Chapter Twenty-One
Though Jean hadbeen thorough in her description of the responsibilities she would relinquish, Marion was sure it would take quite some time for her to come into her own as the castle’s mistress. One thing was for certain—she would be kept quite busy.
Jean had gone to speak with the butcher as a formal announcement would not be made until later that day and by Alexander, but for now, she found herself sitting alone in the library admiring the way the light cast through the long windows.
“I hear you are to be addressed as Lady Campbell from now on,” a male voice said from the doorway.
Alexander’s younger brother, Thomas, leaned against the door frame eating an apple, his eyes narrowing as he looked her up and down.
“Aye, that is correct.” She had to admit, now that she outranked him, she was not certain what to call him.
“You know you are not the first woman who was considered for the position.”
Marion had heard that Alexander had been betrothed before, but that was all she knew about the matter, and it was not something that concerned her so she would just as soon not know at this point.
When she didn’t answer, he said, “As the new mistress, my lady, you should be aware of the kind of man that is your husband, whodiscards women when he is finished with them.”
“I am certain I know my husband well enough.”
“Do you? Do you really know my brother that well?”
In truth she did not, but she knew him as well as she could have in their short acquaintance and certainly enough to suss out the sort of man he was which was honorable and good.
“What is your point, Thomas?” She did not mean to use a short tone with him, but he was clearly there to stir trouble as she’d been told he was oft found doing.
He sauntered into the library wearing a smirk that made her insides uneasy. There was something about him that she disliked but was unable to fully put her finger on.
“I merely want to tell you about the man you have married. The kind who sullies innocent lasses and then tosses them aside.”
“Thomas, I do not know what you are talking about, but I have many things to do so, if you don’t mind,” she said as she stood, hoping he would understand the signal for dismissal.
“Oh, but I do mind, Lady Campbell. I came here to tell you about his lordship’s first betrothal, and I will have my say.”
Thomas stood closer to the door than she, but she still felt as though a thick cloud of dirt had just surrounded her. But she would eat her own tongue before she let him know the effect he was having on her. He took a couple more steps toward her, his eyes glinting with mischievousness.
“Your brother will return at any moment. I suggest you have your say with him and not me, for his past affairs are not my concern.”
“Are they not? When they illustrate the kind of man you have married? When the telling may spare you future strife?”
By these statements, Marion had married a cold-hearted monster and that was a very different picture than the one she had developed in her own mind—quite the opposite, in fact.
“I appreciate your warning, Thomas. It is duly noted, but I mustbeg you leave me to my work.”
“Very well, Lady Campbell. ’Tis your funeral.”
Was that a threat? God’s teeth, now her curiosity was piqued but she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d gotten under her skin.
Marion turned back to the window and gazed out onto the garden which was still mostly in full bloom. It would soon fade as fall approached, but she would find time to enjoy as much time outside as she could before the cold north winds took hold. A little bit of that north wind seemed to try to creep into her heart. Damn Thomas for his troublemaking. She didn’t want to doubt Alexander, not now and not ever.
But if he’d had a broken betrothal in the past, was it his responsibility to tell her or was it fair that he kept it to himself? Perhaps he was upset by it still and that thought did not give her any additional comfort as seeds of jealousy sprouted in her heart. The thought of him with another woman made her belly twist and coil. Oh God, Thomas had succeeded if he had meant to torment her. She despised feeling this way. She pined for the euphoria she’d felt in the past days with Alexander.
Marion closed her eyes and envisioned his face smiling at her. She pictured his arms around her and his deep voice calling her name.
“Marion, are you unwell?” his voice asked.
She opened her eyes, heat flooding her cheeks at being caught in a state of emotional turmoil.
“I—I do believe I am,” she whispered.
