Page 14 of Saved By the Cruel Highlander
Holly stood there for a second, expecting Eliza to continue, but the maid didn’t.
“Well, whatever actions the Laird took were against his enemies, nae his people,” Holly said. “From the looks of this castle and its residents, the Laird has done well to provide for everyone.I didnae see maids dressed in torn or ragged clothin’,” she continued, looking pointedly at Eliza’s gown. “I didnae see children searchin’ through rubbish to find somethin’ to eat.”
“Nay, of course nae,” Eliza quickly said.
Holly was irritated, though. Even though she’d had mean thoughts about the Laird after he’d talked about her fulfilling her duties after they were wed, this still bothered her. His staff should not go around calling him beastly or a monster behind his back. They should have respect for their Laird, who provided for them.
“Then I would ask that ye, and everyone else, refrain from callin’ the Laird such names in me presence,” Holly said.
She didn’t raise her voice. She didn’t have to. Her tone was enough to tell the maid just how serious this was.
“In fact, tell the other servants that the words ‘beastly’ and ‘monster’ willnae be tolerated.”
The sound of clapping drew the women’s attention. Holly glanced at the door and froze.
CHAPTER FIVE
Pink stained Holly’s cheeks as she realized she’d been caught chastising servants when she hadn’t even been in the castle for a day.
The man who stood in the doorway, clapping, must be an elder. He had long gray hair pulled back from his face, a matching beard, and light brown eyes.
“Well done, Miss Taylor,” he said as he stepped further into the room. “And ye, Eliza, should ken better than to spread gossip, especially about yer Laird.” He paused for a moment to let his words sink in. “Dinnae ye have some chores to do?”
Eliza nodded quickly, her cheeks pinker than Holly’s.
“Then go.”
Eliza rushed out of the chamber, her skirts swishing about her feet.
The older man came to a stop in front of Holly. “I am Alexander Fergus, but everyone calls me Fergus. And ye are Holly Taylor, soon to be Lady McAllister. ‘Tis nice to meet ye.”
“Mr. Fergus?—”
“Just Fergus,” he interrupted.
Holly nodded. “Fergus. I must apologize?—”
“Ye have nothin’ to apologize for,” he interrupted again. Holly decided this was one of the man’s traits. “Ye put Eliza in her place, as ye should. I am glad to see that Elias chose a bride with a strong character.”
Holly bowed her head slightly.
But he didnae choose. I did.
To admit that, though, would be to admit that she’d practically proposed to the Laird, and she wasn’t ready to make such an embarrassing admission. Fergus would likely think she was desperate, and even though she was, she didn’t want anyone else to know or think that about her.
Fergus looked around the chamber and then scowled at the hearth. “Lazy fools,” he muttered. “Couldnae even light a fire for ye.”
He moved to the hearth and started picking up kindling and wood from the box next to it.
Holly’s eyes widened, and she rushed over to help. She couldn’t tell how old Fergus was, but he was definitely past his prime.
“Here, let me help,” she offered.
Holly bent over and picked up a few of the smaller wood pieces and added them to the pile he’d started in the hearth.
He looked at her and smiled. “Helpful and thoughtful, too,” he said with appreciation.
Fergus stepped back and let her finish the task, then took a seat on the plush chair closest to the hearth. Before long, Holly had a nice fire burning, and heat slowly started filling the room.
