Page 51 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander
Letting out a heavy sigh, he couldn’t help but wonder what sort of man his father would be when he awoke again. The time Tavish was coherent seemed to be coming to an end, and Thomas was fully aware of it.
“And how was yer dinner wit’ her? And dinnae give me that look—the whole castle has been goin’ on about the fancy meal ye’ve prepared for her. Ye ken, if I didnae ken any better, I’d think ye were tryin’ to woo yer wife.”
“Well, I need the rumors to stop. I like the castle as peaceful as I can get it, and that includes squashin’ the rumors that can get a bit boisterous and grandiose, wouldnae ye say? As for dinner, we are here, are we nae?” Thomas looked at his mother with pity. The years lingered on her in the lines etched on the corners of her lips and her eyes.
“Aye,” she said, tapping a finger on her forehead and shaking her head dismissively. “I’m sorry. I dinnae ken what I was thinkin’. I’m sure ye’ll find another time to dine wit’ her. The two of ye are married now—ye have nothing but time to get to ken each other. And believe me when I say that it will take a lifetime to do so. Even now, yer faither finds ways to surprise me.”
“Well, ye two have been together for decades,” Thomas pointed out.
“Fifty-three years,” Alba emphasized. “And sometimes it feels like we’ve only met yesterday. But I suppose that is the beauty of marriage.”
“And also the darker side of it, especially when there are council members involved. I’m surprised they havenae said anything about the fact that Astrid isnae even part of our clan.”
“She is now,” Alba answered sternly.
“Aye, there’s nay doubt about that now. Astrid and Melody are me responsibility until the day I die.”
“They’re more than just a chore to mark off,” Alba said. “Just as rumors are nasty words that can get out of hand. But if ye’re worried about what people are sayin’ about yer wife, I wouldnae worry—everyone is in awe wit’ her.”
“I think more because she’s an outsider.”
“Healers arenae common or outsiders by any stretch of the imagination. If anything, they’re the thread that binds the fabric of society,” Alba said as she reached a hand to Thomas.
The warmth of his mother seeped into the darkest crevasses of his soul. He had only ever wanted to serve his clan and his family, and to hear his mother praise Astrid only filled him with pride.
Glancing out the window, he couldn’t help but notice the sliver of moonlight peeking through the low clouds. He rose from his father’s bedside and stretched the achiness from his bones.
“It is late, and I have much to do in the morning,” he sighed.
“That’s right, ye’re throwin’ a cèilidh. Ye ken, yer sisters would love to help wit’ that,” Alba suggested.
“Have them talk to Reid. I put him in charge of it,” Thomas answered, trying not to let his mother’s tone grate on his nerves.
“Why on earth would ye do that? Ye ken that yer braither will only invite the most unsavory people,” Alba grumbled. “This just willnae do, nae at all.”
“I’m sure that Reid is more than capable,” Thomas called over his shoulder as he made his way to the door. “He does, after all, have a knack and an eye for such things.”
“So does Olivia.”
“Then I’ll have her work wit’ him. It wasnae supposed to be a big affair. A nice feast, a few barrels of mead, and music. Nothing fancy. Just a get-together, really.”
“Dinnae worry about it,” Alba said, waving him away. “I’ll get it sorted in the morning. Right now, go and salvage yer evening wit’ Astrid.”
“I dinnae ken if I’ll be able to,” Thomas answered as he pulled open the door.
“Ye ken how to woo the lasses. I’ve seen ye flirt wit’ them in yer youth,” Alba scoffed.
“That was before Faither handed me the lairdship,” Thomas said. “It feels like a lifetime ago.”
“Such things will come back to ye, I promise. It’s like wieldin’ yer sword. At first, it was a bit awkward, but wit’ practice, ye learn.”
“I dinnae think I’ll be able to learn how to woo Astrid,” Thomas admitted.
“That’s why ye have yer whole life to try,” Alba teased as she gave him a wink. “Besides, I’ve never kenned ye to back down from a challenge. And believe me when I say that marriage is the biggest challenge ye’ll ever face.”
Her words hovered over Thomas like a rain cloud as the chill of the stone corridor seeped into his bones. His footsteps echoed through the empty hallway as he made his way to his chambers. With each step he took, his heart felt lighter. Just the mere thought of catching Astrid awake thrilled him.
But as he approached the door to his chamber, he stopped and stared at the golden light filtering out from beneath Astrid’s door.
