Page 46 of Bound to a Scot
“We should get this done,” she said. “Before he comes back.”
“Aye. ‘Tis probably a good idea.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The ensuing few days unfolded much the same way. Burchard had whipped everybody into a frenzy getting the castle cleaned and prepared for the coming wedding announcement feast, although it hadn’t escaped Emmeline’s notice that he had yet to set an actual date for it. And through it all, Burchard had made sure to put her together with Maddox, working in close quarters. It had left her completely confounded.
Eventually though, Emmeline had come to realize what was really going on. Burchard always had ulterior motives, and his actions always had an agenda. This was no different.
“Is he watchin’ then?” Maddox asked.
“Of course, he is,” she replied softly. “He’s always watchin’.”
She and Maddox sat at table together at the far end of the great hall taking their afternoon meal. They had spent the morningdoing the menial chores Burchard had tasked them with, chores the servants could have done. Emmeline had never shied away from rolling her sleeves up and getting her hands dirty. She was not afraid to work. What bothered her about it was that Burchard had them doing those things while he watched them from afar, as if he was expecting something to happen between them and was just waiting for it.
Emmeline had to admit her growing attraction to Maddox. Putting them in close quarters was only fanning those flames that burned between them. It was what confounded her the most about what Burchard was doing. It was as if he’d sniffed out the feelings that were developing and was deliberately forcing them into situations that might tempt them into doing something more. What she didn’t know was why he was doing it.
“What dae ye think he’s hopin’ tae get out of this?” Emmeline asked. “Is he just tryin’ tae make us uncomfortable?”
“Daes workin’ with me make ye uncomfortable?”
“Ye ken ‘tis nae that,” she replied softly.
Emmeline’s cheeks flushed and she looked down at the table. She swallowed hard, trying to get rid of the lump in her throat. What should have been a simple answer to a simple question was anything but. It wasn’t working with Maddox that made her uncomfortable. It was the feelings she had for him, which were growing and getting stronger by the day. And working in such close quarters with him was only exacerbating the situation.
She raised her gaze and when she saw the subtle smirk flickering across his lips, she knew he was teasing her. That he knew why she was so flummoxed by the whole situation. She knew his feelings for her were every bit as strong as hers were for him. She could see it in his eyes. She could see it in the lingering looks he gave her, as well as the weight of the unspoken words that pressed down on them both. A weight so heavy, it felt like she was being crushed beneath it.
She’d done what she had promised herself she’d never do… she’d let herself come to care for a man. A man she could never have. And knowing that hurt her more deeply than she’d ever anticipated it could. Her only solace was knowing Maddox was hurting just as much as she was, and that she was not alone in her frustration. Being so close to something you wanted so badly, but not even being able to touch it, was maddening.
“I dinnae ken why he’s doin’ this tae us,” she said.
“Yer husband?—”
“Please. Dinnae call him that.”
“’Tis what he is,” he replied evenly.
“Aye. Daesnae mean I like tae be reminded of it though.”
A sympathetic expression touched Maddox’s face, and he nodded. “Aye. I’m sorry.”
“’Tis alright.”
“All I was sayin’ is that Burchard isnae a stupid man,” he said gently. “He can obviously see what we feel?—”
“Things we shouldnae be feelin’. I’m married and ye’re goin’ tae be.”
Maddox frowned but nodded. “Aye,” he said softly. “Ye’re right. I ken ye’re right. I dae. It’s just—I cannae turn off what I feel.”
“Neither can I. But we have tae find a way. This is madness and we’re only hurtin’ ourselves—and each other, Maddox.”
He sighed heavily and his shoulders slumped as the weight of her words seemed to settle down over him. His features darkened and his eyes filled with a sadness blended with frustration. It was a feeling Emmeline could relate to all too well.
“What are we goin’ tae dae about it then?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I dinnae ken. Especially nae if he keeps forcin’ us tae work together.”
Despite knowing they shouldn’t be in such close quarters with each other, the thought of not being so near to him sent a lance of pain through her heart. Emmeline felt damned if she did and damned if she didn’t. She was in hell, and it was all Burchard’s doing. It made her believe that Maddox was right, that Burchardknew about their feelings for each other and was just tormenting them. But again, she didn’t know to what end.
