Page 29 of The Laird's Unwanted Wife
Eventually, the steps smoothed out into a floor, the new room surrounded by stacks of boxes, drying herbs, and other preserves for the harsh winter to come. A distinctivethunkof metal striking wood rang out, and Aileen followed the sound quite easily, holding her candle out to illuminate the corner of the room.
It wasn’t entirely necessary, as a handful of candles were already lit on a nearby table. Orange flecks of light shimmered across the polished surface of an axe, and as Gerald’s outline swung the weapon clean through a slab of wood, Aileen found herself staring in awe.
He’d long since removed his wedding garb, opting for a simple pair of trousers, boots, and a linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His muscles flexed as he reached for another log to chop, and Aileen wondered how a kiss would taste with the scent of pine lingering in the air around them.
What am I thinking? This isnae the time for that!
“Couldnae sleep?” Gerald asked, his attention remaining on the chopping block as he adjusted the log.
Aileen blinked, nervously straightening the hem of her nightdress. Though she soon felt foolish for doing so, as he stillhadn’t looked her way, already cleaving through the log with his axe. What did it matter if she looked unruly?
“Ye held yerself well against that councilman,” Gerald grunted, readjusting the recently split log against the chopping block.
“Yer presence certainly helped,” Aileen admitted sheepishly.
Gerald nodded, swinging his arm back as the log split in two and clattered to the ground. “I’m glad. It would nae look good if the new Lady of MacLiddel had nae a spine to speak of.”
A spark of anger filled Aileen’s chest, chasing the chill in the air immediately away. “That’s all that really matters to ye? Appearances?”
Again, Gerald nodded.
“Ye really meant it, then.” Aileen’s stomach churned, venom dripping between her words as she spat them out his way. “Ye daenae plan to have anything to do with me after we were wed.”
Gerald seemingly ignored her, reaching across toward the pile of uncut logs for another piece.
“Gerald.” Aileen’s gaze narrowed, crossing the room quickly as she suddenly grasped the same log his hand went for. His eyes flashed, staring into hers like a wolf whose meal had been interrupted. Much to her surprise, it didn’t scare her as much as it should have.
“Ye’re nae making this easy,” he began.
“Good! Because ye cannae simply ignore me like ye hoped.” Aileen’s mind raced, realizing how close their hands were to touching.
Focus, Aileen. This isnae the time.
“We’re married, Gerald. A laird and lady of two clans that are still trying to figure out how to come together. We never could have simply lived separate lives.”
“The clans are me problem to solve,” Gerald said, though he made no move to yank the log out of Aileen’s grasp. The axe remained hanging at his side, and Aileen wondered how quickly he could raise it to her neck. She swallowed nervously, keeping her nerves in check as she continued to speak.
“Gerald, I ken ye didnae wish for a wife?—”
“Do ye ken?” Gerald asked snappishly. “Because ye seem awful keen on pushin’ me otherwise.”
“But ye painted the situation far too simply!” Aileen insisted. “I cannae simply sit and watch as ye rule on yer own. Me kin will become suspicious. We’ll all be back where we were before, without an ounce of trust between us.”
“Then they’ll be dealt with as Alistair was.”
“Ye cannae simply ostracize any man ye daenae like!” Aileen’s grasp tightened around the log, her chest burning with indignation. “If ye want to bring MacGunn under yer banner, ye cannae isolate them like ye did tonight.”
“Then next time a man speaks through ye, I willane bother humanizing ye!”
Aileen’s shoulders stiffened. She watched as Gerald’s own posture grew rigid, the flames of candlelight dancing behind his eyes like a forest set ablaze. Her grasp loosened, and Gerald seized the wooden log from her hands, hurling it to the ground with a loud clatter that made her jump.
He stared long and hard at her, and for a moment, Aileen could see his mind racing behind his fury. Then, suddenly, he turned and slammed the axe into the chopping block, splitting the wood as sharp cracks splintered across its surface.
“I made meself clear when we entered this contract,” Gerald hissed dangerously. “I warned ye that this wouldnae be a proper relationship. And yet, ye insist on makin’ this more than it should be.”
But he was the one who offered his home to her. Who treated Mollie as if she were his own daughter. Who allowed Bannock to run about the castle, who allowed her within his study, and whoofferedto teach her woodcarving. Aileen’s hands trembled at her side, balling into fists that clutched her growing frustrations.
Her gaze swiveled back to the chopped pieces of wood, the question bubbling up her throat and spat out before she could think it through. “I daenae have the luxury of simply cuttin’ through obstacles with such brutality. I cannae say one thing and do something opposin’ to it. Ihadnay say over any aspect of me life until I came to this keep.”
