Page 35 of My Scarred Laird
“I have called ye all here ta make a few announcements.”
Some of the people started whispering and rolling their eyes, and Islay was angry.
But Callum slammed his fist that wasn’t holding hers on the table so hard that the plates, cups and cutlery rattled.
“Silence!”
Everyone in the room went completely silent and Callum glared at them, “I have been patient with ye, but no longer. I have been yer laird for a long time, I have gone ta battle for ye, and won, I have gained ye riches and land for us all to live on, and yet ye still doona have the respect for me that is due ta me. All because of the way I look. All because ye believe me ta be cursed. I assure ye, I am naught more than a flesh and blood man. I am no’ a demon, nor am I possessed.”
He glared around the room, “Aye, I have heard all the rumors. And believe me, I doona wish ta hear more. I have had enough. I have been lenient, but nay longer. I am tired of being stared at whilst I eat. I am tired of walking inta a room and it goes silent as if ye are tae scared of me ta speak. No longer. I have been tae scared ta stand up for my own self, and that stops now. I am yer Laird. From now on, ye treat me with the respect I am due, or ye can leave. I swear ta ye, I am not a bad man. I am no’ evil, nor am I possessed. I am simply Callum. I wish for ye ta be able ta speak in my presence and for ye ta come ta me if ye have problems. I will listen ta them all. It is what I am here for. I ken ye have gone ta Culloden in the past, but he isna’ yer laird, I am.”
Islay looked around and saw the people look at each other, and the warriors in the back started to clap.
She looked up in shock and Callum stood to his full height, and Egan stepped forward, “Our Laird has spoken. Yer warriors are behind ye. We always have been. We follow where our Laird leads. He hasna’ led us astray yet.”
The other warriors called out, “STEWART!”
They went silent again and Callum said, “I also have one more announcement ta make.”
He smiled over at her, “I am ta wed Islay Brodie in a fortnight. She has upheld her father’s wish ta wed his daughter ta the Laird of the Stewart clan and she stands before ye today. This is she.”
One of the girls stood, the one Islay recognized as the girl who believed herself to be the next lady of the keep.
“Tis unfair! She isna’ even the right one! And she has lied ta ye! She has worked in the keep as a mere chambermaid!”
Callum looked over at Islay, then back to the girl. “I ken all of that. Islay’s sister is a lot like all of ye. She tae believed in the rumors that swirled abou’ and yet, her sister took her place. She isna afraid of me. She came ta see abou’ the people she is ta be the lady of. She wanted ta meet all of ye. And she has done so. She has listened ta what ye have ta say about me and hasna’ believed any of the rumors. That is why she is ta be my wife. If any of ye have an issue with that, then I would keep it ta myself. She is mine and I willna give her up.”
The girl sat back down, glaring at her the entire way and people started to talk again.
Callum slammed his fist down on the table again, “I am no’ through. Ye will be silent until I am.”
Everyone went silent again, and Callum shook his head, “It seems as if I havena made myself clear. As Laird, I have spoken. Islay Brodie is ta be my wife and the Lady of this keep. I love her. She isna just a contract ta me, though I signed one with her father, and I will uphold my end. No’ because of tha’, but because Iloveher. She is my entire soul. The reason I take a breath in my lungs. Ye will respect her. She willna demand it, but I will.”
The girl looked like she ate something sour, and Callum raised a brow, until once more Egan stepped forward, “Tae our new lady of the keep!”
The warriors all yelled, “Tae the lady of the keep!”
Callum grinned, and she stepped a little closer to him as the warriors then bowed to her, one of their hand over their heart, their hand in a fist.
She covered her mouth with her hand for a second, and felt Callum squeeze the opposite hand.
She looked over at him, and he was smirking, “See? The lady of the keep.”
He turned back to his people, “My men have accepted her as the lady, and ye all need ta as well. If ye canna, then ye will have ta find a new home. This is my law. My word and my vow that I willna allow any more rumors, whispers or things said abou’ me behind my back. Nor tha’ of the lady. I willna sit quietly any longer, I will have the respect of my people. With my lady at my side, we will see ta it that ye have a good life. The good life ye have had will stay if ye show me the respect as yer Laird. This is beyond contestation.”
A few of the nobles seemed to want to argue, but Callum lifted his chin, looking down at them all.
“Is there anyone who wishes ta argue?”
When no one spoke, Callum pulled Islay against him, and she melted into his side.
He gently lifted one finger to place it under her chin, and tilted her head up so he could place a kiss on her lips.
His warriors let out hoots and hollers while he kissed her, and when they broke apart, there was an outraged cry of anger, and then she was gone.
Islay watched as her mother rose, following after her, and running out of the room.
Callum looked down at her in confusion, and Islay quickly told him that girl wanted to marry him, just for the status alone.
