Page 64 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander
“Me Laird, we have all the men stationed around the grounds,” Duncan reported, his voice droning on in the background.
The remnants of yesterday’s worries lingered like a bad taste Thomas couldn’t get rid of. He rubbed his temples, trying to shake off the shadows that clung to him like the morning mist.
Outside, the world awakened slowly, the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant call of a lone crow weaving a tapestry of sound that, for a fleeting moment, eased the ache in his heart.
“And the outer court?” he asked, even though Duncan had never failed him before.
Of course, the entire castle was under lock and key, with only one person holding the key.
“Ye have enough men if something arises?”
“Are we expectin’ trouble?” Duncan asked as Thomas glared at his brother’s reflection in the windowpane.
Reid shifted in his seat as he waved his hand dismissively. “There willnae be any issue from anyone, I swear,” he said, crossing his finger over his heart.
Thomas looked to Duncan for reassurance. Even if Reid failed, Duncan wouldn’t.
“And what of Faither?” he asked as he turned around. “Will he be tended to? After all, this cèilidh is for Astrid, and I’d hate to have her miss it.”
“Faither will be fine,” Reid reassured him as he shifted in his seat again. “Everything is organized and ready. Ye asked for a small gathering, and that’s what ye’ll get. I’m a man of me word. Have a little faith.”
“Faith,” Duncan grumbled with a shake of his head.
“Faither got out last night,” Thomas said, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“What? Nay, ye’re mistaken. Was anyone?—”
“Nay, thank God. It was a quick stint,” Thomas said.
“How did he manage to get out?” Reid asked.
“That’s what I want to ken,” Thomas snapped as he glared at Duncan. “We cannae have these sorts of incidents happen tonight. This is to be Astrid’s evening, and I want it to go without a hitch.”
“Are ye sure ye want to proceed wit’ it? I mean, if there’s a chance that Faither could break loose again…” Reid mused as he rubbed the stubble on his chin.
Thomas folded his arms over his chest and glared at his brother. “Ye havenae started the preparations, have ye?” he snapped, barely keeping his tempter in check. “Ye’ve had three days, and ye dinnae have anything ready or set, do ye?”
“There was a wee problem,” Reid admitted.
“I kenned it,” Thomas huffed, throwing his hands up in frustration. “I gave ye one job—a job that ye wanted, mind ye—and ye failed. How could ye? Ye ken what? I dinnae care. I dinnae want to hear yer excuses.”
“Thomas, please, there was this lass, and she needed help. I couldnae just turn me back on her,” Reid explained as Thomas balled his fists at his sides.
“There is always some lass ye feel the need to save. Go fetch Eileen and Olivia. They will make right what ye’ve messed up.”
“Actually, Maither and Eileen are already aware of the situation. Ye see, they sort of saw me strugglin’ and… Well, ye ken how Maither is. She just stepped up and took over,” Reid said with a half-apologetic smirk.
“Ye had Maither handle the arrangements when she already has so much on her plate?” Thomas bellowed. He pointed a long finger at the door. “Get out.”
“I dinnae see what the problem is. The celebration will go on without a hitch. Astrid will be pleased, and all will be well,” Reid argued as Thomas shuffled him out of the study.
“I’d tell ye to go do something, but I doubt ye’ll even get that done,” Thomas said before he slammed the door in his brother’s face.
“Do ye think he does it on purpose, or does it come naturally to him?” Duncan asked as Thomas marched back into the study, making a beeline for his chair.
“I dinnae have the patience at the moment to deal wit’ Reid or his buffoonery. He gave me his word that he would organize the cèilidh, and what did he do? Wasted his time and resources, nay doubt. I have half a mind to cut his allowance in half.”
“Maybe it’s a good thing that the cèilidh wasnae organized by yer braither. Do ye remember the last time he threw a party?” Duncan chuckled darkly.
