Chapter 16
16
“ Y e’ll nae take me alive.”
Astrid’s body froze as if every ounce of warmth drained out of her in an instant. She scrambled down the hallway and burst through the door. Her eyes widened as she spotted Tavish in the corner, mustering every ounce of strength he possessed to wield his dirk.
“Tavish, ye put that down before ye lob off yer foot,” Alba ordered calmly, clearly unaffected by the scene unfolding before her. “Astrid? What… That daft man—I asked him to send for Thomas.”
“I can help,” Astrid offered as Alba motioned for the maid there to come closer.
The poor girl kept one eye on Tavish as he brandished his blade at her.
“Get Thomas. Tell him that his faither is in one of his moods again. But dinnae alert the rest of the castle, understand?” Alba instructed.
“I can help, though,” Astrid offered again as she hunted for a weapon of her own.
If only the Laird hadn’t confiscated her dirk, she’d have already had this handled. But she didn’t have her dirk with her. Nor was there any other weapon in the room.
“And how did he get his hands on a weapon in the first place?”
“It was under the mattress,” Alba explained. “We’ve had it there since the night of our wedding.”
“How do ye ken that? Unless ye’re a spy,” Tavish hissed as he started toward Alba.
Without thinking about her own safety, Astrid stepped before him, her arms held out.
“Me love,” she cooed, “ye’ve saved me. Please, take me far away from here and dinnae let me see this foul place again.”
“Alba? Is it… Ye’ve never aged a day,” Tavish breathed as he lowered the dirk until it slipped through his trembling fingers. He stepped closer to her, bewilderment flickering in his eyes.
“Come,” Astrid urged, glancing over at Alba. There was no hiding the tears pooling in the older woman’s eyes as Astrid lured Tavish back to the bed. “Rest now. Ye’ve had a very busy day.”
“I am a bit tired,” Tavish admitted as she heard the thunderous footsteps hurrying down the hallway.
There was no doubt the Laird was on his way. The urge to prolong the moment niggled at Astrid. She couldn’t help but think that Tavish would be riled up once again if he saw his son armed to the teeth and ready to fight.
“Then ye should rest,” she cooed as Alba darted toward the door to intercept the Laird.
Tavish reached out a hand to cup her face and gave her the biggest smile she’d ever seen. How strange it was to see him so coherent and alive. But Astrid knew it was the final push before the farewell.
“I’ve sent for yer son,” Alba said. “He’s come to honor ye, Me Laird.”
Astrid eased away from Tavish and stepped up to the Laird’s side as Alba went back to the bed. She stood in the corner, watching.
“Faither, how do ye fare? It’s been months since ye’ve spoken,” the Laird said.
His voice was laced with joy that Astrid had yet to sense. She didn’t have the heart to tell him how fleeting the moment would be.
“Right as rain,” Tavish answered as he extended his hand toward his son.
Astrid stepped back, feeling like an intruder.
The hallway was quiet save for the patter of her footsteps as she made her way to her chambers. She tried not to let the heaviness of the situation linger too long on her shoulders. It wasn’t like she was part of the family. She’d only been married to the Laird for a spell—not even enough time to remember the names of the servants.
“Astrid.” Her name bounced off the walls like the sound of metal clashing against metal.
She froze, refusing to turn around.
“How?” the Laird asked.
His voice was inquisitive yet soft. So much softer than she’d ever heard it before. It was luring and inviting her to yield to him.
She held her breath as she glanced over her shoulder. She blinked, stunned that it wasn’t the Laird who stood before her, but a boy, curious and hopeful with eyes ablaze with wonder.
“How did ye get him to calm down? Do ye ken how many times he gets worked up and ends up wit’ a broken bone?”
“Yer faither is relivin’ some of his memories,” Astrid explained. “His sole purpose is to protect his family and his clan. Ye get yer loyalty from him, do ye nae?”
“Maybe,” the Laird answered as he stepped closer to her. “But that doesnae answer me question. We’ve had him bolt from that bed, spoutin’ all sorts of tales.”
“Yer faither fought many battles and defended his land and family proudly. Is it so uncommon to want to taste that sweet victory once more before ye go?” Astrid asked, her eyes following his movements.
“I suppose that when I’m that frail, I’ll want to die on me feet and nae in a bed,” he admitted.
Her heart fluttered wildly in her chest as they walked through the corridor, the sound of their footsteps syncing.
“’Tis the wish of any great warrior,” Astrid said, daring to steal a glance at him.
