking flowers when he approached me on his horse and asked for directions to Domnhall castle,' I say, smiling, as we walk down the semi-dark corridors. 'I thought that he did not know where it was, so I told him that it was nearby. I also told him that I lived here, and he suggested that we go there together,' I add.
'I see,' Megan replies. 'I am sure that he wanted to get closer to you, and that is why he lied to you that he did not know the way. It is obvious that he knows the way too well, as he and Sloan are friends.'
'I know,' I nod. 'And I kind of like him, so I am not really angry with him for lying to me.'
Megan chuckles. 'He is handsome. I wonder who he is.'
'The fact that he is a good friend of Sloan is already a good thing,' I say, looking at Megan meaningfully.
'Of course,' she nods. 'When I have some alone time with Sloan, I will ask him about his friend. I am so eager to find out everything about him.'
'Yes, me too,' I chuckle. We reach my bedroom and get inside.
'Did you see his beautiful blue eyes?' I ask Megan, and she nods, giggling.
Chapter 2
Calem
My bedroom is quite comfortable. The breakfast was tasty, and I had a talk with my old friend, Sloan. I managed to learn a couple of things about Elsie; that she is a nice woman, always helpful to everyone, positive and full of energy. He did not seem to realize that I was interested in her. I take a rest, reclining on the soft pillows on my bed, while my thoughts are racing towards the angel-looking woman, called Elsie.
She has an angel-looking appearance, but despite it, she has a warrior's spirit. It was clearly visible from the very first moment when she stood in front of me, looking calm and even a bit amazed. Not a single drop of fear. Just the type of girls that I love.
I have a couple of days to stay in this castle. I hope that I will have some time to spend with Elsie and to get to know her. I can't stay in my room for a long time – I need to go out and find her. I have so little time to spend in this castle - it would be good if I did not waste my time alone in my bedroom.
With those thoughts, I get up and leave my room, wondering where I will be able to find Elsie, the oman with angelic face.
The hallways are empty and dimly lit. Calmness is everywhere in this castle. Elsie is probably happy to live here. As Sloan told me a bit about her, I understood that Elsie thinks she is living here only temporary, even though Sloan and Megan have told her that she can stay as long as she wishes. I can understand her – this is not her home, and living in her sister's home is not what the woman want. I am sure that she wants to have her home, the place where she can imagine herself living until old age, until death.
Forba turns around the corner and starts walking towards me.
'How can I help you, Calem McDougald?' She asks kindly.
'I am just walking around the castle,' I say, and then add, 'I would like someone to accompany me while I walk, to show me the beauties of the castle. Maybe I can find the beautiful lady that lives here? Lady Elsie? She can accompany me and show me around.'
Forba smiles widely. 'Of course, she will be glad to show you around the castle. She is very kind. I will help you find her. She was in her bedroom a while ago, but then she left. I think she is in the yard now. By herself.'
The last sentence makes my heart race. I am not the soft type, being a warrior, but something in that woman makes me breathe deeply. I thank Forba and head towards the exit of the castle, eager to see the beautiful girl again.