“The lass is cloudin’yer judgment. I’ve seen it before,” Aaron said as he weaseled out of Theodore’s grip. Theodore’s eyes narrowed as he watched Aaron recoil from him. “That lass will be yer undoin’, mark me words. Ye continue this path,” Aaron paused, and Theodore watched the man’s fear replace his confidence. Terror swept in, stealing the council member’s bravery. He wagged a judgmental finger at Theodore as he made a beeline for the door.
Theodore’s patiencewas but a whisper. One more snide comment and he would have Aaron experience true terror.
“That lass will costye more than yer pride, she’ll cost ye the clan,” Aaron said at the door.
Theodore's voicecame out cold as winter steel. "Get. Out."
Aaron turned,but Theodore's next words stopped him dead. "And Aaron? If I hear ye've spread one word against me bride—if I hear ye've so much as whispered her name in anything but respect—ye'll find yerself stripped of yer position and escorted beyond our borders." He paused, letting the threat sink in. "Without yer lands. Without yer title. With nothin' but the clothes on yer back. Do we have an understanding?"
Aaron's face went ashen."Aye, me laird."
"Then go.Before I decide exile is too kind."
“Did I miss all the excitement?”Boyd asked as he pulled the door back, causing Aaron to spill out of the study. Boyd filled the doorway as if he were a wall of stone barring anyone from escaping.
“Let me pass,”Aaron grumbled as he pushed against Boyd to no avail. Boyd glanced at Theodore with an expected glare. As much as Theodore wanted to beat the man for what he said about Madison, it would only enrage the other council members.
“Ye’ll rememberwhat we discussed here,” Theodore said to Aaron. Aaron sneered at Boyd for blocking his way.
“Are ye showin’disrespect to the laird? That should give ye a day at least in the stocks. Do ye want me to have him thrown in the cellar for a day? Surely time in the muck will get him to showmore appreciation,” Boyd suggested causing Theodore’s smirk to stretch.
“Let him pass.He has things to do and a message to spread,” Theodore said as Boyd moved just enough to give Aaron room to squeeze by. “And ye take heed of what was said here. I’ll nae hesitate again to have ye thrown out with the rubbish.”
Aaron disappearedas Boyd stepped into the room with a quizzical expression. He shrugged and settled before Theodore as if nothing had transpired and all was well. It was one of the traits Theodore loved about Boyd. Boyd had a knack for letting things go. It was a trait Theodore wished he could harness.
“What are ye grinnin’about?” Theodore asked as he turned for his desk.
“Ye ken wordof this altercation will spread faster than a fire through dry heather. Ye’re goin’ to have people thinkin’ ye throw councilmen in the stocks now.”
“Letthem all think what they want. If it serves me better to have them fear me, then so be it. But nay matter which way they spin it, Madison will be Lady MacLeon.”
“Isthat what the altercation was about? Wasted time,” Boyd said under his breath as if the matter was trivial to him.
“Aye, that it was.”
“But why her?Or are ye doin’ it just to irritate the council?”
Theodore gavea shrug as he settled behind his desk. The leather seat moaned as he shifted trying to find the right spot.
“The charter hasit that I must be betrothed for me birthday or the council chooses for me. That means I have until the end of the week to present her as me bride. Our betrothal will be made official in two-days’ time, at the feast we are holdin’ in her honor. Once that happens, she is free to go her own way.”
“I kent ye had somethin’up yer sleeve and there was a reason ye kept her around,” Boyd said with a pleasantly proud grin stretching across his face that only made Theodore feel like a fool.
The truth was,Theodore did have feelings for the lass. Even if they were merely wishing her to get better, the feeling of keeping her protected and safe was a constant nagging in the center of his being that he couldn’t ignore. His lips ached as a reminder of what he couldn’t have. She would never be his, not even if he managed to steal her heart. She’d eventually go home and her world would come rushing for her. And where would that leave him?
“Do ye hear that?”Boyd asked as his head snapped up. “Is that the dinner bell? I heard the cook has made stuffed hens.”
“Aye,”Theodore answered. “I thought it would be a nice change.”
“Is that right?”Boyd teased as Theodore rose. “Well, I’m sure she’ll enjoy every bite.”
“Have ye seen her today?”Theodore asked as he pushed open the doors of the study.
“Nay,”Boyd answered as they turned the corner. “But I’m sure she’ll smell the food and come down. And if nae the stuffed hens, the pastries are certain to bring her down.”
Theodore noddedas he paused at the door of the great hall. “Ye go on in and enjoy yerself. I’ll be in momentarily.”
11
