Chapter 6
“What is this? Where’s Edith now? I was told she was here,” Theodore snapped as he came around the corner expecting the infirmary. Three women cowered in the corner, barely brave enough to make eye contact with him.
Arching an eyebrow, Theodore stepped back, giving them space and some room to breathe. He knew he was an intimidating man. He saw the fear flash in the eyes of everyone in the room the second he entered.
It wasn’t lost on him that he was the biggest and there wasn’t a man in all of Scotland that dared challenge him.
He was nearly certain King James wouldn’t have been too pleased had Theodore made a claim for the throne.
Unlike the King who had royal blood flowing through his veins, Theodore was merely a laird of the finest soil to produce whatever Theodore set his mind to plant.
No, the kingdom wasn’t what he wanted. Theodore wanted something far more valuable - a wife he could trust.
How long he had wanted a family, but it wasn’t meant to be.
Call it fate, or destiny, whatever it was, it was a force that refused to let him find the peace he so craved.
There was just far too much violence and evil running amok that he wanted to squash it before it grew into something no one could defeat.
And so, here he was, without a wife and a council breathing down his back for him to settle. He couldn’t settle, it wasn’t his time. There were hunts springing up all along the coastal region that couldn’t go unchecked. No, they had to be eradicated and brought to ruins.
“Laird MacLeon, there’s none here but us faithful to the previous master. Do what ye will to us, but we willnae denounce our oath,” the cook said defiantly. Theodore couldn’t help but flash the man a smirk. It was his bravery he admired more than his speech. It took guts for him to say such things.
“Yer house has fallen,” Theodore answered with the same defiance and gusto.
Only he knew that he was the one with the power to give or take life.
The cook’s eyes shifted with uncertainty as Theodore watched him weigh the situation before saying anything more.
“Ye have but a breath to go in peace, but I suggest ye go now before I change me mind.”
The cook glanced over his shoulder as if second guessing his decision before turning on his heels and turning on his heels. In a flash, he had faded into the twilight.
“If it pleases me laird, we’ll take our leave,” the cook muttered on his way out. Theodore shook his head as he watched them cower from him. The women bowing low, Theo understood, but to see the cook do it as well… where was the honor and dignity?
“Are ye sure ye want to let them go? They could be very valuable and useful in the castle,” Ryan said as he popped his head around the corner.
“Ye’re nae to bother them, understand? They have made their stance, and I ken I have nothin’ to fear from cowards like them,” Theodore answered as he made his way to the door.
The keep was both stunning and terrifying.
Never had Theo seen a place with so many secret passages and dark nooks.
It was almost as if it were a playground for the sinister and twisted.
“Ye’re a better man than I, and that’s all I am goin' to say about that,” Ryan said as he patted Theodore on the back. “Ye’re turnin’ out to be a better laird than anyone could expect.”
“It means a lot for me to hear ye say that,” Theodore said as he returned the gesture and watched Ryan cringe from the pain Theodore had unintentionally inflicted.
“Aye, well, I think we’ll be on our way then,” he said. “The lasses have had their fill and have started to get drowsy. How did ye ken that would work so well? Did ye lace it with somethin’?”
“Nay,” Theodore said shocked that even Ryan would think so little of him. “I would never. It was merely a lesson I learned long ago on the battlefield. Sometimes to tame a beast ye go for its gut. I mean ye’ve seen them, they’re nae but skin and bones. I daenae even think there is gristle on them.”
“Probably nae. But I ken the ride home will be a bit peaceful. At least for me,” Ryan said as they glanced at the girls resting on the foyer floor. They hadn’t moved since they had arrived and now, it was time for all of them to part ways.
Theodore’s eyes lingered on Madison. The soft golden light of the torches caused her shadow to stretch across the room as if reaching out for him to take her. Theodore’s chest tightened at the thought of bringing her back with him. To have her under his roof made his stomach flip with excitement.
“Laird, the carriage is ready when ye are,” the servant announced. Their time at the keep had come to an end. And the horrors of the stone walls would be nothing but a forgotten, frayed memory if he had anything to say about it.
He moved in haste to Madison’s side just as her head began to bob with exhaustion.
“Come wee bird, I promise to keep ye safe from here on out, ye have me word,” Theodore whispered as he scooped his arms under her frail frame.
