Page 22 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander
“I think I can manage,” Reid answered, overly confident.
Thomas shook his head and heaved a sigh. “Until ye cannae. And when that day comes, dinnae come runnin’ to me, askin’ for me help. I told ye three times now to steer clear of her. If ye dinnae, what happens will be on yer head.”
“Ye dinnae understand,” Reid protested. “Our moment was magical. She could be the one.”
“I wouldnae get me hopes up. For all we ken, she’ll be gone in a week,” Thomas said.
“Then I’ve got a week to prove meself to her.”
Thomas shook his head as he watched his brother turn and start toward the doors as if he were on a mission from God. All he could do was shake his head and wonder what exactly he had just unleashed.
The smirk on his face dropped the second he spotted Clan Chalium’s colors and the confused-looking messenger standing in the crowded hall.
“Aye, come forward,” he boomed, silencing everyone in the hall.
All eyes turned and watched as the messenger rushed toward him.
“Laird McFair, Laird Chalium has a message for ye,” the messenger said with a stiff bow as he handed Thomas a missive.
Thomas took the parchment and unfolded it.
Laird McFair,
It has come to my attention that you are harboring Miss Astrid Fulton and her daughter, Melody. The men you dispatched on the road were loyal to me and will be missed greatly. I find your actions most alarming and a threat to our peace.
Allow me to make myself very clear. I do not appreciate it when others interfere in my affairs. However, I’m willing to overlook such matters if you return Astrid to me promptly.
Thomas scanned the room for any signs of Astrid or Melody. When he couldn’t find them, a prickle of unease ran up his spine. Did they leave the Great Hall of their own volition?
He clenched the letter until his knuckles turned white. He clenched his jaw as his eyes landed squarely on Olivia. The sympathy in her gaze was as alarming as it was soothing.
“Thank ye,” he said to the messenger.
“And what of the lasses?” the messenger asked.
“Never ye mind about them,” Thomas answered coldly. “They are here and well cared for. Ye can go and tell yer master that they are both under me care at the moment and if he wants to see them, he must come and collect them.”
The messenger bowed low and hurried out of the Great Hall.
Thomas’s chest tightened. He had just seen Astrid and Melody, but how long ago was that?
“Guards,” he called. “Search the grounds and find the new healer and her daughter. I willnae have anyone harm them, understand? They are to be protected at all costs.”
“Thomas, ye need to think things through,” Alba urged, rushing to his side as the guards marched out of the Great Hall to execute his orders. “What are ye goin’ to do once ye find them?”
“I’ll assign a guard to them,” Thomas answered.
“Why? Think about this,” Alba said as she grabbed him by the shoulders. “Ye must consider the consequences.”
“I dinnae have time for this, Maither. I need to find Astrid.”
“Aye, and then what? That’s what I’m tryin’ to get ye to see here. Ye cannae just keep her locked away. Laird Chalium will find a way to get to her—he could bring war to the halls of McFair. Is that what ye want?”
“Nay. Ye ken I want peace, but I cannae hand her over. I willnae. I vowed to protect her, and that is what I will do.”
Alba paused as the weight of his words sank in.
Exhaling sharply, Thomas watched the worry leave her eyes like dirty water flowing down the stream.
