“Ye really daenae have to.We’ve more than enough people comin’. Besides, do ye nae what to spend the day with Madison?”
Theodore’s lipscurled at the corner as he thought of Madison. A bittersweet feeling pricked at him. As much as he wanted to spend the day with her, he knew she’d be too tired. No doubt she’d stay in bed enjoying the peace and quiet. But Theodore wasn’t able to enjoy that peace. He needed the peace of the openness of the moors and field.
“Aye,I would like that, but I think I need to come with ye and get out of the castle for a bit. The walls feel a bit too close for comfort.”
Boyd stiffened.“I’ll get yer horse ready.”
“I wantto be out within the hour,” Theodore stated with authority. Boyd nodded turned on his heels. Glancing over his shoulder, Theodore stole one more glimpse at the empty hallway that lead to Madison’s chambers.
He wantedto run back down that corridor and launch himself into Madison’s bed. But if he did, he wouldn’t be able to be sedated with just her next to him. No, he would want to claim her. Theodore’s body tingled at the thought of bedding Madison. His breath hitched as his heart quickened. It was then he realized the best choice he could make was getting out of the castle. Then she wouldn’t be able to torment him. Nor would he be tempted to break his resolve.
“My laird?”Boyd called to him over the company of travelers, pulling Theodore out of his thoughts. He’d wondered if perhaps Madison had woken up with a smile on her face. Or if maybe she had thought last night to be nothing but a dream. Either way, he wouldn’t know until he returned and even then there was no telling if he would see her right away. Theodore hoped against hope that maybe she was thinking of him as much as he was thinking of her.
“Laird?”Boyd called again, much to Theodore’s annoyance.
“Aye, what is it?”Theodore grumbled as Boyd maneuvered his horse to ride alongside Theodore’s.
“We’re comin’up on Rheindown. Did ye want to stop there for a bit? Or keep moving on?” Boyd asked as Theodore noticed the ribbons of smoke rising from the chimneys of the cottages that littered the countryside.
“Is there a reason to stop?”
“Gale’s horseslipped a shoe and he’s needin’ to get that mended before we continue on.”
Theodore shiftedto look behind him. Sure enough several of his company were looking a bit worse for wear. He pursed his lips into a tight line. Although Beauly was only about an houraway, Theodore longed to go back to the castle and be with Madison.
“We’ll stop,”Theodore answered after some time of silence. He hated having to postpone the trip. “I noticed there are a few houses back there that could use some mendin’.”
“Laird,I’m sure there are others that can tend to those families. We daenae have the resources or the time to mend every house we see.”
“Aye, but if we are goin’to stop, best make the most of it.”
Theodore maneuveredhis horse around Boyd and started for the small cottage. His hands craved something to do. Even if it were merely adding more thatch to the roof, it would at least fill his sense of duty.
He scannedthe area as he approached the small cottage. A delicate hint of rosemary swirled about the place that settled on his bones. There was something familiar about the place he couldn’t put his finger on.
“Is all well?”Theodore called as he noticed shadows shifting from the corner of his eye. He turned his head about to find a plain looking lass coming out of the garden with her arms full of herbs. Her eyes widened as terror shot across her face.
“PA,”she screamed, dropping the herbs she’d collected. Before Theodore could explain himself, a man stepped out of the cottage, armed with a butcher knife and poised to fight.
“Explain yerself stranger,and be quick before I run ye through with here knife,” the man proclaimed as Theodore’s gaze drifted to the window. Two people spied from the shadows of the cottage, concealed by the curtain. “If ye think for one moment I’m goin’ to let ye come here and take what doesnae belong to ye, ye’ve got another thing comin’.”
“I’ve come in peace.I’m Laird MacLeon and noticed yer roof could use some work. I take it ye have nay sons to help mend it so I thought I’d offer my help,” Theodore explained as the man wielded the knife like a dirk, eager to prick him the moment Theodore crossed a line.
“Laird?Ha. There’s nay laird in these parts in years,” the man exclaimed with detest.
“I never saidI was yer laird,” Theodore said as he noticed the young girl spying at him with the same almond shaped eyes Madison had. His heart stopped. If he didn’t know any better, he would have said the girl was Madison’s kin. The roof of Theodore’s mouth went dry as he stepped back. “Ye have a daughter…”
“Ye’ll nae have her,is that clear?” the man snapped, thrusting the knife in Theodore’s direction. Theodore side stepped the man’s attack and grabbed him by the wrist, disarming the man in one go. “Ye’ll nae take her. I’ll die rather than see her taken.”
“I’venae come to take anyone,” Theodore stated as he slowly released the man. He swallowed hard and stepped back. “But I need them to come out here.”
“Ye two will naestep one toe out of that house,” the man said.
“Tell me then,”Theodore said as he stood taller. “Is yer name Greig?”
The man’seyes shifted as if he’d spotted someone coming up on them. Theodore heard the crunching of the boots and heard the clearing of the throat. He didn’t have to turn around to know Boyd was standing behind him, ready for whatever came next.
“Who’s askin’?”the man snapped.
