Chapter Four
Maddie and Alex both show their tempers. Who will win?
She patted his arm and said, “No need. We have plenty, so please do not worry. I have taken care of everything. May we finish our earlier discussion?”
“There is not much to say, Maddie. I told you I cannot risk my bairns’ and my wife’s life. I’m sorry if this displeases you, but it’s my final decision. We’ll stay here, as I’ve said.”
His last words set her insides churning in fury and sent her back to the days when she lived with the man she’d falsely thought to be her half brother, Kenneth.
She crossed her arms and stared up at her husband, doing her best to contain her rage.
“So I am to stay imprisoned inside these walls as you bid me to do? You do recall the situation I was forced to live in before I met you? Is that what my life will be like, Alex? Because I’ve lived that life before, and I was not happy.”
The fire lit in her husband’s eyes as quickly as her own fury had blossomed. She hated to bring it to this point, but she would not be a prisoner in her own home the same way she’d been with Kenneth.
“Do not dare compare me to the evil man whom you thought to be your brother. You insult me gravely by even the suggestion. There are times when I will have the final say, Maddie. And this is one of them.”
Each word rang out louder as he spoke it, his voice reaching a yell by the end.
“Hear me, wife: We are not going to Ramsay land for the winter! And that is final!”
Alex spun on his heel and stormed out of the kitchens.
Maddie narrowed her eyes at his back. She did not like being caged, and she did not like being yelled at, either, especially in front of their servants and their bairns. She had told Alex as much, and yet here they were.
Memories of Kenneth and his overbearing ways filled her mind, causing her hands to shake.
She would not give in to Alex, even though most days he was a reasonable and loving husband, the day she married him, she had vowed to herself that she would never lose her independence.
She needed to impress upon him the importance of discussing and weighing his desire to protect with her need for freedom.
His yelling just made her decision easier.
She exited the kitchens and reentered the great hall.
Ignoring her husband, she hummed to herself while she tidied up and rethought her plan.
She’d thought she’d wait for Logan, but Alex would be watching her too closely afterward now that he knew her true feelings.
He’d be seeking ways to soften her disappointment and anger, and her chance at slipping away would be too reduced.
No, she’d have to go ahead of Logan—now, tonight.
If she remained, she feared another yelling session, and at that point, Mac or Alice might refuse to help her.
She knew Logan had plans to leave early in the morn, at a time when the household would not yet notice her and the bairns’ absence. He’d catch up to them within hours.
She hated to leave Alex on such a note, but he left her no choice. Losing his temper and yelling at her forced the issue, forced her to take action ahead of her plan.
Glad she’d already taken the time to pack fresh clothing for herself and the bairns, she began to adjust her list of tasks and preparations.
Even as she did so, she felt a flash of further regret that Alex had not agreed to travel.
If he had, then there would be a large cart or two going along with them, into which she could pack extra clothes and gifts for the Ramsays.
Now she was limited. But it was not a deterrent.
She knew Brenna would find clothing for all of them, when needed.
As the men filed outside in wait of the evening meal, she took advantage of the nearly empty great hall and made a point to inspect the lads’ winter clothing, ensuring everything was in good repair.
The lads, as usual, had chased the men without their mantles on, donning their short boots instead of the ones they wore in the snow.
The cold rarely seemed to bother them, plus the meal was about to begin, so they’d return inside soon.
She found Celestina abovestairs and chatted with her for a wee bit while Alice took care of Kyla, then they both headed belowstairs as the men returned and the serving lasses brought out the trenchers of food.
Sitting at the dais next to Alex, she was grateful for Logan’s presence because the two chatted on about every issue the Scots had ever had, keeping her from having any conversation with her husband.
She went over the checklist in her mind, making sure she would forget nothing.
She was ready.
After their evening meal, she turned to Alex.
“Alex, I’m verra tired this eve. I’d like to go abovestairs with the bairns now. Please stay and keep Logan entertained.”
She leaned down to give him a kiss, then said, “Come along, lads.”
She swooped up Kyla, who let out a giggle, then took her up the staircase while the lads yelled their goodbyes to all.
Alice was inside the bairns’ chamber, fussing about. “Evening all. I’m preparing everything as you’ve instructed, my dear.”
Jake and Jamie ignored her as they hurried over to their corner of the chamber, where their weapons sat on a chest, just as the weapons did in their sire’s chamber.
Maddie set Kyla down and approached Alice. With a whisper she said, “We go tonight.”