Page 60 of Captured By the Cruel Highlander
Adam scowled and stormed away from him, resolving to focus on the business of the day and keep his mind off Emily for as long as possible.
Donal Barclay came to his study a little time later with a long list of issues for him to review. Hearing of all the matters that had been kept from him by his mother did nothing to improve his mood.
“I dinnae appreciate nae bein’ informed of the things that are effectin’ me own people,” Adam thundered as Barclay stood impassively before his desk.
“Her Ladyship has been dealin’ with them until now and felt ye should be made aware.”
“And who gave her authority to do that?”
“Yer faither, M’Laird.”
“Well, I am the Laird now, and she doesnae need to be responsible for anythin’. Is that clear?”
“Aye, M’Laird.”
Adam looked over the items on his desk with narrowed eyes. He was going to have to speak to his mother again to get his point across. There were almost a dozen things she had still been seeing to without his knowledge.
She was doing a commendable job, but he still needed to know what was happening in his clan.
“I can hear ye shoutin’ from down the corridor, man,” came an amused voice from the door. “What has ye in such a foul temper?”
Doughall kicked the door open without knocking, leaning against the frame as though he owned the whole castle. He was eating an oatcake he must have swiped from the kitchens. The man was always hungry.
“Ye may go, Barclay. Is there anythin’ else me maither has been seein’ to?”
“Nay,” Barclay said stiffly before he stalked out.
His attitude, tone, and general demeanor were setting Adam’s teeth on edge, and he eyed the councilman’s back as Doughall watched him depart.
“Want me to stab him in the thigh?” Doughall offered without any note of humor. “Might drive the stick from his backside.”
Adam sighed. “Am I bein’ unreasonable?”
“In life or today?” Doughall asked, pushing off the wall and coming into the room.
“About me maither.”
“Ye ken better than anyone what she was like with yer faither,” Dougall said sagely. “Doesnae sound like she’s learned her lesson with all of this.” He picked up one of the papers and scanned it casually, but his eyes were thoughtful. “Laura did go missin’. Do ye think yer maither was tryin’ to give ye space to find her?”
Adam rubbed a hand over his face and picked up the papers, looking through them more carefully. A few disputes between farmers had been dealt with in good time, and many financial squabbles had required compromise to resolve. His mother had handled everything admirably.
“She’d be a good laird if she was given the chance.”
Emily’s words echoed in his mind, and Adam had to admit that she was right. His mother was skilled in diplomacy. Despite her propensity to get involved in issues that didn’t concern her, shehadfinally brought all of this to his attention.He would have preferred that she came herself instead of sending Barclay, but he knew that he hadn’t exactly been approachable lately. The last few weeks had been taken up with concern for his sister or preoccupation with his infuriating bride-to-be.
Emily’s absence grated on his nerves. He wanted to know what she was up to. He wanted to tell her what to do and watch her comply. He wanted to feel her body next to his again and hold her thighs in his hands as he?—
“Right, enough of this,” Doughall said decisively, grabbing the papers from him and throwing them into a disordered pile on a nearby chair. “Ye have been workin’ all mornin’, and ye need a break.”
“It’s ten o’clock, man!” Adam protested.
“Aye, and I’m bored. I want to see if it was a fluke or whether I can beat ye at archery like I thought. I’ve asked them to set up the range again, and we can compare our skills.”
Adam rolled his eyes at him. “Do ye nae have a clan yerself? What do ye think I do all day? I cannae just practice archery whenever the urge strikes me.”
“Aye, I have a clan, and I have people to run it for me while I’m away. If ye are scared to compete against me, just say it.”
“I am nothin’ of the kind,” Adam protested.
