“I suppose that would be true,”Madison answered.
“I trustye found yer chambers to yer likin’? If there’s anythin’ ye want to change in the room ye can. I’m certain the laird will allow ye to do it,” Heather said with a huge grin. Madison tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and nodded.
“Aye,it’s the nicest room I’ve stayed in so far. But I have to admit, I’m gettin’ a bit stir crazy in there. Daenae suppose there’s a library or maybe a garden I can tend to while I’m here?”
“Ye’reto be the lady. I daenae think gardenin’ is somethin’ ye’ll have to worry about doin'. That’s peasant work,” Heather said.
“Then what doye suppose I should do with me time?” Madison asked as they turned the corner.
“The laird’smare just foaled, so ye can always go to the stables and see that,” Heather said.
“I’ve nae seen a horse since…”Madison’s voice trailed off. She didn’t want to think about the horrors she had been through. She turned her attention to the stone floor opening into a grand foyer. The scent of roasted hens filled her nose and twisted her stomach with hunger. As the rounded the corner, Madison stopped short. There, standing at the entrance to the great hall was Theodore waiting like a sentinel.
Her breath hitchedas he looked every bit of the laird he claimed to be. His dark hair brushed against the collar of his shirt. But it was his broad shoulders beneath the black wool of his coat that looked formidable.
“Tis good to see ye walkin’better,” he said as Heather cleared her throat before bowing. In the corner of Madison’s eye, she could see the hesitation in Heather. Theodore after all wasn’t waiting there for her, but for Madison and they both knew it.
Her heart skippedas if betraying her. Every nerve in her body tingled. “Edith’s ointment has done wonders.”
“Aye, I can see that.”
She couldn’t breathe.Even as they strolled through the doors of the great hall, it felt as if every eye was on her. She hesitated a moment, uncertain if her strength would give in or sustain her till she could find a chair. Theodore didn’t stop or pause. Hebarely did anything to pick her up and before she knew it, he had her at a table seated without fainting.
“Here,”he said handing her a dram of dram. “It’ll burn goin’ down, but it’ll take the edge off.”
Madison bobbedher head and took the dram from him. She took the contents and tried not to wince. She noticed Theodore stepping in front of her as if shielding the crowd from seeing her contorted face.
“I ken,but is it better now?” Theodore asked as he took the empty seat beside her. Madison bobbed her head as she tried not to let the random gazes bother her.
“I daenae ken.They’re all watchin’ us,” she whispered.
“They’re justcurious about ye is all. They cannae believe I’d pick someone as common as ye,” he answered.
“So, they’re waitin’for me to falter, to make a fool of me self.”
“Well,what do ye expect? Most people in the world have that very intention. Yet, here at least they’re open and honest about it,” he answered as he waved for a servant to fill her glass again. Madison wasn’t sure she wanted another drink. “I wouldnae worry yerself about it. They’re goin' to do what they’re goin' to do and ye cannae please everyone.”
"It doesnaebother ye that I daenae come from a laird?" The words slipped out before Madison could stop them. "That I'm just... common folk. A merchant's daughter with nay land, nay title, nay?—"
She stopped,shame burning through her.
What are ye doing? Speakin’as if yer family are somehow less, as if yer father's honest work and yer mother's kindness means nothin’ simply because they have no title before their name.
"I dinnae mean..."She swallowed hard. "Me family is good. They're decent, hardworkin’ people. I shouldnae have?—"
He leaned closer,stealing her breath. Heat flooded her skin as his breath warmed her neck.
"Daenae worryyerself over those who cannae touch ye," Theodore said, his voice low. "And as for yer family—decent and hardworking means more to me than any title ever could." He pulled back just enough to meet her eyes. "Right now, all that matters is ye and me."
Madison watchedTheodore’s mouth move as he spoke. It didn’t matter what came out of it, she was enchanted by everything he was saying. It was strange not what he was saying but how he said it. It was as if his words were casting a spell of protection around them, a bubble that nothing could penetrate. Madison’s heart slowed as she drew a ragged breath.
Madison watchedTheodore's mouth move as he spoke, his voice wrapping around her like a shield. For a moment, she could almost forget the eyes boring into her back, the whispered judgments just loud enough to hear.
"What isit ye want to do? Just tell me, and I'll have it done," Theodore said, his fingers brushing her cheek.
The walls pressed in.The whispers grew sharper. Madison's chest constricted.
"Leave."The word came out strangled. "I need to leave. Now."
