Page 10 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander
“What is goin’ on? Who dares to barge into the castle at such an hour?”
Thomas rolled his eyes at the sound of his sister’s voice. He shook his head and made for the stairs as she rushed down toward him.
“Thomas? Who is this? What is goin’ on?” she asked, her eyes lingering on Astrid.
“See that they take one of the available rooms in the west wing,” Thomas instructed as he started up the steps. “This is Astrid and Melody. They’ll be stayin’ wit’ us for a spell.”
Olivia didn’t ask any questions—a quality that Thomas appreciated deeply.
Without missing a beat, she reached her hand out to Melody. “Ye must be hungry. Would ye like to come to the kitchen wit’ me? I’m sure I can find ye something to eat,” she said in a sing-song voice.
Thomas watched Astrid.
After a long pause, she gave a sharp nod. “We’ll be safe here,” she reassured her daughter. “Ye need nae worry.”
“Aye, ye have me word, wee one,” Thomas interjected as his gaze flicked to Olivia, before returning to Astrid. “Go wit’ me sister. She’ll take good care of ye. Astrid, I’d like a word.”
Astrid exhaled and nodded reluctantly, the tension in her shoulders easing ever so slightly.
As she fell into step beside him, he felt a surge of determination. While he didn’t know what had happened to put them in such a situation, he was determined not to let any further harm cometo them. Not when they had finally found sanctuary within the formidable walls of McFair Castle.
Thomas stole glances at Astrid. Her beauty was far more striking in the soft glow of the torches. She stirred something within him.
Reaching his study, he walked inside, Astrid hot on his heels.
“Would ye like something to drink?” he offered.
“Are ye tryin’ to get me tipsy?”
“Nay,” Thomas answered honestly. “Just tryin’ to ease the tension in yer shoulders. I ken ye have nay reason to believe me, but yer daughter is safe here. Olivia will keep her entertained. She’s good wit’ the little ones.”
“I ken how the world works,” Astrid said as he poured her a dram.
“Aye, I’m sure ye do,” he answered as he handed her the glass. “I wasnae questionin’ that. But I want to ken why ye’re here. Who are ye, really, Astrid?”
4
The fire crackled and popped in the grand stone grate. The flames danced with fierce elegance. Rich, dark wood lined the walls of the study, adorned with tapestries that whispered tales of valor and love. The scent of aged leather and mesquite wood mingled in the air, creating a heady atmosphere that both soothed and unnerved Astrid.
Her heart drummed against her ribs as she polished off her drink and handed him the empty glass. The Laird’s eyes widened, indicating that she’d somehow impressed him.
“Would ye care for another dram?” he asked, his voice low and raspy.
Astrid couldn’t help but feel a prickle of suspicion as she looked at the flask in his hand. “Why are ye tryin’ to get me drunk?”
“That wasnae me intention at all. But if that’s how the evening ends, who am I to stop it?” the Laird taunted, before raising his glass in a toast and draining it.
Astrid’s eyes followed the movement his Adam’s apple and then trailed down his neck to his chest. He looked strong and well-built. Perhaps he could protect her.
“Of course, the first thing I’ll need ye to do is disarm yerself. Put yer weapons on the desk, and I promise to give them back to ye before ye leave.”
“Leave the room or the castle?” Astrid challenged as she held her glass out to him. The moment he reached for it, she recoiled and shook her head. “I’ll have the drink.”
The Laird’s crooked grin infuriated her. She wished she knew what was going on in his head. It was as if he held all her secrets in the palm of his hand, yet she didn’t have a clue as to who he was.
“The room. But I want ye bare, understand?”
“And what makes ye think I have such things on me person? Do you think I carry such things at all times?” Astrid asked as he refilled her glass and flashed her a smug grin.
