Page 31 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander
Astrid watched as Alba kicked up a fuss over the news, yet something about it seemed fake.
“Ye kenned about his decision to marry me, did ye nae?” she asked flatly as she let the herbs steep.
Alba dropped her shoulders and flashed her a sheepish smile. “Thomas is a good man,” she began. “He learned from his faither. Ye see, Tavish has never once raised a hand to me. We have been together since I was sixteen. We’ve had a very long and very wonderful marriage. Ye could have the same wit’ Thomas.”
“The Laird has made it very clear what he wants from our marriage,” Astrid said. “And I dinnae think I could give him the things he wants.”
“An heir? Are ye barren?” Alba asked. Tavish moaned, causing her to hurry to his bed and apply more of the balm. “I thought the lass was…”
“She’s mine,” Astrid answered without delay. “But I dinnae ken if I’m able to have another.”
“I see,” Alba murmured. “Some men dinnae ken how to handle the women God gives them. Some beat them, tryin’ to mold them into people they’re nae. Then, ye have men who see the beauty in the world and vow to protect it. Thomas may nae seem like it, but he is doin’ his best to preserve the beauty he sees in ye.”
11
Thomas moved through the corridors of the castle. His mind was flooded with images of Astrid. She was a vision of ethereal beauty and wonder. The way she moved in the garden… it was as if she were a wisp of his fantasies come to life. His heart ached as he trudged back to his study.
The scent of parchment and the warmth of the fire awaited him as well as the solace of his books. He didn’t like the feelings stirring within him. When he had first spotted Astrid in the garden, his manhood had twitched with yearning for her. He had gone out there not to trap a banshee, but an angel.
How could such a desirable woman be so caring and kind? She didn’t care that she had run through the corridors of the castle in her shift. No, it was her mission that drove her. Thomas couldn’t help but wonder if he would have bolted from his bed so eagerly and willingly were the shoe on the other foot.
He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. There was no denying the fact that Astrid’s very existence challenged him. She was strong and brave, loyal and honorable.
“I want her,” he whispered to the fire that consumed the kindling in the hearth. He stood like a silent sentinel, rooted to the spot, knowing that some things were better left unsaid.
Just as he had settled in for a long night, a ruckus erupted in the foyer, an unholy sound of metal clashing against metal that shattered the stillness of the night.
“God’s Tooth, what is that clamor?”
With his heart in his throat, he raced toward the door. Every nerve and muscle in his body was coiled tight.
What misfortune had landed in his home?
Rushing down the corridor, dread swirled in his gut. Was this Laird Chalium’s attempt to reclaim Astrid?
He drew his dirk, wishing he had his claymore on him. But whatever evil lurked around the corner, he was going to face it.
“Reid?! What in God’s name are ye doin’? Are ye tryin’ to get yerself killed?” Thomas snapped as he found his brother sprawled on the floor, under the side table—which he had managed to wrap around him.
Reid flashed him a drunken smile, his eyes glinting with mischief beneath his tousled brown hair.
Thomas moved swiftly toward him and pulled him out of the mess.
“What are ye doin’?” he repeated. His ears perked up as the sound of his sisters’ high-pitched voices drifted down the hallway. “Besides waking up the entire castle?”
Reid pressed his finger to his lips and shook his head. Panic flickered across his face. “Maither cannae ken that I’m here. Please, ye have to hide me.”
“I dinnae have to do any such thing,” Thomas huffed. “But for the sake of keepin’ the peace, get up and move. Go to me study, I’ll speak wit’ ye there.”
“But the music, it calls to me,” Reid moaned as he swayed, trying to stay on his feet. There was no telling how much he had drunk. What was concerning was the fact that he couldn’t keep his balance. “Do ye nae hear it?”
“Go bang on the piano if ye want to hear music. But the castle is restin’, and ye’re disturbin’ the peace.”
“Well, sorry,” Reid grumbled as he stuck out his tongue just as Olivia and Eileen came rushing down the hallway.
They stopped as they both took in the scene. Thomas didn’t have to know what it was they were thinking—it was written all over their weary faces.
“Wait till Maither hears that ye’re the phantom of McFair Castle,” Eileen hissed as she took Olivia’s arm and they both walked away.
