Chapter 17
Madison rolled over, drawing the pillow to her.
The morning light was but a whisper as it sliced through the shadows.
She blinked as the warmth of the sun kissed her cheeks and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
For a fleeting moment, Madison thought she was still tucked into the nook of Theodore’s arm.
But it didn’t take long for her to realize it was merely remnants of the dream that played delicately on her dazed mind.
Her breath caught as yesterday’s events flashed through her mind. How easily she could see Theodore on the shore with the children as they pulled in the fish they had caught. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she squeezed the pillow wishing it was Theodore her arms were wrapped around.
“Make ready men, we leave momentarily.”
Madison shot out of the bed and looked about. The husky male voice rang in her ears and sent panic coursing through her veins. She threw the covers from her, leaving behind all thoughts and images of the dream as she drew to the window.
Glancing down, she was shocked to find a handful of men all filling their satchels and bags for what looked like a long journey. Madison scanned the faces of the men. Each one had the same determined flicker to their eye and the same settled expression as they kissed their women goodbye.
“Thompson, ye’re with Jacob. Ye’ll be takin’ the southeast region. The laird is givin’ ye three days. Ye get back here by the fourth with or without news.”
Madison’s chest tightened as hope sprang like a weed and tangled around her senses. For some reason she had always doubted the fact Theodore had sent men out to find her family. But now, seeing them assemble under her very window was all the proof she needed to send those thoughts to bed.
“Theodore?” she called from her window, hoping to catch sight of him. Boyd glanced up at her and offered a somber nod before he moved out of ear shot. “What is goin' on?”
Madison didn’t get any answer and knew she wouldn’t, not unless she forced one of them to answer.
And if they really were going to the villages to find her family, she was going to go with them no matter what.
Theodore after all had said time and again she wasn’t a prisoner and could leave when she wanted, but she had yet to truly test that theory.
“Oh I daenae think so,” Madison huffed as she scrambled to dress herself. It took her but a moment to slip on the petticoat and tie up her corset. She was made ready and as soon as she was able, she was out the door.
The sound of her footstep echoed down the corridor as she rushed outside to speak to the men before they could all leave. Making a sharp turn, Madison nearly plowed over Eliza as she barreled down the hallway.
“Me word, where’s the fire?” Eliza asked, startled by Madison’s mad dash for the side door.
“I’m sorry, there’s nay fire. I must go.”
Madison moved swiftly through the doorway. From around the corner, she could hear the sound men speaking, their husky low voices carried further than a woman’s ever could.
Rolling her shoulders back, Madison moved around the corner. Half the men that had gathered under window had already left. Only three men remained out of the handful she’d seen before.
“What is the meanin’ of this gatherin?” Madison asked the first man she approached. He barely glanced at her as he fastened his belt tighter about his waist.
“We’re lookin’ for some folks in a village a half day’s ride from here.”
The hope that sprang in her chest entangled around her wits, and snuffed out her reasoning. She stepped closer, eyes wide and they were eager.
“I wish to join ye,” she said. The man paused a moment before turning his attention directly to her.
“Come again?” he asked and tilted his head to ensure he gave her an ear.
“I wish to join yer search party. They are me family ye’re lookin’ for, and I would ken what they look like better than ye would. But I’ll need a horse and a few moments to add some provisions for me.”
“Now wait just a moment,” the man said shaking his head as he placed his hand on Madison’s shoulder to stop her from going anywhere. “Look here. We only take orders from two people, Boyd and the Laird. And ye lass, are nae either one of them. Now get yerself back in the kitchen or wherever.”
“What’s this? Carter, what are ye doin’? I thought I told ye to fetch the bags of grain we are to be droppin’ off at the orphanage on our way out. Ye shouldnae be talkin’ with the Lady.”
“Lady MacLeon? Tis yer family we’re tryin’ to find? Me apologies, me lady, I dinnae ken who ye were,” Carter said bowing his head.
“She’s nae Lady MacLeon yet,” the man snapped as Madison felt his gaze bore into her. “But ye go and mind what I told ye. As for ye, Lady Madison, if ye wish to join us, ye best take it up with the laird. We’ll nae go against our master’s wishes, nae even for a pretty face.”
“But these is me family ye’re lookin’ for.
Surely ye can see how it would make more sense if I came along,” Madison tried to reason.
But it didn’t take her long to see there would be no budging.
Theodore’s men were loyal and nothing shy of God would get them to betray him.
She pressed her lips together as Boyd folded his arms over his chest defiantly.
“I’ll say it again, take it up with the laird,” Boyd with a slight shrug, his tone matter-of-fact.
“Take what up with me? Madison? I expected ye to still be asleep. If the men woke ye, I am sorry. I ken what a busy day ye had yesterday and thought ye’d want to rest.”
She arched an eyebrow and turned her scowl off Boyd and directed it to Theodore. “Ye’re goin' out to search for me family. I want to come.”
“Is that so?” Theodore studied her a moment. She could feel his direct glare as if he were assessing her ability and skills. “And tell me, who gave this notion that ye could ride out into the hills alone with a company of men?”
She glanced to Boyd as if he had the answer she needed. “But I wouldnae be alone— ”
“Nay?” he interjected as he arched an eyebrow.
