Page 13 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander
“This isnae a problem that should burden ye,” Astrid said as she handed him her empty glass. He looked at it for a moment as if to ask if she’d like another dram. When she didn’t move, he took it from her.
“I may nae ken ye, but I ken enough to understand that ye’re a brave lass. Ye have faced unimaginable threats that ye shouldnae have had to face. And here ye are, standin’ as if nothing in the world can knock ye down. I like that. But I also ken that one of these days, something is bound to come around that’ll knock ye on yer arse.”
“All the more reason nae to put such a burden on yer shoulders. Allow us to stay the night, and we’ll leave in the morn.”
“But there is still the matter of yer punishment,” the Laird said, tapping a finger on his chin. “Ye see, I cannae let ye roam about freely. Ye’re here for a purpose. Ye shall tend to me faither and see that he is as comfortable as possible. Or have ye forgotten?”
“I havenae forgotten,” Astrid said. “But I may have hoped that ye would.”
“Ye’ll find that I’m nae a fool like some of the other people ye may have encountered. I ken what Chalium’s threats entail. I ken that ye’re between a rock and a hard place and ye’re runnin’ out of options.”
5
The candlelight flickered and danced across the stone walls of the study. Thomas clenched his fist at his side. The minx that stood before him was both intriguing and infuriating. Yet, as she stood there, challenging him, he could see the weight of his words pressing down on her.
“Be honest. If nae wit’ me, then at least wit’ yerself,” Thomas said as he watched the fire in her eyes burn ever brighter. “Ye need help, aye?”
“Nae from ye or anyone else. Ye think I dinnae ken how the world works?”
“From the size of yer dagger, I believe ye do. Which is why ye ken very well the dangers that lurk outside the walls of McFair Castle and what ye need to get on. But how long can ye keep up the charade?”
“I dinnae ken what ye’re talkin’ about,” Astrid said as he drove her blade into his desk. Her eyes widened with shock, but she didn’t flinch or recoil.
“Suit yerself. But if I were ye, I’d reconsider me offer. Protection. If ye stay wit’ me, nay one will dare harm ye.”
“And what’s the price for yerprotection?” Astrid asked, her voice icy.
The way she hissed the word ‘protection’ grated on Thomas’s nerves. Was he not a protector? Did he not live up to the title he’d inherited from his father? It was almost as if the lass were challenging his very position as Laird.
His eyes narrowed on her as he leaned in. “Ye’ll tend to me faither as I told ye to do at the start.”
She eyed him with suspicion. Her audacity to doubt him drove him mad. It was as if she were challenging the very strength of his clan.
“And that’s all? Ye’ll protect us if I stay and tend to yer ailin’ faither?”
“Aye,” Thomas answered. “I’ll nae touch ye.”
“I’ve heard such things before.”
“Laird Chalium?” His chest tightened as he waited for the response he knew she’d give him. Her pursed lips and pinched eyes spoke volumes.
“Defender of the innocent. That is yer duty as Laird McFair. To be just and let nay man or woman steer ye away from that path…”
His father’s words echoed in the depths of his being. There was no way he could allow Astrid and Melody to leave, not when they were in danger.
“Ye have me word,” he affirmed, the conviction in his voice ringing like a gong. “Stay and look after me faither, and I swear ye’ll have me sword and clan to thwart whatever vile plans Chalium has for ye.”
“Nay laird would make such an oath when he kens that his faither is dyin’. What’s the catch?”
“There is none,” Thomas answered.
He wondered if he would ever be able to win her respect, at least. The fact that she doubted him was almost as bad as if she’d run a javelin through his chest. She wounded his pride.
“And if I refuse?”
“And why would ye? Unless ye’re a glutton for punishment,” Thomas countered. “There are nay strings attached. A service fora service. Consider it barterin’—although wit’ yer background, ye may nae understand the concept of barter.”
Thomas ushered the tricky minx out of his study and closed the door behind her. He hung his head, his shoulders slumping. Interacting with her was far more tedious than he had expected. How a single person could get under his skin so easily… it drove him nuts.
