Free A Strange Affair by Rosemary Smith Page B

wear it, which brought to mind the hearing this very day. Megan and I were laughing while I stood in a pale lemon gown with a high neck and long sleeves, the lace of which fell over the back of my hand.
    ‘You look lovely, mistress,’ said Megan walking around me admiring the fullness of the skirts.
    ‘I agree,’ said Kieran’s voice from the doorway. Megan and I had been so distracted by the beautiful gowns that we had not heard the door open.
    ‘I’ll leave you, mistress,’ said Megan as she looked at the master, so saying she gave a brief curtsey to Kieran and scuttled from the room closing the door behind her.
    Kieran stepped farther towards me, surveying me as he did so, ‘I’ve come to ask if you’ll walk with me around the outside of the castle,’ he began, ‘for it is a pleasant enough day for late February.’
    ‘I would like that very much, but I shall need to change my gown,’ I told him.
    ‘No, please stay as you are for you look exquisite.’ And I realised that my hair was escaping its pins, so swiftly I went over to the dressing table and rearranged it as best I could with trembling hands. This was indeed a surprise and a very pleasant one that Kieran should seek me out.
    ‘I’ll need my shawl,’ I told him, searching through the chest of drawers. I found it easy enough as there was very little in there. ‘I am ready.’ I told him and so it was that Kieran and I walked down the main staircase of Rowan Castle together for the first time. I felt proud and elated as Mrs Burnet crossed the hall.
    ‘Good morning, master, good morning, mistress,’ she greeted us as she went about her business and then Kerensa crossed the hall in front of us dressed in a lovely beige-coloured riding outfit.
    ‘And where are you two going together?’ she asked rudely.
    ‘It is hardly your business, young woman,’ said Kieran light-heartedly, ‘but we are going for a walk.’
    ‘You’d be more suited to come riding with me. I intend to ride out to the beach at Abermenai Point with Derrick, I can’t imagine what has happened to you, unless you are in love?’ As she spoke she threw me an indignant glance.
    ‘Play your games somewhere else, Kerensa,’ Kieran said dismissing the fact she was there completely and taking hold of my arm in his.
    ‘How could you dismiss me so easily after all the years I have loved you?’ she wailed. ‘You have no idea how much I care for you, she’ll never love you like I do.’
    ‘I’m sorry you feel this way, but I cannot return that love, we are more like sister and brother, this is what I feel for you, a brotherly devotion.’ As Kieran spoke the words I thought of the night I had seen Kerensa sat on Kieran’s bed. Had I dreamt it I mused, and the whole conversation had spoilt the joy of Kieran seeking me out to walk with me. We left Kerensa weeping in Derrick’s arms and as Kieran and I walked across the front of the castle I felt I had to be honest with him.
    ‘Kieran,’ I began, stopping at the same time and looking directly at his handsome face, ‘I have a confession to make.’ Here I hesitated, was I doing the right thing?
    ‘Confess then pretty lady,’ he said urging me to speak.
    ‘A short while after my arrival here I went to the door of your room to speak with you, the door was ajar and I could see Kerensa standing next to your bed, framed by the moonlight,’ here I paused, ‘which leads me to believe she has a great love for you.’ There, I’d said it, but what would be my husband’s reply? What he did say startled me somewhat.
    ‘I can honestly say, Barbara, that I have never loved Kerensa, but whatever she feels for me I have no control over it. As much as I have told her I cannot love her, she pursues me. I am at a loss to what course of action to take next. Do you believe me, little one?’ Kieran asked earnestly.
    ‘Yes I do,’ I told him honestly just as Derrick and Kerensa rode past us on their mounts, hers a lovely grey and