Page 44 of Bound to a Scot
Something about the way he’d said it sent a chill down Maddox’s spine. But he reminded himself of Adair’s words, of his natural suspicion of people that bordered on paranoia. It was obvious that Macfie was a social climber and had designs on a bigger life than was currently available to him. Other than allying with him, it had nothing to do with Maddox.
“So, what is this all about then?” Maddox asked, gesturing to the bustle of activity around them. “Looks like ye’re plannin’ a feast.”
“I am.”
“What is the occasion?”
“This is all fer ye and Cecilia, yer bride tae be,” he announced with a grand, sweeping gesture.
“Fer us?”
“Of course,” he replies. “Ye’re weddin’ me little girl. A grand announcement of yer pendin’ nuptials only seems fittin’. Everybody should ken the happy news.”
Maddox was a man who shunned attention on the best of days. This was far from the best of days. And the idea of making a big announcement during a grand feast of an event he didn’t want to be part of in the first place, turned his stomach.
“’Tis nae necessary, Laird Macfie. I dinnae need a feast. I think we?—”
“Nonsense. ‘Tis nae fer ye. ‘tis fer me Cecilia,” he said. “She’s me only child and if I want tae throw a feast tae celebrate her nuptials, I’ll throw a bleedin’ feast.”
Maddox knew better than to argue with the man. This was his castle in his lands, and he was entitled to do whatever he wanted, regardless of what anybody else said. What irritated Maddox the most about this whole scene was that he knew it was just another way for Macfie to draw attention to himself. It had nothing to do with his daughter. This was all about Macfie showing off his wealth and position for all to see. It was, admittedly, an uncharitable view of the man, but it fit with what Maddox knew of him.
“Of course, Laird Macfie. I didnae mean tae question ye,” Maddox said, trying to keep the disdain from his voice.
The man eyed him closely for several long moments before giving him a firm nod, seemingly mollified by Maddox’s supposed act of contrition. Macfie clapped his hands and rubbed them together, with a strange air of excitement about him. In his limited time under Macfie’s roof, Maddox had not seen the man enthusiastic about anything. He didn’t know the perpetually glum and dour man was even capable of excitement. Seeing him almost giddy was… disconcerting.
“Adair, I wonder if ye’d be good enough tae assist Laith with… whatever he might need help with?” Macfie asked.
“Of course, me laird,” Adair replied with a nod.
He shot Maddox a questioning glance before he slipped away to find the tall, pale man, leaving him with Macfie, whose odd behavior was bothering him. Macfie looked at Maddox with a strange and expectant gleam in his eye, as if waiting for him to make the offer since it was unseemly and improper for one laird to order another to do something.
“And how may I assist ye, me laird?” Maddox asked.
“Thank ye fer yer offer, Laird MacLachlan. I appreciate ye bein’ willin’ tae lend a hand,” he replied, trying to sound gracious.
“Of course.”
“I was hopin’ ye could help Emmeline.”
Maddox looked around the bustling hall but didn’t see Emmeline anywhere. He turned back to Macfie, confusion upon his face.
“Oh, right. Sorry,” Macfie said lightheartedly. “She’s in the storeroom just beyond the kitchens. She’s takin’ an inventory on our supplies so we ken what we need tae get. I think she could use a hand with that.”
Maddox felt his stomach tighten and his throat grow dry. While the idea of being alone with Emmeline appealed to him greatly, being so close to her without being able to touch her would be hell on earth. It would be sheer torment.
He cleared his throat. “Of course, me laird,” Maddox said. “I’d be happy tae.”
“Excellent.”
He crossed the hall and slipped through the door at the rear, finding his way down to the kitchens. A few of the household staff were there preparing food for the evening meal, and looked up at him when he walked in.
“The storeroom?” he asked.
A younger woman with chestnut brown hair offered Maddox a smile and pointed to a doorway partially hidden by a largecabinet. The doorway opened to a short corridor with another rounded doorway at the far end. With a sigh, Maddox walked through the second door to find Emmeline sitting on a barrel on the far side of the room, her expression troubled.
“Are ye all right?” he asked.
She nearly jumped out of her skin and quickly looked up, eyes wide, face pale. When she realized it was him, her cheeks turned red and the startled expression on her face faded, quickly replaced by something more awkward.
