Page 30 of An English Rose for the Highlander
And I will do whatever is necessary to keep it that way.
15
At the table in the Great Hall, Dominik sat alongside his man-at-arms, their conversation flowing easily enough, even as Dominik was endlessly distracted. His thoughts continued to return to the previous evening. He was still so surprised by the level of vulnerability Rose had demonstrated.
She had spoken so candidly with him in her chambers, after an afternoon and evening of working tirelessly for the clan, in the actual muck, for God’s sake. He couldn’t deny that he was impressed by his feisty new wife, or the fact that she’d proven herself a great deal to him.
“And where has yer head gone?” Oskar cut into his thoughts with his blunt words. “Ye’ve been half-listening to me this entire morning. I’ll say ye’ve nearly eaten the flowers on the table ye’re so distracted.”
Part of the reason Dominik liked Oskar so much was that he was open and honest about all things. His level of integrity andattention to detail were highly prized in a man-at-arms, and he was a dear friend.
Still, right at this moment, Dominik wanted to throttle him.
“It isnae anything for ye to be concerned about. I am only thinking on the clan’s harshness toward Rose.”
“Och, I see, are ye now? And I need nae be concerned about that?” Oskar cocked a brow, eyeing him in a knowing way that made Dominik’s temper flare, hot and quick in his blood.
“I daenae ken what ye’re looking at me like that for. She is the lady of this castle. It is me duty to ensure that the clan respects her, to quell any unrest.”
Oskar’s eyebrows rose to his hairline, and he hid a smirk behind a sip of his ale. When he returned his cup to the table, Dominik clenched his jaw, knowing that his friend was about to say something else that infuriated him.
“Och, of course. Yer duty. That is the most important thing. And I am certain that it is what ye mean. There could be nae other reason that ye might wish to ensure Rose is well at hand.”
“And what am I to take from that comment, eh?”
Shaking his head, Oskar held up his hands in surrender. “Nae a thing, me laird. I assure ye.”
“And ye are of nae help at all. I am working to endear Rose to the clan, to avoid unrest. Would ye care to offer yer keen insight?”
“I am nae the Laird…” Oskar continued to hold his hands up, and eventually Dominik shoved them down. “…But I will say that part of the problem is the fact that the clan doesnae ken Rose. She is a stranger to nearly everyone, and they havenae seen what she is really like.”
The insight was accurate, and Dominik’s head bobbed in a nod. “Aye. That is certainly part of the issue. If there were a way to?—”
His words stopped as the idea struck him as crystalline as a bolt of lightning. Dominik pushed away from the table in his seat and practically leaped out of his chair. Oskar shouted back at him, but he needed to meet with Rose and the staff at once. If his plan were to succeed, there would be much to prepare beforehand.
Still, as he navigated the familiar hallways of his keep, Dominik’s mind turned to what Oskar had been jesting about earlier.
Does he truly think there is more to me aims than simply to ensure the clan is looked after and the relationship with it and me wife is amiable? How foolish. I am merely doing me duty.
Dominik knew with absolute certainty that he was doing only what his position required of him. It was the same as his deadline to consummate their marriage. He cared for Rose only as he would for any member of his clan. She was admittedly attractive, but again, in that regard, it was not about wanting her that way. It was about upholding tradition that they could bothagree on and ensuring that in the future there would be an heir to care for the keep as he had.
There is undoubtedly nae a thing more. Me feelings are…They are centered on duty. I am sure of it.
Sighing, Dominik felt the weight of his thoughts in his mind. It was unclear who he was trying to convince so brutally of this truth. He was the Laird. He hardly needed to “convince” anyone of anything. Still, Dominik had been repeating that inner monologue for some time. Was it himself he was attempting to persuade? Of course, it could not be so. For if it were, that would mean…
In the middle of the corridor in front of him appeared Rose and her maid, Peggy. Dominik was at once shunted from his thoughts, forcibly because he would not dwell on all this nonsense, particularly not when his wife was standing before him. He met the pair a few more steps down the hall, and Peggy, much to Dominik’s confusion, physically flinched at the sight of him, reeling back.
“Apologies, ladies. I was merely approaching to inquire with me wife.” Peggy held her hand to her chest, and Dominik fought back a laugh, amused by the way she seemed torn between fully running in the opposite direction and remaining with her charge.
Dominik could respect that Peggy wished to do her duty, that she wanted to stay with Rose even though she was clearly upset, but it was ridiculous to be afraid of him. Dominik was the Laird ofthe keep, yes, but he was not some brute. He was not going to attack them or anything even remotely as foul.
“Good morrow, my laird. How can I be of assistance?”
Rose’s greeting turned Dominik’s attention to his wife, and he saw something strange in her countenance. For as open and vulnerable as she had been the previous evening, Rose appeared skittish and shy now. He felt an instant desire to reach out and take her hand; to ease any worry she might be holding regarding their conversation the night before. But it was not appropriate, nor was it a wise idea to do so, especially not in view of her maid.
Ye willnae be so rash, Dominik. No matter how ye crave to ease her concerns.
“Aye, me Lady, ye can. I have decided to hold acèilidh, a grand gathering to introduce ye to the clan properly. I believe that the event will allow the people to better get to ken ye and offer some reassurance that yer presence isnae related to the troubles with the livestock.”
