Page 39 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander
Thomas nodded as he forced a smile that did not quite reach his eyes. “Aye, Duncan. ‘Tis a fine idea. I could use the fresh air.”
He rose from his chair, and the cold seeped into his bones the moment he stepped away from the warmth of the fire. Perhaps the open skies and the call of the bowstring would clear the fog of thoughts that clung to him like a shadow.
As he donned his cloak, the weight of his responsibilities settled back on his shoulders. He was a laird, a leader of men and protector of his clan. He could not afford to be distracted by the enchanting Astrid, despite the way her laughter echoed in his mind and the fact that her fiery spirit ignited something deep within him.
“Are the lads ready?” Thomas asked, his voice firm, banishing any lingering thoughts of the woman who had breached the sanctity of his solitude.
“Aye, they await yer command,” Duncan replied, a knowing glint in his eyes. Perhaps he sensed Thomas’s inner turmoil, the push and pull of duty against desire.
With a determined nod, Thomas strode out of his chamber. The cool air of the early morning kissed his skin as he strolled through the quiet corridors of the castle. His footsteps echoed off the stone walls, reminding him of his position as Laird.
As he descended the staircase leading to the foyer, his chest tightened as he caught a glimpse of Astrid. It was a vision that both haunted and teased him.
She stood with her hair flowing in a braid down her back. She turned to face him. The expression on her face was one of confusion mingled with ire. He hadn’t expected that she’d be up so early, yet seeing her thrilled him.
“Astrid,” he said as he moved toward her.
Her name lingered on the tip of his tongue as if it were a treat. She glared at him before turning on her heels and marching down the hall without a word.
Confused by her silent rebuke, Thomas glanced to Duncan for an explanation.
Duncan arched an eyebrow as his attention shifted to the servants who had witnessed their Laird’s humiliation. Thomas did not doubt that rumors about what just transpired would spread.
Rumors in a castle were like kindle to fire. One couldn’t go anywhere without catching someone whispering or chatting about something. Only now, Thomas would know what the chatter was about, and he didn’t like it.
“Ye dinnae have the time to be chasin’ her,” Duncan reminded him as he was about to turn on his heel and follow Astrid into the drawing room.
“And what news do ye bring? Has me faither made it through the night?”
“Aye,” Duncan answered. “There’s been nay news about him. I’m sure he’s fine. Right now, though, we’ve got to get to the courtyard. Priorities, Me Laird. Ye cannae be everywhere at once.”
“Nay, ye’re right. Can never be distracted from the task at hand,” Thomas mumbled as he watched Astrid go up the stairs.
He wondered if she was going back to their room or the bathing chambers to soak. He struggled against his desire to follow her.
“Me Laird,” Duncan called, his voice rattling him to the core.
Reluctantly, Thomas turned to him. He felt torn between his duties and the woman who had captivated his thoughts. “Aye, I’m comin’.”
With a heavy heart, he strolled away, reminded once again of the weight of his responsibilities.
As he reached the training grounds, the sun had already risen over the canopy of the forest. The earth had been warmed enough to leave a blanket of fog lingering over the ground.
It was such a lovely sight that he found himself wishing he could share it with Astrid. He pulled in a deep breath, wishing he understood why she was avoiding him as the laughter and shouts filled the air. Thomas exhaled as his ear caught the whistles of arrows as they flew through the crisp morning air.
Yet, despite the excitement, Thomas couldn’t help but feel a hollowness within him. Sure enough, in the depths of his being, he felt it, the chasm where his hope and confusion intertwined.
As the sun drifted higher in the sky and bathed the training pitch in a warm glow, Thomas found himself unable to focus. He stood shoulder to shoulder with his men and drew back his bow. Yet, despite his focus, his arrows flew crooked and missed their target entirely.
“I have to say, ye havenae shot this poorly since ye were a lad,” Duncan teased. “Could it be that ye’ve got something foggin’ yer head?”
“Nay,” Thomas answered, too ashamed to admit that maybe his thoughts weren’t on firing arrows but rather on his wife.
“What have I told ye before? Distractions are like the smoke of a fire. Ye cannae ken what ye’re fightin’ against until ye can name it. What is controllin’ yer mind right now?”
“Nothing,” Thomas answered defiantly.
The last thing he wanted was to draw his men’s attention to Astrid. They didn’t need to know that his wife had him tied up in knots of confusion and want.
