Chapter 6 #2
He stuffed it into his pocket. She left without another word, yet her cheeks were more crimson than ever.
After that, Blair turned back to the door and let out a breath.
How could so much desire be packed into one interaction?
He knew now that he was making the right decision by leaving the castle.
He could not bear that day after day. It was torture, wanting someone more with each moment in their presence.
Finally, he got himself together and knocked on the door, and after hearing the laird’s grunt of approval, he opened it.
“Laird MacPherson,” he said, closing it and coming to stand in front of his desk.
“Aye, Blair, what is it?” Graeme asked, scribbling something on a sheaf of paper.
“I think it is time that I take me leave.”
That made the laird look up. “Leave? As in the castle?”
“Aye.” Blair nodded and let out a breath as he remembered the idea he’d conjured up to make an excuse.
“Ye ken that I am tae be the man-at-arms at Grant Castle and that I was only meant tae be here for a brief time until ye found a replacement or Ada married.” He swallowed.
“Ada is now goin’ tae be married, and I feel that I am overdue in fulfillin’ me duty tae me friend.
I have been here long enough for a replacement tae be found.
Will ye allow me tae return tae where I am needed, me laird? ”
Graeme sighed, and leaning back in his chair, he crossed his arms. “Has me daughter done somethin’ tae ye? I ken that she has hurt ye many times—”
“Nay!” Blair cried, his eyes wide. The last thing he wanted was to get her into trouble. “Ada… I mean, yer lady… I mean, yer daughter has done nothin’ wrong.”
Very well, Blair, ye’re officially an idiot. Why can I nae speak properly anymore?
Laird MacPherson snorted and stared at him with a puzzled look, and Blair knew the man assumed he was joking. He hadn’t realized that his sudden departure might land Ada in another argument with her father.
“I only wish tae return tae me duty. Ye remember our agreement. It has now been long enough, I believe.”
He stood tall, hoping that he had not come off rude to the laird.
But it was true. He’d gone above and beyond in his duty, and he hoped the man would be reasonable and allow him to leave without too much argument.
Laird MacPherson assessed him with his stark blue eyes, and he got a taste of what Ada must have felt all the time.
It didn’t make him respect his employer any more.
“All right then, Blair. I will dae as ye say. Ye are quite right. I should have been searchin’ for yer replacement, but I trust ye the most out of all me men.
I was reluctant tae allow ye tae go.” He paused.
“And ye’re certain there is nothin’ I can dae tae tempt ye tae stay even after Ada is wed and gone?
Ye are a leader; the men respect ye. I can always use a man like that tae lead me clan intae battle if need be. ”
Blair was touched by the laird’s words. He had not felt satisfied with himself for as long as he could remember. Graeme’s kind statements reminded him of his father, and an ache he’d done well to hide for many years pressed up against his chest.
“Thank ye,” he said quickly. “That is kind of ye, me laird. But it was a long ago promise, the one I made with Cameron. I want tae see it through. He was a friend tae me when I was on me own.”
“I understand. Ye are a good man, Blair.” Laird MacPherson stood and shook his hand.
“Thank ye, me laird,” Blair was so relieved that his request had been fulfilled. “Ye have taken a lot of weight off me mind.”
“Good.” He turned to go, but the laird said, “I have one last request, however.”
“Och?” Blair turned, hoping and praying that the request had nothing to do with Ada.
“As I told ye, lad, I trust nae one more than ye, and that is why I put ye in charge of watchin’ me daughter.”
The repeated words of trust began to hit like a knife.
The laird trusted him, and yet he’d kissed his daughter like he hadn’t a care in the world.
He also thought about Ada in more ways than were proper.
He’d imagined caressing her neck, biting her silky lips, holding his strong grip on her beautiful hair while she was down on—
STOP IT! This man thought well of him and wished him to stay, unaware of the truth. An escape to Cameron’s castle would relieve him of the guilt of his deception.
“Aye,” Blair said, turning back.
“Ada has requested that she be allowed tae visit her sister and Cameron at their castle before she is wed. I agreed, and she wishes tae leave tomorrow. But…” The laird paused, and Blair nearly sighed, knowing what was about to come next.
“Since ye are wantin’ tae go there anyway, and I trust ye like nae other, then I wish for ye tae accompany Ada tae Grant Castle. What say ye?”
Blair hesitated but only for a moment. He had been trying to escape Ada, and now she was following him to where he was heading. Is this a jest? Yet it is only for a time, and then she will be wed. One last time…
Reminding himself of that felt like he was twisting the knife in his belly.
“Aye, me laird. I will dae it, and then I will send someone tae accompany her on the way back.”
“Thank ye. That would help a father tae sleep well at night, lad.” He laughed, patting Blair on the shoulder. “Tomorrow then.”
“Tomorrow. I will make the arrangements for ye. We can leave at first light.”
“Excellent. I will see ye off in the morn tae say a proper goodbye. But we will see one another again since ye will still remain within the family.” Quickly, an image of him and Ada married and happy flashed through his mind, but he stifled it.
“Thank ye again, Laird MacPherson.”
The older man smiled a little, and Blair left. Once he was out of the study, he sighed and closed his eyes. How was he going to survive an hours-long carriage ride with Ada?