Page 97 of The Highlander's Auctioned Hellion
“Are ye cleanin’?” she asked, putting her hands on her hips. “Because ye are doin’ it wrong.”
“What dae ye want?” he muttered.
“What dae Iwant?I was in my workroom and thought we were bein’ invaded. I walk up the stairs and there’s a hundred servants standin’ listenin’ to their master losin’ his mind by the door. What dae ye think ye’re doin’?”
Callum took a long sip from his glass. “Moira took the girls.”
Kristen’s shoulders lowered, her eyes softening as she nodded slowly.
“Aye, I heard,” she looked around at the mess at her feet. “And then ye decided to destroy yer brother’s study?”
“Aye.”
“And where is yer bride?”
Callum’s fingers tightened around the glass as he stared into the middle distance.
“She is leavin’,” he said bitterly, glancing at Kristen as she crossed her arms over her chest.
“Is that so?”
“Aye.”
“And why is she leavin’? What did ye dae?” she demanded.
“Why does it have to be my fault?”
“Because I ken ye, Callum Murray. I have kenned ye since ye were runnin’ around me maither’s house in the village makin’ a nuisance of yerself with me husband. I have seen the way yer bride looks at ye, so I dinnae think she is leavin’ willingly. And I have seen the wayyelook ather. So how do two people who care for one another get ripped apart by a woman who has already destroyed yer life once?”
“She says it is best that she leave. Moira said she’ll bring back the girls if Lydia is gone.”
“Och, aye? And since when has Moira Lawson ever done anythin’ that doesnae serve herself?”
“What would ye have me dae?”
Kristen stepped over a pile of books and came to stand before him. Callum had never felt small around a woman before until he saw the fierce expression on her face.
“Somethin’, M’Laird,” she said darkly. “I would recommend ye dae somethin’ other than sittin’ gettin’ drunk and makin’ a mess o’ the place. Those wee bairns and yer wife deserve a lot more than that from their Laird. Have ye tried talkin’ to her? That’s usually a good start.”
Kristen turned, her long hair swishing behind her back as she did so.
She closed the door, and Callum was left in the dark alone. He crumpled the letter against his chest, wincing at the pain he still felt at reading his brother’s words.
“I willnae let Moira ruin our lives again, Angus. That is a solemn promise.”
CHAPTER 27
Lydia sat staringat her wedding dress, a numbness in her body that wouldn’t fade.
The sun was low in the sky, and if she was planning to leave, she would need to do so soon. She did not relish the thought of traveling through Scotland at night.
Rubbing her thumb over her palm, she willed herself to get up and collect her things, but the act of moving felt harder than ever.
I never thought it would be so difficult to leave this place.
She wondered how the twins must be feeling, traveling away from their home for the first time.
Moira had been so confident, so forthright in what she had said to Callum.
