Page 38 of My Scarred Laird
Islay’s eyes went wide, and Talitha took a step back, and Callum stood straight, and Roberta went on, “Now the Laird has given ye a warnin’ and ye in all of yer glory seemed ta have forgotten it. Ye arena the Laird, the Lady of the keep, or anyone important ta anyone but yerself.”
Talitha tried to glare at Roberta, but she walked right up to Talitha, striking her across the face with a slap so loud everyone went silent.
Talitha gasped, grabbing her face and yelling, “Mother!”
Roberta whirled on Gemma, pointing in her face, “I have had enough of ye both. Ye act like ye run this keep. But ye both havena lifted a single finger ever. Ye thought ye wanted ta become more, but ye canna even do anything tha' would show ye are capable of being the lady of the keep. I'm ashamed of ye both. Yer father would be ashamed of how ye act young lady.”
Talitha got over her shock quickly, “My father is the one who told me I was ta be the lady of the keep.”
Islay looked at Callum, forgetting that detail and wishing she had told him, when she saw that his face showed his shock, then his confusion, “Wha’? He is one of my advisors and kenned that I signed a contract with the Brodie’s.”
Talitha shrugged, “He just told me tha’ I was ta be the lady of the keep. But tha’ ye werena necessarily going ta be the Laird.”
Callum went still, and then looked at Gemma, who wouldn’t meet his eyes. “What the bloody hell is she talkin’ abou’?”
Gemma cleared her throat, looking away from Callum, and wringing her hands together.
“I doona ken.”
“Doona lie ta me!”
Islay jumped at the harsh tone of Callum’s words, at how biting it sounded.
Gemma jumped as well, and Roberta’s eyes narrowed to slits, as Gemma stammered a nonresponse.
Callum stalked forward; “Wha’ is he up ta Gemma? He has been in my counsel for a long time because he was trustworthy and here ye are telling me he isna?”
Gemma swallowed hard, her face conflicted, “Ye werena meant ta find out.”
Islay sucked in a breath when Callum gritted out, “Find out what?”
He enunciated each word and Gemma looked over at Talitha and then back up at Callum who towered over her, “Tha’ he wishes ta be rid of ye. He has been meeting with another Laird ta take over your seat. Ta put someone else in your place.”
Callum lifted his bad hand, running it through his hair, and swore.
He turned back to Roberta, “Lock them in their room. They arena ta leave the keep.”
Roberta ushered the women to their room, pulling out a key set, and making sure the women were both secure.
Islay rushed over to Callum who was shaking, holding his head.
“Come ta my room right now. Ye need medicants for your head, or ye will be in pain.”
Callum nodded, and she rushed to her quarters, ushering him to sit in a chair next to her bed.
She hurried to mix a few things into a cup, then poured in some water.
She handed Callum the cup, and he downed the entire thing, wincing at the taste.
He sat back in the chair, squeezing his eyes shut and Islay walked over to him, rubbing his temples softly, making him moan.
“Why didna I see his betrayal?” She heard him ask quietly, as if he were talking to himself.
“Ye see the good in people. It’s a big reason I fell in love with ye. Even after people treat ye badly, ye are still just so kind.”
Callum opened his eyes, looking up at her, “I wish tha’ were true. I just canna believe he would betray me like tha’. I wonder how deep it goes?”
Islay’s heart broke for him, “We should find out. I heard Talitha say as much when I tended ta her rooms. I wish I had told ye, but after the assassin, I forgo’. I apologize Callum.”
