Page 37 of My Scarred Laird
Islay smiled, “Let me get some for ye. It will only take a second.”
Callum looked down at her, “I will accompany ye.”
She grinned, “It will make the trip easier for certain with the big strappin’ man such as ye carryin’ the trunks down.”
Callum laughed, and the men around them chuckled, and Islay turned, walking into the keep, but Callum got caught up for a second, but she wasn’t worried.
That is until she got up to hallway that led to her chambers, and Talitha came out of nowhere, slapping her across the face, making her stop in shock and hold her face as it stung.
Talitha raised her hand again and Islay raised her arm to block the next blow, but Talitha’s arm was stopped short by a pissed off Laird.
Islay watched as Callum practically threw Talitha’s arm to the side, and he growled at her, “How dare ye strike the lady of the keep? I told ye that she was ta be treated with the utmost respect, and this is how ye think ye should treat her? I told ye what would happen if ye didna respect her or me.”
Islay watched as Gemma hurried up to them, “Laird, I apologize for her behaviour. It is sinful that she acts this way.”
Callum glared down at both of them, and Talitha glared back, “She canna be the lady of the keep. She isna even from this clan.”
“Why does tha’ matter? Most Laird’s find wives outside of their clan. It helps ta form alliances and ta keep the bloodlines from crossing. Ye canna wish ta marry me Talitha. Ye are my cousin’s daughter. The English may keep the blood pure by marryin’ family, but I will no’. Or did ye forget that detail?”
Talitha shook her head, “I didna, but,” she stopped short when Callum held his hand up, “Let me ask ye something before ye are banished from this keep.”
Talitha lifted her chin, and narrowed her eyes at him, “What?”
Callum sucked in a breath, “Can ye tell me what gave ye an indication tha’ ye might be the lady of the keep one day? Ye doona ken the first thing abou’ running a keep like this one.”
Talitha lost a little bit of her bravado, and looked toward her mother, who blustered, “Well, um, ye see Laird, when ye hadna found a wife, we just assumed tha’ ye were goin’ ta pick someone from the clan. Tha’ Talitha would be yer choice because she has lived here most of her life and she is, as you said, yer cousins daughter. If ye or Culloden died, Angus could possibly be Laird. It’s in the succession rules.”
Callum shook his head, “There are a few people who would get the position first before Angus would even be considered. And let me ask ye something else. Since ye have lived here most of your life, ye can tell me what the names are of the chamber maids that work on yer rooms are.”
Talitha hesitated and Gemma swallowed, “Why, their names are um, I mean, they are Annis and Ella. Or they were until tha’ traitor took over.”
Callum shook his head, “Nay. That isna their names. The maids who help take care of ye are Iona and Coria. And Islay until now. The fac’ tha’ ye canna even tell me the names of the maids who help ta care for ye show me exactly wha’ I need ta ken,” he looked at Gemma, then back to Talitha, shaking his head, “Ta see how ye believe this girl can run this keep is laughable. Ye are sorely mistaken in believin’ I would want anyone but the lass at my side. No’ only would I no’ have chosen someone from within the clan ta marry, I wouldna have chosen a child tha’ canna even remember the names of the maids who get ye dressed and bring ye breakfast in bed.”
Talitha started to argue, but Callum held up his hand, “Have ye no’ heard the legend of my family Gemma? Tha’ the men ken who they are meant ta marry and tha’ she is the only woman for him? Well, it just so happens tha’ tha’ woman is Islay. I kenned it from the start.”
Gemma’s jaw dropped open, “But ye said she wasna the one ye were supposed ta marry.”
“Aye, ye are correct. She isna the one I was supposed ta marry, and I would have married her sister, but I wouldna have touched her. I would have lived a life alone, lettin’ her find her own way, but I would have done it for the clan. Because I signed a contract with her father. I said that earlier. I doona get why ye have’na listened ta a word I said.”
Talitha glared at him once more, “I may no’ ken the names of my maids, but I ken about the clan. More than she kens.”
Islay stepped forward, “No, ye doona. I have watched ye all for a long time. I ken the maids, the scullery maids, the stablehands, and mostly everyone in between. I also ken all about running a keep. My mother and father were the Laird and Lady of Cadleigh Keep. I ken how ta run a castle like Ledyford.”
Callum looked over at Talitha and Gemma, “Regardless if she can or canna run a keep, she is ta be my wife. No’ a spoiled, entitled girl like ye. Ye canna even stomach the though’ of being with me, I heard tha’ at least.”
Talitha looked down at the ground, and Callum let out a soft sigh, “I ken this is hard for ye. Tha’ ye doona understand why I would choose an outsider, but this woman at my side is the woman I am meant ta be with. Ye will find the man for ye one day. I ken ye doona care ta listen ta my words, but ye need ta hear them now. Ye will apologize ta the lady, or ye and your mother will be kicked out of the keep. Your father may not be here ta help ye right now, and ye may have wished he had been.”
Talitha lifted her chin, “He isna here because he is doing what ye bid him ta do.”
Callum nodded, “Aye. He needed ta pull his weight around here. So, he went off with some of my men ta find more land for all of us ta live on.”
Talitha sneered, “He isna yer slave.”
Callum reared back in shock, “Is tha’ truly what ye believe of me? Tha’ I would use men as my slaves?”
Talitha glared at him and when Callum’s shoulders dropped, she went to step forward, but Roberta came up the stairs faster than a woman of her age normally could.
“Now ye listen here! Our Laird is the best Laird in the Highlands. I have seen other clans that havena benefited like ours has and it’s all because of Callum, his men and the hard work that Callum puts in every single day ta keep ye settled, safe and happy. Ye havena had ta go hungry, or have your children beg for food. Ye havena had ta do anythin’ but get your hair done, wear the best dresses, and spend your days sewing a picture on a pillow. If ye kenned what everyone else had ta go through in different clans ye would treat our Laird with nothin’ but the respect, he deserves.”
