Page 7 of My Scarred Laird
The Brodie land to the east of them seemed just the right place to claim. The Laird of the Brodie clan had met with him a few months back and allied their clans with marriage. His to a lass named Daracha, and Culloden’s to a lass named Islay.
He had heard many men talk of how the clan was falling into disrepair and that it wouldn’t be able to come back on its own. Even with the alliance.
But that could be just a rumor. Callum sent Culloden to find out. He wanted to make certain the keep and the people there were even worth saving, and the only person to do that was Culloden.
Right after Culloden left, Ewan, the castle steward told him about a new woman who had come to work as a maid. Callum wished to meet with her, to make certain she was finding it a lovely place to live, but he was much too busy now, and he knew that meeting her would have to wait.
He always wanted to speak to the new members of their clan. And this girl was no exception.
His steward came into his chambers, holding a book in his hand.
“Laird, there is a discrepancy in the books again.”
He took the book, knowing that he needed to find out why the books were always off.
Ewan handed him the book and Callum lit another candle on the desk and rubbed his eyes.
He had been reading this entire afternoon, and now that it was getting dark out, he needed a break, but couldn’t take one.
He read through the ledgers, trying to find out what made the books so wrong when a knock sounded on the door again.
“Laird?”
“Aye, come in Ewan. How may I help ye?”
The man came back in, “I apologize, Laird, ta bother ye, the woman will nae come ta meet with ye yet. She said she has ta much work ta do, and doesna have the time. She has also heard the rumors that have been spread.”
Callum sighed, “Those rumors. Fook. I shall ne’er hear the end o’ those rumors. Do ye ken if she kens who ta read?”
Ewan shrugged, “I do nae ken. I apologize Laird.”
Callum let out a huff, “If I write her a letter, will ye see if she can read it? And if she cannae, will ye read it ta her?”
Ewan nodded, “Aye.”
Callum pulled out a sheet of vellum, and wrote the new woman a quick note, explaining that the rumors she heard about him weren’t true and that he wasn’t some demon that stayed locked away in a tower, taking the young virgin women of the towns as a sacrifice to keep him sated. That rumor was new, and he wished he knew where it came from. It bothered him that new rumors seemed to pop up overnight and nothing he did helped to make them cease.
He wanted to laugh at that. Some of the women of his clan weren’t exactly kind to him behind his back, but to his face, it was a different story.
He was their Laird and demanded respect because of that, but none would have graced his bed, even if he wanted them to.
Not with his scarred face and body.
He rolled his eyes at the thought of taking a virgin sacrifice. What a load of rot.
He gave the letter to Ewan after using some wax to seal it.
Then the man left, and Callum got back to the books.
He found the discrepancy and set about fixing it.
Ewan came back in with a tray of supper for him, knowing he didn’t like eating with the clan.
Even though they knew about his scars, he just didn’t feel comfortable with their stares. He would eat with the clan when Culloden was there though.
His brother never let anyone give him strange looks.
Callum didn’t always eat carefully and spilled more often than not.
