Page 29 of The Mad Highlander
Cayden spoke up again. “That reminds me, dinnae think that I’ve forgotten about that. I dinnae want to hear of this again; ye personally will be responsible for finding a replacement for Eilis, an’ every maid ye see fit to find love for after that.”
“That isnae fair! It is the lady of the castle’s job to find new maids!” Robyn protested fiercely, looking to her mother for help.
Margot shook her head and raised her hands. “Dinnae look at me, I told ye nae to meddle anymore, an’ ye didnae listen, so ye must face yer brother’s wrath now. An’ dinnae look at Iris, she will handle the running of the castle once they are married, but I agree with Cayden, ye will be responsible for it from now on until ye’ve learned nae to meddle.”
Robyn pouted with a heavy sigh, leaning back in her chair before crossing her arms over her chest.
It was Hunter who leaned forward and whispered to Iris. “Dinnae fuss, lass; everyone in this family loves each other a great deal, despite what ye may have heard about them.”
“Aye,” was all she whispered back before focusing on her plate.
Everything she had seen and heard up to now in the castle had left her with a great deal of confusion. She had pictured Cayden as a cold monster who had murdered his father and brother in cold blood. Yet his mother and sister loved him a great deal and even looked up to him as the head of the family.
The floor was not stained with blood, and nobody had forced her into a dungeon. Just how much of what she had heard was true? Her heart yearned for answers as she glanced up at Cayden, who had turned his attention to his plate.
The rest of the dinner proceeded with light banter between the family. Cayden only seemed to interact whenever anyone addressed him directly. Hunter seemed to be close with the family. She learned from their conversations that he had grown up with Cayden and had stood by his side through thick and thin. It turned out that he was only three years older.
She had expected Cayden to leave with Hunter when dinner was over, yet he had caught her off guard when everyone else stood to leave.
“Iris, would ye wait just a moment? I have news of Ashton.” Cayden had spoken softly to her, keeping his gaze fixed on hers as the others exchanged glances and left.
“Aye?” Iris waited until the coast was clear again before turning to him with a spark of hope in her chest.
Cayden cleared his throat. “We have come up with a plan an’ informed the council. Yer cousin Tristan will nae longer be joining us; it seems as if yer clan has been plagued by a fever. Hunter has offered to step in an’ help where Tristan was supposed to.”
Iris felt her heart sinking amidst the relief at hearing that the plan to rescue Ashton was going ahead. She hadn’t heard a single word from Tristan asking her how she was or even urging her to go ahead with the plan to rescue Ashton. She knew that he would more than likely have been in contact with Cayden, but still, she couldn’t help but feel abandoned.
“Iris, I’m sure yer cousin will be fine. I will send one of me men to check on Tristan, but I havenae heard any reports of anyone dying or that the fever is spreading to the other clans.” He spoke softly as if he could tell what she was thinking.
Looking up, she tried her hardest to smile despite the disappointment she felt. “Thank ye for yer efforts, an’ please, thank Hunter as well. He seems like a kind man.”
Cayden nodded. “Aye, he’s a kind man. An’ I ken that I said I would spend more time with ye, but I was just busy with the arrangements this morning.”
Iris could see that he was trying to put in an effort; whether it was because he could see that Ashton’s situation was weighing heavy on her or for some other reason entirely, she wasn’t sure.
“Are ye still leaving in a week?” Iris did the calculations in her mind, counting the days that had passed. It had more or less been three days, meaning that there were only eleven left until they proceeded.
“Aye, just over a week, I still need to make the final arrangements, but it will be more or less around that time.” He searched her face in the same intense way he had done before they kissed.
“I was wondering if ye would allow me to go with ye when ye rescue Ashton. I ken that I wouldnae be of any use, but I would like to see him as soon as possible,” she asked him hopefully, unable to bear the thought of staying behind and waiting.
Cayden shook his head. “I can understand how anxious ye are, but I’m afraid that that would be out of the question. The men going with are highly skilled, an’ ye would only get in the way.”
Her anger and irritation grew as she glared at him.
Get in the way?
Was he worried for her safety, or did he see her as some kind of weak woman who was only good to run his house and sire his heirs? “I ken that I wouldnae be able to fight or even help infiltrate the castle, but I could wait somewhere close to the castle an’ see Ashton as soon as yer out.”
Cayden simply shook his head again. “I’m afraid that I cannae allow that to happen.”
“Cannae or willnae? Because it seems to me that you have every ability as laird of this castle to make a decision like that. You promised me that you would give me everything I need; well, I am telling you that I need you to allow me this one request.” Iris stood her ground, feeling incensed at his refusal.
“I cannae place yer life in danger!” Cayden seemed to snap at her, raising his voice.
Iris felt her blood boiling as she glared up at him. “There is nae need to shout, Me Laird. I heard ye loud an’ clear.” She took a deep breath and glowered at him before turning on her heels and leaving the room.
“Iris, wait…” Cayden called after her, but she had already rounded the corner.
