Page 48 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander
“Aye, I suppose it is,” the Laird agreed as they came to the end of the hallway.
Astrid found herself eager for his company. As long as he was by her side, she felt safe and secure, which was something she hadn’t expected at all.
“Thomas,” Alba called from the other end of the hall. The Laird and Astrid turned around. “Yer faither wishes to speak wit’ ye.”
“Aye, I’ll be right there,” he answered, before turning back to Astrid. “I ken that I promised dinner tonight.”
“Ye need nae say anything, Me Laird. It is yer right to call off such things.”
“Aye, but ye must ken that I didnae want to. But?—”
“Ye should never feel as if ye have to choose between me and yer faither. I ken I’m here to tend to him.”
“And ye did. Better than anyone has since he fell so ill,” the Laird affirmed. Astrid watched as his gaze flicked back to the other end of the hallway. “But I promised ye dinner.”
“Are ye sayin’ that ye’re plannin’ on closin’ the kitchen tonight?” Astrid asked, hoping to ease the tension that lingered between them.
The Laird’s eyes snapped back toward her, flickering with confusion. “Nay.”
“Then I will still be able to have dinner, thanks to yer hospitality.”
“Astrid—”
“Thomas, yer faither’s askin’ for ye.” Alba’s plea bounced off the walls, drawing the Laird’s attention.
“Go,” Astrid urged, even though her arms ached to wrap around her husband’s strong body once more.
Despite his size, at that moment, he looked as if he were but a child. She wished there was more she could do for Tavish, but by all accounts, the man should have already been dead. Yet, here he was, a survivor just like her.
“Yer faither’s wits willnae be around for much longer.”
“Thank ye for what ye did. I dinnae ken how ye managed to get him to calm down, but ye did.”
Astrid flashed the Laird a smile and then watched as he turned on his heels and rushed back to his father’s chambers. Her heart fluttered in her chest just before it sank.
His absence was profound. It was as if he had stolen all the warmth and what little light there was from the corridor when he left.
Dropping her shoulders, Astrid turned and made her way down the steps. The castle was bustling with activity so late in the evening. But with Tavish well-tended to, her evening was free, and there was only one place she wanted to be.
“I doesnae fit me anymore,” Melody whined as she tried pulling her dress over her head once again.
How the child managed to grow so fast astonished Astrid. It was as if time was slipping away far too quickly.
“Maybe it’s all the sweets I’ve been catchin’ ye scarf down after dinner each night,” Astrid teased as she helped Melody out of her dress and placed it with the others that no longer fit. “But I’m sure Mrs. Balled will find someone to give these to, and she might even have something ye can wear till I can get the dressmaker to come here.”
“Why can we nae just ask Thomas?”
“It’s Laird McFair or the Laird. We have nay right to call him by his first name.”
“But ye’re married to him,” Melody pointed out, confusion riddling her face. She cocked her head to the side and studied Astrid.
For a moment, Astrid couldn’t help but feel as if her sister was staring back at her.
“Aye, and I have a title now as well, but it doesnae mean that I ken the man.”
“Lady McFair. And how is that? Is everyone as nice to ye as they are to me now? It’s almost as if I’ve become a queen, wit’ all the servants askin’ how they can help.”
“Ye’re nae runnin’ them ragged, are ye?” Astrid asked as she raised a suspicious eyebrow. “Just because ye have the power to have things done for ye doesnae mean ye should take advantage of it.”