“Ye’re makin’ it sound as if there’s danger out there when we rode together yesterday to the orphanage.”
“Which was still on me lands. We’re goin' out past that, and it is dangerous. The wild is nay place for ye. Ye daenae ken the land or the people here.”
“But— ” she protested as Theodore lifted a hand to silence her.
“Enough. I’ve made me decision.”
“Ye daenae understand, I have to go with ye,” Madison pleaded as she refused to back down.
“Oh, I understand, better than ye could think. But that doesnae mean that I’ll allow ye to put yerself in danger.” Theodore’s voice rose just a hint, but the warning in his words was as clear as ice.
“Allow? Ye said I wasnae a prisoner, that I could come and go as I pleased.”
“Aye, when ye put more weight on and could take care of yerself.”
“And have I nae done everythin’ that ye wanted me to? Now ye’re just comin’ up with reasons nae to honor yer promise.”
Theodore’s eyes flickered with shock, but he didn’t speak. His eyes narrowed as he flexed his jaw.
“I promised I wasnae keepin’ ye as a prisoner and I’m nae. Ye have free range over the grounds. Ye can move about as ye please. But daenae mistake what I’m doin' as anythin’ other than tryin’ to keep ye safe.”
“Me laird,” Boyd interjected. Madison had completely forgotten the man was still there waiting orders from his laird. Theodore barely gave Boyd a glance over his shoulder.
“The men are headin’ out as far as Dundee,” Boyd answered.
“That’s a five-day ride just gettin’ there,” Theodore said as he kept his eyes locked on Madison. She folded her arms across her chest, refusing to be pushed aside or forgotten about. If the men were going out to find her family, she was going to go with them.
“Aye, some have family they are goin' to check in on while they’re gone,” Boyd answered as his eyes shifted to Madison before returning to Theodore. Theodore nodded as he pressed his lips into a tight line. She watched Theodore chew over his words before giving Boyd a wave.
“Get another horse ready,” he finally said after a moment of silence.
“What?” Boyd gasped as he glanced to Madison with utter shock. “But I thought… aye, me laird, right away.”
Boyd bowed and turned for the stables as Theodore lifted his chin and arched an eyebrow. Madison’s heart pounded wildly in her chest as she tried not to get overly excited at the prospect of going.
“Tell ye what,” Theodore said as a smirk played at the corners of his lips. “I’ll strike a bargain with ye. I’ll let ye come with us to one village along the way and in exchange ye have to join me for dinner tonight.”
Madison’s eyes narrowed as a prick of uncertainty jabbed at her. There was something more Theodore wasn’t telling her, she could see it like a dark cloud in the depths of his gaze. Yet, what exactly he had up his sleeve, she wasn’t sure.
“There’s a catch, I just cannae figure out what it is. We’ve had meals in the past, so what makes this one different?” she asked as the feeling of weariness came over her.
“It’s the dinner with the council members. They are insistin’ I set a date for our weddin’. I’m hopin’ that maybe if they see us together, a united front, then I’ll be able to earn more time. Nae to mention ye havenae really been properly introduced to the clan. What say ye?”
Madison hesitated and stepped closer. She glanced about as if inspecting who was around them before uttering a word. “The council? Arenae they the same men who whisper behind me back? I daenae think I want to endure a conversation with them, let alone a meal.”
“Then we’ll be on our way and ye can enjoy the library, or the drawin’ room. I’m sure there is nay end to the amount of distraction the castle can provide.”
Madison ground her teeth together as she debated the bargain. Having dinner with the council wouldn’t be that bad. But at the same time, she didn’t want to endure the questions and etiquette of high-ranking people.
“Two villages,” Madison countered. “Ye let me go with ye to two places. And I’ll even wear whatever ye want me to.”
Theodore’s lips stretched into a smile as she watched his imagination pop open.
His gaze drifted over her and she could feel the rush of heat as if he exposed every inch of her bare skin.
She tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear and tried to hide her blush.
But it was no use, Theodore had seen it.
“Well, I suppose ye’ll have to make do spendin’ yer day here. Boyd, make ready the men. We are leavin’.”
“Wait,” Madison said as she realized he was about to just leave her there. “This isnae fair. This is blackmail.”
“I prefer the term, negotiation,” Theodore said with a smirk.
“Fine,” she huffed. “One village.”
“And one dinner,” Theodore interjected.
“And the dinner,” she conceded as Boyd came around the corner with a horse in tow. Theodore stepped into her line of sight, blocking the horse from her view. He leaned closer, ensuring he caught her gaze.
“And ye’ll like it.”
Madison’s eyes widened with shock. “Come again?”
Theodore folded his arms over his chest as he let the smile stretch across his face. “If ye wish to add a second village, then ye’ll sit through the dinner with a smile on that beautiful face of yers and pretend the meal and company are the best ye’ve ever had.”
“Ye’re infuriatin’,” Madison protested as her mouth dropped from his audacity.
Theodore shrugged a shoulder. “Aye, but I’m the laird.”
“Fine. I’ll smile, I’ll play nice. I’ll even toast to yer council, but ye’re takin’ me to two villages.”
Theodore’s lips curved as he stepped aside. “Then we should get goin’. We’ve places to see.”