Page 91 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander
The second he stepped out of his chambers, he steeled his nerves. He wasn’t Astrid’s husband, but the Laird, and he was going to use his power and position to the fullest.
Marching down the hallway, he stopped before the first guard he came across. “I want ye posted at the Lady’s chamber.”
“Aye, Me Laird.”
“And get three more men. I’ll have her protected and watched.”
“Ye want to put a shadow on yer wife?” the guard asked, confused.
Thomas nodded. He understood all too well how bad it was going to look, but he wasn’t going to take any chances. He wouldn’t risk her life.
“That is exactly what I want,” he confirmed. “I want an eye on her at all times. But be discreet—she’ll nae like it. And see to it that there is a guard wit’ Melody as well.”
“Ye think Laird Chalium is goin’ to attack again?” the guard asked.
Thomas shook his head. “Nay. I dinnae think he’d attack so soon. But I want me family safe. Can I count on ye?”
“Aye,” the guard answered and started down the hallway with a newfound purpose.
Thomas found that he could breathe just a bit easier with Astrid looked after. It was, after all, the best solution he could come up with that would keep her safe without him having to drag her to the dungeons.
As soon as he entered his study, he made for the corner and picked up the scrolls of maps. He unrolled them one by one on his desk. Leaning over them, Thomas was determined to find a route that could get him in and out without Laird Chalium’s men spotting them.
He pored over the maps, committing to memory the trails he could utilize and the places where he’d set traps.
“Me Laird!” a maid shouted as she burst into the study.
Thomas looked up at her and straightened at the sight of her flushed face.
“It’s yer faither. He’s havin’ a spell. Ye need to come quickly.”
“Is Astrid nae already helpin’?” Thomas asked, surprised by the interruption.
He had assumed that Astrid could fix any problems that arose with Tavish, so why then wasn’t she attending to him now?
“Nay, Me Laird. We’ve sent for her, but she’s nowhere to be found.”
“What!?” Thomas rounded his desk and grabbed the maid’s arm more roughly than he had intended. Relaxing his grip, he glared at her. “Say it again?”
“The Lady has nae been seen since breakfast,” the maid answered, her voice trembling with fear.
“And nay one thought to tell me that the Lady is missing?” Thomas shouted.
“There was nay way to ken until she was needed.”
“Where is Melody?” Thomas snapped, trying his hardest to keep his temper under control.
“She’s wit’ yer sister in the drawin’ room doin’ her lessons,” she answered.
Terror shot through him as he darted out of the study. His mind raced through one scenario after another. What could have happened? Did Laird Chalium come in once again under the cloak of night to steal Astrid away? Nay, Thomas was certain that he had enough men to secure the castle. And if he had come, the alarm would have sounded. Nay, it wasn’t Chalium. Unless he sent someone to snatch her from the grounds…
Thomas shook the thought from his mind instantly. No, it wasn’t in the middle of the night that she could have fled. She was with him, warming his bed till morning. It would all determine the last time Melody saw her on how long she had been gone.
He rounded the corner and rushed toward the stairs. If there was anyone in the castle that would know where Astrid could be, it was Melody. Thomas stepped into the drawing room as if he were a tornado ripping things apart. Melody’s attention shifted to the doorway the second Thomas entered the room. Her eyes widened with curiosity and worry.
“Thomas, what brings ye here at this hour?” Eileen asked as she closed her book and set it on her lap.
“I’m lookin’ for Astrid. Have ye seen her?” Thomas asked, directing his attention to Melody.