He was a formidable man. Yet, as she moved beside him, she felt comforted by his strength instead of intimidated.
“Aye, I suppose it is,” the Laird agreed as they came to the end of the hallway.
Astrid found herself eager for his company. As long as he was by her side, she felt safe and secure, which was something she hadn’t expected at all.
“Thomas,” Alba called from the other end of the hall. The Laird and Astrid turned around. “Yer faither wishes to speak wit’ ye.”
“Aye, I’ll be right there,” he answered, before turning back to Astrid. “I ken that I promised dinner tonight.”
“Ye need nae say anything, Me Laird. It is yer right to call off such things.”
“Aye, but ye must ken that I didnae want to. But?—”
“Ye should never feel as if ye have to choose between me and yer faither. I ken I’m here to tend to him.”
“And ye did. Better than anyone has since he fell so ill,” the Laird affirmed. Astrid watched as his gaze flicked back to the other end of the hallway. “But I promised ye dinner.”
“Are ye sayin’ that ye’re plannin’ on closin’ the kitchen tonight?” Astrid asked, hoping to ease the tension that lingered between them.
The Laird’s eyes snapped back toward her, flickering with confusion. “Nay.”
“Then I will still be able to have dinner, thanks to yer hospitality.”
“Astrid—”
“Thomas, yer faither’s askin’ for ye.” Alba’s plea bounced off the walls, drawing the Laird’s attention.
“Go,” Astrid urged, even though her arms ached to wrap around her husband’s strong body once more.
Despite his size, at that moment, he looked as if he were but a child. She wished there was more she could do for Tavish, but by all accounts, the man should have already been dead. Yet, here he was, a survivor just like her.
“Yer faither’s wits willnae be around for much longer.”
“Thank ye for what ye did. I dinnae ken how ye managed to get him to calm down, but ye did.”
Astrid flashed the Laird a smile and then watched as he turned on his heels and rushed back to his father’s chambers. Her heart fluttered in her chest just before it sank.
His absence was profound. It was as if he had stolen all the warmth and what little light there was from the corridor when he left.
Dropping her shoulders, Astrid turned and made her way down the steps. The castle was bustling with activity so late in the evening. But with Tavish well-tended to, her evening was free, and there was only one place she wanted to be.
“I doesnae fit me anymore,” Melody whined as she tried pulling her dress over her head once again.
How the child managed to grow so fast astonished Astrid. It was as if time was slipping away far too quickly.
“Maybe it’s all the sweets I’ve been catchin’ ye scarf down after dinner each night,” Astrid teased as she helped Melody out of her dress and placed it with the others that no longer fit. “But I’m sure Mrs. Balled will find someone to give these to, and she might even have something ye can wear till I can get the dressmaker to come here.”
“Why can we nae just ask Thomas?”
“It’s Laird McFair or the Laird. We have nay right to call him by his first name.”
“But ye’re married to him,” Melody pointed out, confusion riddling her face. She cocked her head to the side and studied Astrid.
For a moment, Astrid couldn’t help but feel as if her sister was staring back at her.
“Aye, and I have a title now as well, but it doesnae mean that I ken the man.”
“Lady McFair. And how is that? Is everyone as nice to ye as they are to me now? It’s almost as if I’ve become a queen, wit’ all the servants askin’ how they can help.”
“Ye’re nae runnin’ them ragged, are ye?” Astrid asked as she raised a suspicious eyebrow. “Just because ye have the power to have things done for ye doesnae mean ye should take advantage of it.”
“I’m nae,” Melody said, her voice high-pitched.
“Good, I dinnae want to hear that ye’re causin’ problems. The Laird has been very kind to us, so far. I dinnae want to give him a reason to throw us out.”
Melody shook her head as she darted toward the window. The evening air flowed into the room, and she inhaled deeply.
“He would never do that. Eileen has told me that Thomas takes his duties far too seriously and how funny it has been watchin’ him get all wonky wit’ ye around.”
Astrid’s heart stopped. She didn’t dare believe a word that was coming out of Melody’s mouth, yet she clung to every syllable. Her thoughts drifted to the way her husband had looked in the corridor. Not like the domineering laird of the castle, but a boy just happy to have his father back.
“Eileen is mistaken, or she’s been listenin’ to the servants, who will soon be talkin’ about how I’m wit’ child,” Astrid said with a heavy heart.
She wished she could be more like a normal bride, one who craved her husband’s touch.
It wasn’t that Astrid didn’t want the Laird to touch her. Oh, how she did. He was gentle and soft despite his size.