She was nothing but feathers and smoke. He knew it would take more than three helpings of stew to get any meat on her, but still, he had hoped to see some improvements.
“Hallie, nay daenae go, stay with me,” Madison mumbled in her sleep as Theo held her to his chest as he carried her out to the carriage. He couldn’t help but smile at her tenderness as he put her in the carriage and closed the door.
“Ye’ll go slow,” Theodore ordered the driver. “I daenae care if it takes us all night to get back. Ye’re nae to wake her. She needs sleep.”
“Aye, me laird.”
Theodore’s chest tightened as he stepped aside to let the carriage start down the road.
He moved swiftly to his horse and climbed up into the saddle.
Pulling the reins, he guided the horse to the carriage and trotted alongside it.
Theo flexed his jaw as he dared to steal a glimpse through the curtains.
But then again, how could he not? She was a lovely creature and just as dainty. He found it amusing she thought she could do anything to hurt him. Yet as she rested soundly in the carriage as they made their way to Castle MacLeon, Theodore couldn’t help but wonder who the strange name belonged to.
Was she a sister? Or a servant? Clearly it was someone Madison was fond of, or she wouldn’t have been dreaming of her.
The ride to the castle was slow, getting to the point where even Theo questioned their pace.
Surely the beauty in the back of the wagon would be able to handle a bit more speed.
Rubbed the back of his neck, Theo couldn’t wait to catch sight of shimmering moonlight on the placid loch.
At least then he would be able to tell just how much further they had to go. But the night was still as it was dark.
Every creature nestled along the road either paid them no mind or didn’t think they were any threat.
Either way, it made for a rather uneventful trip.
A trip that should have only been a few hours stretched for what seem to be eternity.
But Theodore wasn’t paying any heed to the time really, so long as he was able to catch little glimpses of Madison as she slumbered within the carriage.
She was like an avenging angel with her dark hair thrown about her like a wreath. He wondered what thoughts troubled her mind and if maybe he would find some way to calm the storm that raged within her.
“Nay, get off,” she screamed and shot up. Her cry startled Theodore’s horse, causing it to rear up. Taking control, Theodore guided the horse around, letting it stamp out the jitters that were causing it distress before attempting to go to the carriage.
“Lass. Tell me what's frightened ye and I'll handle it,” Theodore growled as he came up to the window. Madison’s eyes were wide with fright.
“Where are we? Where have ye taken me?” she asked as she held her head out the carriage window. He could see the flush of the dream still on her cheeks as the horrors lingered just behind her eyelids.
“We’ve come to Castle MacLeon, see,” Theodore said, pointing to the small orange lights flickering in the distance.
“We’re nearly there. I’m sorry ye dinnae sleep as soundly as I had hoped.
But, we’ve come to the end of the journey by carriage.
Ye’ll be gettin’ out and stretchin’ yer legs as soon as we stop. ”
“I’m nae groggy,” she uttered in disbelief as Theodore started for the driver. As much as he wanted to comment, he bit his tongue as he looked out over the still waters with relief.
“The barge will only hold a wee bit at a time. I will take the lass over first and meet ye on the other side,” Theodore suggested to the driver as he guided his horse to the bank of the loch and slipped off his saddle.
He couldn’t help but feel a wave of gratitude come over him as the carriage came to a stop next to him.
“This is where ye get out,” Theodore said as he opened the door to the carriage. Madison glared at him as she scooted to the door.
“Why do I get the impression ye’re enjoyin’ me sufferin’?” she asked as he cradled her close to him and carried her to the barge. “It’s because ye are, arenae?”
Theodore's lips curved into a smirk. Madison's scowl deepened, her lower lip jutting out. He stepped onto the barge with her still in his arms.
The boat rocked beneath them. Madison gasped, her hands flying to his neck, fingers digging into his shoulders. She pressed against him, her breath coming in quick, warm bursts against his skin. Heat spread from where her body touched his, radiating down his spine.
“What are ye doin?” she asked, as she held him tighter.
“If ye’d stop and look, I think ye’d be pleasantly surprised at what ye see,” Theodore implored as he lowered her to the deck of the barge. “Welcome to Castle MacLeon. I promise, ye’re safe. Nay one would be foolish to come for ye here. ”