Page 49 of The Highlander's Auctioned Bride
“Could ye inform Mrs. Murray I have returned earlier than expected? She can prepare lunch,” he said. “I need to speak to Maisie before she throws a dirk at me.”
He was fully aware he had left without a farewell again. Despite the heat they had shared the night before, he was not foolish enough to believe he had won her over.
“Aye, m’laird, but she isnae here.”
James stopped, spinning around to glare at him.
“What?”
“She went into town with her maid.”
James growled, illogically angry that she was not there when he wanted to speak to her.
Perhaps this is how she feels when I leave with nae warnin’.He shook off the thought.I am the laird of this castle, I can dae as I please.
He stormed back towards Kenzie, the horse skittering backward as she saw him approaching, hearing Harris hard on his heels.
“Where are ye goin’?” Harris asked, his voice almost wild. “M’laird, dinnae dae anythin’ rash.”
“She accuses me of abandonin’ her and then leaves when she has been houndin’ me to spend mealtimes together.”
“M’laird,” Harris said, with a warning in his voice.
“She should be here,” he thundered, untying Kenzie who looked wearily up at him after her long journey that morning.
“She went to buy a book!”
“We have a library!” James growled back as he took off at a gallop out of the castle and headed toward town.
In his mind, he knew he was being entirely irrational. Maisie was perfectly entitled to go to town whenever she wanted, but it was not only that.Hehad wanted to show her the town. It was somewhere special to him, he had wanted them to see it together.
There was a part of him that wanted to show her off to his people.
He had missed her that morning, wishing that he had invited her into his bed the night before. It was as though Maisie had taken over his mind completely. He had spent much of his time at Abingdon Castle wishing he was back with her, and that was most frustrating of all.
Is that how Faither felt? Choosin’ a pretty face over duty, time and time again?
He slowed his pace as he reached the town, nodding to a few of the townsfolk, keeping a sharp eye out for his wife.
As he made his way through the streets and up the hill toward the large kirk where they had been wed, he finally saw them.
Two ladies were walking side by side through some wildflowers that had sprung up beside the path.
He charged over to them, knowing that he must look like thunder. Maisie turned, as did Jean, both of their eyes growing wide as he spurred Kenzie forward.
Dinnae be a brute now, James. Be civil.
“Did ye nae think to tell me ye were leavin’ the castle?”
“What?” Maisie cried. “Ye werenae there. Harris kent where we were.”
“Up!” James barked, and Maisie shrieked as he pulled her roughly onto the horse, crushing her body to his as Jean stared at them in shock.
“James MacLennan, let me down this instant!”
“Nae. I’ll show ye me lands meself, ye dinnae have permission to leave me sight unless I tell ye.”
Maisie shoved at his chest, and was stammering wildly as she tried to articulate her anger at him. James knew he was acting like the monster she had accused him of being—but he was powerless to prevent it.
