He strode through the bailey, his frustration mounting.A group of guards were gathered near the armory, and they straightened when they saw him approaching.
"Have any of ye seen my wife?"Boyd demanded.
The guards exchanged glances."Not recently.But I'm sure wherever she is, she is safe."
"The blacksmith Tobias has been making her weapons," another guard added."Special designs.He's been working on them for days.Very excited about it, which is saying something for Tobias."
Boyd felt something dark and possessive flare in his chest."Tobias is crafting weapons for my wife?"
"Aye.Impressive work, from what I've heard.He seemed pleased."
Boyd's left eye twitched with that knowledge.Tobias was a Master guildsman who also happened to be a young, virile and handsome man.No matter how many women threw themselves at Tobias, he remained grumpy, curt and unattainable.The words "pleased" and "excited" were not ones he would associate with Tobias.Unless for some reason the man was smitten with Bella.That thought alone had Boyd's blood boiling.If Tobias thought he could steal Bella's affection through metal and steel, Boyd was going to put a stop to that immediately.
"Is my wife at the smithy?"he asked no one in general.
"No, laird, the forge is closed for the day.Tobias took the day off."
"Did he now?"
Boyd's frustration reached its breaking point.
He stopped his striding in the middle of the courtyard, servants and guards milling about, and his patience finally snapped.
"WHERE THE BLOODY HELL IS MY WIFE?"His voice boomed, making everyone freeze in place.
The courtyard went silent.Every head turned to stare at him.
For a long moment, no one spoke.Then a timid serving woman stepped forward.
"She's down by the bothy, laird," the woman replied quietly.
"What bothy?"Boyd demanded.
"The one by the loch."
"There is no bothy by the loch," Boyd replied, though his confidence was wavering.Clearly there were a lot of things happening on his land that he did not know about.
"Aye, there is, laird," the woman insisted, though her voice trembled."That old abandoned crofter's cottage.The mistress has been using it.That's where she is of an afternoon."
"Doing what?"Boyd's voice was tight.
"Training the clanswomen."The woman's eyes darted to the other servants as if seeking support."Teaching them fighting skills and the like.Some of the women wanted to learn."
Boyd grunted his thanks then stormed away.
Behind him, he heard whispers and murmurs.
"Do ye think we should warn the mistress?"
"The laird looks ready to murder someone."
Boyd heard every word, and it only fueled his frustration.
His wife, his gentle, soft-spoken wife who'd spent years in an abbey, was teaching clanswomen how to fight.Had commissioned weapons from his blacksmith.Had built an entire life in his absence that everyone knew about except him and commanded enough loyalty that his own clan were attempting to warn her of his displeasure.
Boyd burst through the Keep's rear gate and took the path toward the loch, his emotions in turmoil.
Confusion.Curiosity.And beneath it all, something that felt dangerously close to pride mixed with possessive fury.Because his wife had become something more than the girl he'd known.She had become strong and capable and independent.
