Page 19 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander
Trying to keep her wits about her, Astrid tried to spot Melody as the Laird took his seat. She let out a heavy sigh as Melody darted past her with her plate piled high.
“Did ye leave anything for anyone else?” Astrid asked, feeling a hint of embarrassment at the child’s greed.
It was clear Melody was thinking with her eyes and not the size of her stomach.
“There’s plenty for everyone. Nay need to worry about that,” Olivia interjected.
“Still, I think I’ll help Melody wit’ what she put on her plate. I willnae have a wasteful child,” Astrid said with a wink.
As she looked up, she caught sight of Thomas. His gaze lingered on her, making her flush. He didn’t turn away when she caught him looking but continued to stare at her, making her question if he was indeed looking at her at all.
But the way he ran the tip of his finger over his lips sent a rush of excitement through her. He was looking at her, and the strange thing was, she liked it.
7
The Great Hall echoed with the clatter of wooden plates and the chatter of the clansfolk. It was an all too familiar sound. But today, Thomas wasn’t concerned about the latest squabble between farmers. No, his eyes were fixed on Astrid.
He had been up all night, wrestling with thoughts of her. How she had invaded his mind so easily irked him. Was it her plight that had tugged at his heartstrings? Or perhaps it had something to do with how resilient and sharp she was.
Licking his lip, he let his mind wander for a moment as he studied the curve of her neck. How close he had been to it last night. It was so close that he could have claimed her right then and there.
Why had he not done so? If he had, maybe he wouldn’t be wound up. Maybe he would have had a decent night’s sleep.
“I was wonderin’ if I was goin’ to find ye here or the study. I have to say, I’m glad to see ye here for a change.”
“Maither,” Thomas said without so much as a side glance.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed his mother, Alba, sitting in the empty seat next to him. He let out a heavy, irritated sigh as he watched Olivia and Eileen converse with Astrid and Melody. A part of him was pleased to see at least one of his sisters entertaining Astrid. He also wondered which one of them had suggested that she wear green.
With a smile playing on his lips, he tried to think of some sort of reward for their kindness.
The dress hugged Astrid’s hips, accentuating her hourglass shape. How he wanted to let his hands roam freely over her body and explore her. Heat rushed through him, and he swallowed hard, trying to push the thought aside before his body responded.
“Well, hell must have frozen over,” Alba said so loudly that the entire hall must have heard her.
Thomas blinked as his manhood throbbed. He didn’t want to tear his gaze away from Astrid, not when he responded to her in such a manner. Slowly, he turned his attention to his mother and cleared his throat.
“What was that?” he asked as he grabbed his cup, only to find it empty.
“I dinnae think I’ve ever seen ye so distracted before. What on earth has ye so wound up?” Alba asked as she reached for the scones. “Ye’ve barely touched yer breakfast.”
“What was that?”
“See what I mean?” she said, pointing the blunt end of her knife at him. “I kenned ye were distracted. It doesnae have anything to do wit’ the new lass, does it?”
Thomas shook his head.
Yes, Astrid was a lovely woman, with eyes that sparkled like diamonds. But what truly amazed him was the speed at which word traveled.
He pulled in a deep breath and gave his mother his undivided attention.
“I’m nae distracted, merely contemplatin’ me next move,” he countered. “As for the new lass, ye can find her right there and ask her anything ye want. As for why she’s here, she’s the new healer. I brought her in to look after Faither.”
“Another healer? And what happened to the last one?” Alba asked as she arched a judgmental eyebrow.
“He wasnae doin’ what I was payin’ him to do,” Thomas answered as he recalled the last healer nearly killing his father with spearmint.
Would his mother see Astrid differently if she knew it was her who had saved his father’s life?
