“But not too busy to frighten the new lady of this castle, though, right?”
Thomas glanced at the stable hand then walked past Alexander and outside. Once they were away from prying ears, Alexander said, “What right do you have to speak to my wife in the way that you did?”
Thomas wore a bored expression when he said, “I told you before, someone had to tell her what she is in for.”
“And what is that?”
“That you use and discard people, brother.”
Alexander raked his hand through his hair. “I will never understand why you put the blame on me for Eileen’s death. She was not married to me. I did not lay a hand on her, Thomas.”
“She was terrified of you. I heard her crying to her father to not leave her with you, aye. But he then married her to the worst man in Scotland.”
Alexander did not want to think of that, of the fate that resulted in the broken betrothal, but he still did not feel the entirety of it should be laid at his doorstep.
“She smiled at me. Did you know that?” Thomas said quietly after a time.
“What do you mean? When?”
“The day after you tossed her out. I was in the village and saw her with her father. She was not wailing then. She seemed shy and quiet, and she smiled at me.”
His gaze drifted to somewhere over Alexander’s shoulder for a moment, before he masked his expression again. “But then she was married off shortly after so as to save her reputation from beingdiscarded by you, and now she is gone, and no one will ever be able to show her that not all men are beasts.”
“Thomas, I am not like her husband. I did what I thought was right and her father agreed. She would have never survived here as the lady of the castle. If you think about that, you know it to be true. I have mourned her. I am sorry that things ended up the way they did for her, but I am not responsible for her death.”
For long moments, Thomas stared at Alexander, seeming to search for what? Sincerity? Eventually he shrugged and shook his head.
“I will always hold you partially accountable, but I will concede I did not need to tell your wife in the way that I did. I will apologize to her when I next see her.”
“Aye, that you will, and if I hear of you stirring any further trouble, you will leave these lands and will not be permitted to return. In truth, Thomas, you should be finding your own path in the world instead of trying to interfere in that of others.”
“Sage words coming from you who have had everything mapped out for him from the start. What am I to do, brother? Tell me, do.”
“Thomas, you have lands you can work. Father has left enough for you to build your own castle. Find a wife and settle down. Stop thinking of the past and look to the future.”
“I—I don’t know how,” he said quietly.
“Well, you can start by attending the feast and really paying attention to those gathered. Tonight, we celebrate my nuptials along with the betrothal of your sister.”
“Jean is to be married?” he asked with raised brows.
“Aye, she and Alain are betrothed. I have blessed the union and tonight we shall celebrate in the best way we know how with many stories and much music and merrymaking.”
“You sound like Father,” Thomas said with a half-smile.
In truth, he sort of felt like the man who, despite their differences, was instrumental in creating an enjoyable feast that they still tried to replicate.
As they walked back to the castle together, Thomas said, “Thank you, Alex.”
The words caught him off guard. Thomas had not spoken a kind word to him in years.
“For what?”
“For being patient with me and for being honest. I have been angry for a long time and now realize that was misplaced. The truth is I do not feel worthy of our name,” he said and looked up, “of this castle. I see you work so hard to make our family and staff and even the villagers happy, and I know I could never do what you do.”
Alexander did not know what to make of his confession. It was true, Thomas’s gifts had not yet revealed themselves, but for him to transform so wholly and completely before him was at least a good start for him to find a clear path forward that did not include causing trouble.
“I have a job for you, if you will take it.”
