Page 69 of Captured By the Cruel Highlander
Mrs. Young was a formidable woman, and she and Emily got on like a house on fire. She was sensible, forthright, and not intimidated by anyone, ruling her family with an iron fist. It was clear that her sons and daughters respected her enormously.
There was another set of twin boys inside the house and a two-year-old girl that Mr. Young doted on. She was now sitting on his lap, chewing happily on some cake.
“And how far away would the new dwellings be?” Mrs. Young was asking Lucas.
“It would be a short distance to the town and close to a large loch on the outskirts of the Laird’s castle. All of the villagers are welcome to fish in it and swim there.”
Mrs. Young had asked a great number of questions. Emily had been concerned that Lucas might not have the answers, but the councilman had come prepared.
The twin boys were keen to know more about the cottages’ surrounding area, and after explaining all of the particulars, the whole family was waiting for Mrs. Young’s verdict. With five children and a farm to relocate, moving them was not a small task.
“And ye say the state of the cottages isnae good?” Mrs. Young asked.
“Nae at present,” Lucas replied. “But we would repair them for ye, and the land ye’d be usin’ isnae occupied by anyone else. Ye’d have almost a third more space for yer animals, and ye’d be a twenty-minute walk from the castle.”
Mrs. Young gave her husband a small smile, then sat back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. “How long?”
“Three weeks to do the repairs, another week to move ye,” Lucas replied. “I would say less, but we can keep ye informed.”
“Ye think we can drive the sheep that far?” she asked the two boys, and they both nodded enthusiastically. It was clear the family was desperate to get away from their current situation.
It was not only the roof that had been damaged, but their lands had also been vandalized, and several of their crops had been burned. It was a horrible predicament for people who had only ever been protecting themselves.
“Do we have a deal?” Emily asked.
But before anyone could reply, there was the sound of thundering hooves outside.
In an instant, both boys drew dirks from their sheaths and leaped to their feet, running outside. Their father followed them as the family held their breath, listening for trouble.
Emily swallowed, rounding the table and walking to the doorway as Mr. Young and his sons headed outside. She wondered if the MacPherson villagers had returned, but as soon as the men left the house, they relaxed considerably.
Emily knew at that moment just who had arrived, and she felt a fresh rush of nerves. She emerged just as Adam was dismounting from his horse, his expression like thunder.
I will never get used to how impressive he looks.
He was just as he had been on the day of her wedding, striding forward as though he had every right to be there, his gaze fixed on her like he might claim her where she stood.
“Do ye have any idea how dangerous this was?” Adam asked instantly, seemingly unaware of their audience. “Ye ken that ye arenae safe outside the castle.”
She lifted her chin. “I came to meet with the Young family and see what their requests were.”
Adam grabbed her arm and pulled her to the side as her breath hitched in her chest. “And who gave ye permission to do that?” he growled.
“Ye did,” came a voice from the house.
Mrs. Young stepped out and went to stand in front of her family, glaring at him angrily.
“We have come to see ye three times, M’Laird, and ye havenae been able to see us. Yer betrothed has made the journey, offered us a solution, and been very polite about it.”
Adam took a few seconds to gather himself and then stood to his full height, releasing Emily’s arm.
Dreading what would come next, Emily braced herself for him to begin putting Mrs. Young in her place. It was bold, not to say foolish, for her to speak to the Laird in such a way.
But then Adam shocked them all.
He bowed low and took a step toward Mrs. Young. “Ye are right,” he said coolly. “I tell ye solemnly, Mrs. Young, I didnae ken of yer requests until a few days ago. Lucas brought them to me, but I was busy with another matter. I would have seen ye when ye first made the journey if I had kenned of yer presence—believe me.”
Mrs. Young had the sense to relax her aggressive stance and nodded as she took a step back to stand beside her husband. “Aye, Lady Emily explained as much while she was eatin’ all of me cake. We’ve already found a solution.”
