Page 47 of An English Rose for the Highlander
“Good day, Mr. Harrison. What is it you wish to discuss with me?”
Rose forced her spine to remain straight, telling herself that she must not allow this older man to intimidate her. But the reality was far from the brave persona she wore. Since their first meeting, Layton had been especially vocal about how he did not approve of her marriage to Dominik, and she’d caught him glaring at her from across the room during every meal in the Great Hall.
“Aye, well, that is the thing of it. I wish to discussyer presencehere with ye. There is much turmoil befalling the clan because of yer marriage to the Laird, and it threatens what the people have here.”
Rose swallowed hard, attempting to keep herself from balking at Layton’s unspoken suggestion before she gave him a moment to explain himself. He squinted when he met her eyes, stroking his chin as he bobbed his head in a subtle nod.
“I worry over the union, and it is nae solely meself that has concerns. Since yer arrival, there have been a number of…disasters that have affected the people. While the prospect of copper and a port is indeed valuable, it is nae enough if there will be sabotage of our livestock—or worse, a curse—and now the rumors of an abduction. As an Englishwoman yerself, ye must understand that a bit of gossip like that could ruin the Laird’s standing.”
Her bottom lip trembled, and Rose bit it on the inside to keep herself from entirely falling apart. Layton’s words were blunt and without misinterpretation. She could see the honest belief in his eyes, and even more so, the conviction that what he was doing was entirely necessary.
Worse, Rose knew he was not entirely wrong.
Dear God, help me. Do not fall to pieces, Rose.
Crestfallen, the Lady of the castle pulled herself straighter, forcing that rigidity to her spine so she would not look small. Dominik’s councilman had valid concerns, and, as this keep’s mistress and leader of the clan who called it home, it was her duty to hear him out and consider his words.
“I see. Thank you for bringing your concerns to my attention. I—” Rose’s voice nearly cracked, but she righted herself. “I will take them into serious consideration.”
Layton nodded, his squinting stare not leaving hers. “Then ye see the truth behind what I have said. Ye ken well enough that Dominik’s reputation and ability to do business with England are dependent on what the officials say of yer arrangement. I wish only to protect this clan, ye see. To protecthim.”
“Of course.” Rose forced herself to nod, knowing that if this was one of his most prominent councilmen’s opinions, it was likely all of theirs. “I assure you that I do not take this situation lightly. I will do whatever is deemed necessary to ensure the stability of the clan.”
While Layton’s brows lifted at that, Rose could not bring herself to stand in front of him a moment longer. She nodded, curtseying again because Rose simply moved through rote, and hurried to her chambers.
Lost in her thoughts, Rose sat there for an indeterminate amount of time before a knock landed on her door. She could not bring herself to stand, so she simply called out, “Come in.”
Dominik appeared, Rose noticing him in the reflection of her mirror. His mouth was open to speak, but as soon as he met her eyes in the glass, he stopped. Approaching her in hurried steps, Dominik grabbed hold of Rose’s shoulders and spun her around in the seat.
“Ye look bloody upset, lass. What has happened?”
She stared up into those magnificent green eyes of his and thought about keeping everything to herself. But where was the use in that? Reality would find him eventually. It was better to simply lay it all out now.
“I spoke with Layton Harrison earlier. He…had much to say.”
“Oh?” Dominik knelt on the floor in front of her, holding Rose’s hands. He did not move as she regaled him with the honest if tactless words his councilman had shared. With each word she uttered, Rose watched Dominik’s expression grow darker and darker, until he burst up from the floor and spun on his heel toward the door.
“I’ll kill him.”
The Laird sped to the exit, and Rose leaped up from her seat, rushing after him to grab her husband’s arm. Had she not seen it herself, Rose would have insisted that Dominik was being facetious. He would not do actual harm to a member of his clan, let alone a council member, and yet, seeing the look of fury in his eyes told Rose that he would indeed honor his pledge if she let him leave.
“Stop! You mustn’t. Mr. Harrison offered valuable insight.” Dominik jerked as he turned to face her, his brows down deep over his eyes. “His concerns are valid. Can you honestly say that you have not had them yourself?”
“Rose,” Dominik shook his head, not budging from his position, “I willnae have?—”
“I am the Lady of this keep as of now, and it is mydutyto listen to the concerns of every single member of our clan. Nothing Layton Harrison said was a lie or some exaggerated fabrication. Your reputation and abilities are in danger thanks to whoever spread the rumor about the abduction. There is nothing I can do to find whoever it was; we both know that. So, we must consider how to handle this moving forward.”
Dominik glared, unspeaking, and Rose knew in her heart that the man could not argue with her. He saw the truth in her words as much as she had heard them in Layton’s. Releasing his arm, Rose expected her husband to storm out of her chambers,fuming mad, to find a drink or fight, which she silently prayed he would not do.
Still, he managed to surprise her again by remaining there. After a moment, he shook his head, closing his eyes in a brief pause before looking at her again.
“Enough with duty,” he growled, his expression severe and serious. “We will prepare for tomorrow’s festivities. We will be attending the fair with Miss Wood. I have asked her to go with us, and she agreed.”
“Dominik, I thought that?—”
“No. That is the way of it.” Her husband’s demeanor brooked no arguments. “Tomorrow, all talk of duty is forbidden. We will travel to the fair with our friend, and that is that.”
Meeting her eyes, Dominik allowed the tiniest slip of emotion to show through his stare, a gleaming hint of desire to attend the fair with her. Rose’s heart fluttered against her rib cage, and despite everything, despite the fact that so much was at stake, she allowed herself to be charmed.
