Theodore’s heart ached.How could he dare tell her that last night was monumental to him? She’d practically given herself to him so freely and even now, he wondered if he dared push how far she’d go for him. But he wouldn’t do such a thing. Manipulation was his mother’s sport, not his and he wouldn’t dare say or do anything that would compromise her free will.
“I’mpleased to see the sand isnae botherin’ yer leg. It’s nice to see that I’m returnin’ ye in better shape than what I found ye in,” Theodore said, changing the conversation. Any more talk of what they did would only make him want her again. And the thought of having to give her up pained him more than any wound from battle could.
“I wouldnae say that,”she mumbled as a piercing whistle cut through the lull of the waves on the beach. Theodore didn’t want their time to be up, but it was Boyd’s call for them to return. The carriage was mended and she’d be going home.
Theodore moved asif his heels were stuck in the mud. He reached the carriage and pulled open the door for Madison. She moved like a phantom crossing his path, silent and mournful. There were no words that needed to be said to know what shewas feeling. It mirrored the same void that was forming within his heart.
Rain beganto fall in large drops until it was nothing but sheets coming down. Theodore closed the door, sealing Madison within the safety and dryness of the carriage.
“Ye daenae wantto ride with her?” Boyd asked, confusion riddling his face.
Theodore couldn’t trusthis tone. He knew if any word were to escape everyone would hear just how broken he truly was. Shaking his head, he made his way to his horse and mounted it.
“Me Laird,please, come into the carriage,” Madison implored over the pounding rain against the roof of the carriage. With a stern, narrow glare he turned his horse to the road and started onward.
“Ye’ll mindthe road this time,” Theodore growled at the driver.
“Aye, me laird,”the driver called to him, but it wasn’t the driver’s voice he wanted to hear. But what else could he do? This was their last moments and if it continued on, he wouldn’t have the strength to let her go. No. He had to be cruel, to be silent and stern. If she hated him, all the better. A clean break was always the best to heal.
The road woundalong the cliffs and the sea as the storm raged on. Through the haze of the storm little lights flickered and danced with glee. At last, they had reached the small cottage.
He movedhis horse to the side of the road and let the carriage pass him by. His heart ached as he stared at the small stone structure. Although it wasn’t the castle, it was sound and sure enough. A strong and safe place that Madison could go back to.
“Me laird? Is all well?”Boyd asked as he rode to Theodore.
“Seethe lass home safely inside and give them this,” Theodore said as he plucked the bag of coin from his belt. “Reassure them that if they need anythin’ they can come to us for help despite bein’ so far.”
“And what of the lass?Do ye have any words for her?” Boyd inquired. His question hung over Theodore like a blade ready to take his head. What was he supposed to tell Boyd? It wasn’t like he could pour out his heart, or that he wanted to do such a thing.
“Nay,”Theodore answered as he reached into his sporran and plucked a small silver chain he’d bought for her. “Just give this to her.”
Boyd studiedthe small chain a moment before drawing his eyes back to Theodore. The words Boyd wanted to say lingered in the silence between them. Theodore glanced at the carriage as it pulled up to the gate of the cottage.
“Go,see she is taken care of,” Theodore said and turned his horse about. He didn’t dare stick around for the warm welcome home. It would only drive him mad later. No, it was best he let her go.
The shrillof a mother’s joyful cry resounded over any sound the storm could make. He could easily picture Madison running into her mother’s open arms as the year of torture and torment faded into obscurity and him along with it.
Theodore shookhis head as the rain pelted him relentlessly. He couldn’t watch the scene despite the urge to stop and fester in the pain. What was it like to have such a love, he didn’t know. Madison had been the bright spark in his dark world, and now she was gone.
At least she’sreturned whole and alive. That was all that mattered.
23
Madison peered over Boyd’s broad shoulder, half expecting Theodore to come walking through the doors. But with each passing moment, it became ever clearer he wasn’t coming. Her heart sank as she saw nothing but the void. Still, even now she could feel him. His absence pressed against her chest like a stack of stones had been placed on her. There was no doubt about it, he was gone, and yet the very air seemed to carry his shadow and essence.
“Come in,get by the fire. Ye must nae be goin’ so soon in this weather,” Madison’s mother exclaimed as she pushed Boyd to the hearth. Madison flashed her family a smile, but it didn’t seem to touch her cheeks. She was supposed to be happy. After everything that she had gone through, the year of horrors and tortures was behind her now. Still, out of that hell, she found her redeemer. Theodore was more than just some man that plucked her from that dreadful fate. He’d become so much more.
“Sit,we’ll get ye a bowl of stew,” the father continued as he waved for Hallie to come down. Madison’s eyes widened at the sight of her younger sister. It looked as if time hadn’t been so kind to any of them. Madison’s mother had far more gray hairs than she should have. As her father’s beard was fuller and peppered with gray that showed his worries and his age. Then there was Hallie. She was taller and skinner than what Madison remembered. But still they all shared the same bright and joyful expressions at having her back.
“I daenae think that is necessary,”Boyd stated as he stared at Madison. It was clear by his expression there was something he wanted to tell her, more he had to say. She pulled in a long deep breath as hope sprang in her chest like a weed.
“Tell me, where is the laird?”Madison managed to get out. She didn’t like the words that came from her lips, but they had to be said. It was the only way she’d get Boyd to talk.
“He’s returnedto the castle, and wished for me to give yer family this,” Boyd said as he removed a large pouch from his belt. “Laird MacLeon wanted me to wish ye all the best and see that if ye needed anythin’ ye come to him and he’ll address the matter.”
“That is morethan what we could have asked for,” the father exclaimed as he poured out the coins on the table. Madison had never seen so much money in one place before. Her mother squealed with delight as she watched her family embrace each other at the windfall.
“And he wishedfor ye to have this,” Boyd stated, as he handed Madison the silver chain. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.