Yet, she knew that every man kept a dam locked tight. What would happen if she broke his dam? Would his lust for her overpower his gentleness and patience?
Images of Laird Chalium flashed before her eyes. Astrid hated the fact that her thoughts jumped to him.
“What do ye think of the Laird?” she asked, her voice cracking with emotion.
She couldn’t trust her wit or reason, not when they so easily betrayed her.
“He’s kind. And he’s promised to teach me to ride, can ye believe it? I dinnae think I’ve ever been so excited,” Melody gushed as Astrid guided her to the bed.
Astrid pulled back the sheets and fluffed the pillow for Melody. Carefully, the little girl climbed into the bed and snuggled down. Tucking her in, Astrid’s heart swelled with joy and love for her.
“I didnae ken he was goin’ to do that.”
“Aye, he promised me at the wedding that he’d give me lessons.”
“That was very kind of him, but I wouldnae get me hopes up—the Laird is a very busy man. He may nae have the time.”
Melody bobbed her head as she snuggled beneath the covers. “Well, he had enough time to write that.” She nodded her little head toward the side table.
Astrid followed the movement and spotted the piece of parchment dangling off the edge. She reached for it as her heart went into a wild tizzy. It was as if there was far too much air in the room.
“When was this delivered?” she asked, cautiously unfolding the parchment to read the letter.
“It was on the floor earlier when I came in with Olivia. Ye ken, I dinnae think that she likes me very much,” Melody said. “She always seems so busy. Unlike her sister. Do ye think I could have a sister one day?”
The question floored Astrid, pulling her directly out of the mire of her thoughts. The answer to Melody’s innocent question was far more complicated than she could express.
“I dinnae ken,” Astrid managed to say. “I suppose that is in God’s hands.”
“How does that even work? If ye’re now married to the Laird, he’ll be wantin’ a bairn.”
“And how do ye ken so much about these things?” Astrid asked, shocked that such a topic would even enter into a child’s mind.
“Olivia,” Melody answered innocently. “She says that now that ye’re married, ye’ll nae spend as much time wit’ me.”
“That couldnae be further from the truth. I willnae abandon ye. Have I nae always been there for ye?” Astrid asked, throwing her arms around Melody and pulling her to her bosom.
The very idea of giving up Melody was so outrageous that Astrid clenched her jaw. She was going to have a word with Olivia. There was no way she was going to let Melody think that she could be so easily discarded.
“I love ye.”
“And I ye,” Melody answered, squeezing her even tighter. “But so much is goin’ to change, now that we dinnae have to move around. We can actually stay.”
“Aye,” Astrid agreed as she stroked the girl’s hair. “This is our home now. And I also think ye’ve had a big day.”
“Are ye nae goin’ to read the letter?” Melody asked as she eased back into the pillow, her eyes growing heavy with sleep.
Astrid glanced at the parchment as she pulled the covers up to Melody’s shoulders.
“Did ye want me to read it to ye?” she asked, her heart fluttering like a trapped bird seeking a way out of its cage.
Before Astrid could get an answer, she glanced over to find Melody sound asleep, the exertion of the day finally catching up to her.
Astrid settled on the bed and stared at the letter for a moment. She swallowed hard as she wondered what the Laird could have to say that he would need a letter. Usually, he didn’t hesitate to voice whatever was on his mind.
Leaning back, she began to read.
Dear Astrid,
I’m looking forward to our dinner this evening. There are a great many things that we need to discuss, and I hope that we can come to some understanding.
Laird McFair.
Astrid blinked twice before she ran her eyes over the parchment again. There were no demands or warnings, much to her surprise. Her heart dropped as if she’d fallen off a cliff.
Maybe the Laird wasn’t nearly as bad as she had painted him in her mind. The memory of him standing outside his father’s room, looking so innocent and vulnerable, flashed through her mind. She glanced once more at the parchment before gently rising from the bed.
She moved to the door connecting her room to the Laird’s and then paused. Her heart fluttered as if it could take off like a bird. She didn’t know why she was doing it. Maybe it was the confidence in the letter. Or maybe it was the way he looked so vulnerable in the corridor once his father had calmed down. But Astrid pulled back the metal bolt and stepped back as if he’d come barging in.
When the door didn’t open, Astrid let out the breath she had been holding in. She glanced over her shoulder at Melody, who was still asleep, undisturbed by the noise. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as a sense of peace washed over her.
Maybe he is different…