"Ye ken that I wasnae as pished as ye're claimin'," Hugh spat, his fingers tightening on the wooden door. "Now, if that's all ye came for, I'll ask ye to get back to yer other duties. We were in the middle of somethin'."
"Ye shouldnae let a woman distract ye fromyerduties," Callum said, still unmoving. "I didnae only come to check on ye. I've also come to inform ye that ye must meet with yer people and hear their demands."
Hugh's eyes narrowed. This was likely another one of the ploys that his council had put in place. They were trying to undermine him and sow public doubt. He was sure that any questions raised would be meant to paint him as unable to lead.
"I will meet with them," he said, picking each word carefully. "And I'm nae shirkin' me duties to spend time with me wife. Part of me duties are keepin' her happy and supportin' her as she eases into performin' her own tasks. And, how else do ye expect me to produce an heir if I'm nae spendin' time with her?"
Callum's face twisted, looking as if he'd just taken a bite out of a particularly sour citrus. "There's nay place for sentiment when ye're the Laird."
"Perhaps ye think there should be nay place for it," Hugh said, already moving to slam the door in the man's face, "but I love me wife. And I can manage lovin' this woman and performin' me duties. Yer information is appreciated."
Before he disappeared from view, Hugh caught the look of disgust on Callum's face. It was as if the man couldn't fathom caring about another person. Or, Hugh thought darkly as he stalked back to Anna, perhaps Callum saw love as a weakness rather than the all-consuming fire that drove Hugh to better protect the castle and his people.
"The bastard's timin' is impeccable," Hugh grunted, sitting on the edge of the mattress. "Always seems to ken when things are about to get interestin'. If I didnae ken any better, I'd believe he had eyes in the walls."
When Anna didn't respond, he shifted his gaze to her. She was staring, pink-cheeked, her lips parted slightly. Her hands gripped the sheet she was holding over her body.
"You…" she began, trailing off as she lowered her head to look at the pattern of the blanket. "Did you mean it? What you said about me?"
"Of course I did," Hugh said fiercely, reaching forward to grab her delicate chin. "I didnae say a single thing I didnae mean, Anna. Do ye understand?"
"I do," she whispered, her lashes fluttering as he leaned in.
The kiss he gave her was short, but claiming. It was a promise that his love for her was true and that he'd do whatever he could to protect her. When they parted, he loosened his hold but didn't let go.
"Now, I'm goin' to get meself ready for the meetin'. Ye should get yerself ready and have some breakfast in the great hall, aye?"
"Yes," she confirmed, leaning toward him as he finally released her. "I'll do that."
"Good," Hugh said, standing and giving her one final look. "I'll take care of ye, Anna. Nay matter what. And we'll finish what we started."
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Callum marched through the castle, refusing to be ruffled by the events of the morning. Ever since the Laird had returned, the transition back into his regular role had been difficult. No longer did the staff or the swordsmen defer to his judgment.
His lip curled as he remembered the way his last set of instructions for the militia was met with a firm, "Ye're nae in charge right now."
It seemed as though there wasn't a single soul in the castle that wanted what was best for the clan. The Laird seemed more concerned with his own personal motivations than the politics of the land. His family was just as bad, easily accepting Hugh's decisions instead of challenging him on where his loyalties lie.
Now, I must leverage the council. If nay one else is willin' to put a stop to this and give me the reins, then I must turn to them.
As he picked his way through the corridor, he spotted Aaron. The man seemed to be the only one who was willing to stand up to Hugh aside from him. Traditions were meant to be respected, and the council would do well to remember it.
"Aaron," he called, walking toward the man. "I need to speak with ye."
"What is it?" Aaron asked, indicating that the two of them needed to continue walking. "Ye've been busy this morning."
"Ach, I'm busy every day," he said, rolling his shoulders back to make himself taller. "Someone needs to watch over the well-bein' of the castle, daenae ye think?"
"Aye," Aaron confirmed as he led them toward the meeting room. "We're all doin' our best with the circumstances that we've been given. Ye ken we're all bein' pulled in different directions, though."
"I've already given ye me suggestion," he said, opening the door to allow Aaron to walk inside first. "We're just waitin' for the council's vote."
"We may run into a problem," Aaron said.
"And what's that?" he demanded.
He was growing tired of encountering problems. First, Hugh returned, then he began parading his wife around. It would be apain to sway the villagers, but it would have to be done if they were going to revoke his Lairdship.
