Page 18 of Captured By the Cruel Highlander
The repetitive motion helped to rearrange his scattered thoughts, and soon, he was lost in the movement, his breathing evening out.
Absorbed by his task for some minutes, he only noticed a shadow ahead of him as a shape shifted in the gloom.
“I swear ye’re a ghost, man. How do ye still manage to sneak up on me after all these years?”
Theodore’s slim frame emerged from the darkness and approached. His elegant fingers rested on his belt as he surveyed his master with a familiar, steady gaze. He always seemed more like a politician than a man-at-arms. But looks could be deceiving.
He was a vicious fighter.
“I met yer bride,” he said softly, almost thoughtfully.
Adam glanced up at him, then returned to his work. “Aye.”
“She’s the woman Orkney had chosen to marry, then?”
“Aye.”
“Did it go smoothly?”
“Nae in the slightest. But she’s here now.”
“She’s a bonnie lass.”
“She’s a means to an end,” Adam grunted.
His fingers flew over the leather more forcefully, smoothing the steel in his hands until he could almost see the edge sharpen before his eyes.
This one for his throat, the dirk for his belly.
“Her Ladyship said there was a letter from yer sister.”
Adam leaned back and frowned at him. “I am out here for the quiet.”
Theodore was quite unmoved. “And I am out here to hear yer orders, M’Laird.”
Adam bent over the strop and returned to his task, irritated by his befuddled mind and uncertain how to proceed. But he did know one thing, at least—he needed reinforcements.
“Send word to MacGordon,” he muttered.
He knew that Doughall would come when called. He was the closest friend Adam had, and a warrior himself. There was little they would not do for one another.
Adam could not help a small smile as he imagined Doughall’s reaction to his little escapade that morning. His friend would disapprove of knowingly poking a wolf in the eye, but James Stewart had to pay.
Adam looked up to find Theodore watching him expectantly. “Did ye nae hear me?” he said angrily.
“Aye. I heard ye.”
“Well, get to it, man.”
“Do ye feel ye could give me a bit more information? ‘Send word to MacGordon’ is mighty vague.”
“Stop bein’ a bampot.”
“Speak clearly.”
Adam growled at him, but his temper never ruffled Theodore. It was part of the reason they worked so well together. Adam often let his anger rule him. He would make snap decisions on a whim.
Theodore would then gently explain to him that they could try a different path. It had been his man-at-arms who had convinced him that injuring Stewart’s bride might not help his cause.
