“So that’s it?I have nay say in the matter.” Madison’s lips quivered as she fought back tears. It was the sting of rejection jabbing her over and over like a hornet paralyzing its prey.
A sharp knockcaused Madison to jolt as if she’d been pinched. Whipping her head about, she watched Boyd enter the room. She pursed her lips into a tight line as he came closer to Theodore. Madison didn’t have to look at him to know Boyd was giving her a sideway glare.
“I ken the way out,”Madison huffed and withdrew her arm from Boyd’s grip.
"See her home safely,"Theodore said. His tone was somber and grave, as if he were sending her off to her doom and he knew it.
"Laird,please. Let me stay, just for a few more days."
"Leave us."Theodore's command cut through the air like a blade. "Now, Boyd."
Boyd hesitated onlya moment before bowing and slipping out the door, closing it quietly behind him.
Theodore remained behind his desk,his hands braced on the wooden surface. He didn't look at her. Couldn't look at her.
"Ye daenae understand,"he said, his voice low and rough. "Tell me what happens after those days have passed? Ye'll ask for more. And before ye ken it, ye'll get word yer father has passed, or it'll be yer mother, and then ye'll blame me for keepin' ye here." His knuckles went white against the dark wood. "Nay. I'll nae have yer regrets on me head. It's why ye must go. Yer life is out there. Nae stuck on this island to rot away with me."
"Theo,please?—"
"Daenae."The word cracked like a whip. He finally looked up, and the raw pain in his eyes stopped her breath. "Daenae make this harder than it has to be."
Madison took a step toward him."What if I want to stay? What if?—"
"Ye think ye do. Now."Theodore straightened, his expression hardening into something cold and distant. "But ye'll change yer mind. They always do. And I'll nae watch ye grow to hate me for keepin' ye from yer family."
"I wouldnae—"
"Boyd!"Theodore's voice rang out. The door opened immediately—Boyd must have been waiting just outside. Theodore's gaze finally released hers, looking past her to his cousin. "Take her back to her family. See that they're compensated for their woes. And Boyd—" His jaw clenched. "Make certain she arrives safely."
"Aye, me laird."
“Theo,nay, I want to be with ye,” Madison pleaded as he handed her back to Boyd as if she were nothing but a doll to him.
“Ye cannae.It willnae be right. Ye must go back. Forget about me, lass. Think of this place as nothing but a nightmare ye can finally waken from.”
Madison struggledagainst Boyd’s strong grip.
“Last nightye told me ye’d do anythin’ for me. Was that just a lie? Is that what ye are now, a liar?” she argued. Theodore lifted his hand causing Boyd and Madison to stop struggling.
“Ask one thing of me,lass and I’ll grant it. But ye cannae ask to stay.”
Madison’s heart ached.This couldn’t be the last time she ever laid eyes on him. The fact that he had found her family was a miracle. But how then could she give up on the man who saved her?
“Ye sayI must go back, then I want it to be ye to take me.”
22
"Ye daenae have to ride out there."
Theodore glancedtoward the carriage window where Madison had poked her head out. The wind tugged at the loose strands of her hair, and even from here, he caught the scent of wildflowers and sage that always seemed to cling to her.
"Ye'll find morethan enough room in here," she continued. "I'm sure with as much ridin' as ye've done today, yer backside could use a reprieve."
"I'm fine,"Theodore said, keeping his gaze fixed ahead on the shoreline.
Fine was a lie.His muscles ached from hours in the saddle, but that pain was preferable to the alternative—being trapped in that small carriage with her. Close enough to touch. Close enough to smell her skin. Close enough to forget every reason he was sending her away.
"Ye said that an hour ago,and ye still look stiff as a board," Madison pointed out.
