Page 53 of A Bride for the Kilted Beast

“Well, that’s a relief at least,” Andrew said. “Lennox can have nae use fer her now.”

“But he’ll likely still want his revenge on us all fer the humiliation the Laird’s caused him,” someone else pointed out.

“Aye, ’tis nae the end of the affair, fer certain,” Andrew agreed, shaking his head mournfully.

“As Ciarán has said, we’re ready fer any attack, and he’s increased the patrols within the castle. We’re still lookin’ intae how Lennox’s men got intae the stables tae ambush me,” Diarmaid told them.

Their discussion went round and round, getting no further. By the end of the meeting, Diarmaid was thoroughly irritated by the council and resentful of their continued interference in his marriage, as well as their carping about his provocation of Odhrán.

Diarmaid was not in the best of moods when he left the council chamber. He was on his way to his study to try to catch up on some paperwork, when he spotted Lillie coming towards him. Behind her trailed the five guards who now made up her escort.

Her frown, pursed lips, and the stiff way she held herself as she marched towards him told Diarmaid she was angry with him. In fact, she looked as if she was about to scream at him.

Now what have I done wrong?

As soon as they met in the hallway, with the guards stopping a discreet distance away, she opened her mouth to say something. But Diarmaid held up his palm to stop her. She pursed her lips again, and he quickly said, “Before ye say anythin’, let’s go intae me study, shall we? I dinnae want the guards seeing us arguing.”

She nodded curtly, and he led the way to his study, opening the door for her to enter first before following her in.

He had not even fully turned to look at his wife before she began railing at him.

“Why is that I suddenly have five guards following me everywhere?” she asked, her voice rising in volume as she went along.

Diarmaid opened his mouth to formulate a reply, but Lillie was so worked up that she ignored it, not giving him the chance to say anything before she started up again.

“Three was bad enough, but five? I tell ye, I cannae stand it any longer!” She was so riled she actually found herself stamping her foot.

“Will ye keep yer voice down?” he asked, glancing worriedly at the door. “D’ye want the whole castle tae hear us?”

“I dinnae care one way or the other,” she shouted. “Dinnae try tae change the subject. Ye havenae answered me question.”

“I’ll nae remove a single guard,” he told her with vehemence. “After what happened tae me last week, I’m nae takin’ any chances with yer safety. It would be downright dangerous. I dinnae care what ye say, the guards are stayin’ until I say nae.”

“But five guards, Diarmaid! Five! Will ye nae make it just one? Even two would be more bearable. ’Tis nae necessary at all, and ’tis enough tae drive me mad.” She paused to catch her breath, determined to get him to see her point of view. “Ye’re makin’ me feel like I’m a prisoner, but I’m supposed to be the lady of the castle, am I nae?!”

“I’ll tell ye again, Lillie, I’ll nae remove a single guard. ’Tis too dangerous, woman!” he shouted, finally losing control of his temper.

They stood staring at each other, both breathing heavily, fists clenched. Lillie felt like hitting him, but she knew it would have no effect. To change his mind she would have to do something more extreme than simply shout at him.

“So, that’s all ye have tae say, is it?” she asked, glaring at him.

“Aye,” he replied in a tone that brooked no argument, setting his jaw determinedly.

“Very well, if that’s yer final word, I’ll take me leave.”

Without another word, she spun on her heels and slammed out of the room. In the hallway, the five guards were waiting for her. It was obvious from the sheepish looks on their faces that they had heard the shouting.

Huffing, she headed for the great hall, with the escort clanking along behind her. Angry and frustrated and needing some fresh air, she went out into the courtyard and stood for a few moments collecting herself. As she looked about her, she happened to notice some geese flying over, probably on their way to the loch that lay beyond the stables. The loch! As soon as she thought of it, an excellent plan unfolded in her mind.

“I think I’ll take a walk down to the loch,” she told the guards over her shoulder before setting off in that direction, certain she had found the way to persuade Diarmaid to change his mind.

Diarmaid was sitting at his desk, trying to apply his mind to the pile of correspondence awaiting his attention. However, since the argument with Lillie and her storming out, it seemed as if Finian’s painkilling medicine was starting wear off. A headache was setting in, and the bruising from all the blows he had received during the attack was still making every bone ache.

He had just given a heavy sigh, trying once more to double down on his duties, when the study door suddenly flew open. He was amazed to see Andrew Latham rush in, waving his arms in a panic and short of breath.

“Did ye forget how tae knock, Andrew?” Diarmaid said irritably before it suddenly occurred to him it could be an attack. But if that was so, then where was the alarm? No. It had to be something else. “What is it?”

“M’laird, m’laird!” Andrew cried out, sounding more excited than Diarmaid had ever heard him.