Page 9 of The Curse of McMillan Castle
The road must’ve been harsher to him than he realized if he looked rough enough to be mistaken for a beggar.
“Nae, lass. I am no’ a beggar. I have urgent business with Laird McMillan. I only mean to inquire as to his nature. The laird doesna ken I am coming, and I doona wish to be met with hostility.”
For the first time, the young woman seated next to the old man smiled in his direction and spoke up. “You mean, Baodan? No worries there. Mom greeted you with way more hostility than anyone at the castle will. You’ve already met McMillan Castle’s scariest resident.”
The young girl laughed, and Duncan watched as her mother crossed her arms and frowned at the girl before returning her gaze to him. The young lassie’s speech was just as unfamiliar to him as her mother’s.
“I apologize. I should not have assumed. It’s just that Henry is too kind, and I wouldn’t want anyone to take advantage of him. What exactly is the nature of your business with Baodan?”
Despite the woman’s apology, her tone said everything that her words did not—she remained suspicious of him.
“I believe I am in possession of something that belongs to him. I wish to return it. Then I shall be on me way back home.”
The woman said nothing as she looked him over once more, assessing him, judging him. The intensity of her gaze made him nervous, and he thought that perhaps the wee lass had been right about her being the castle’s scariest resident, for there had been no one in a fair number of years who set him quite as on edge as she.
“Fine. You can follow us back up to the castle once the rain stops. Take off those wet boots and you can join us by the fire.”
Chapter 6
Madeline
Why in the world was I being so mean to this probably-harmless stranger? I tried to determine the answer as I watched him interact with Henry and my daughter as we all sat around the fire waiting for the storm to pass.
The man was kind, witty, and intelligent, but each and every time he directed any statement or question toward me, I responded with the friendliness of a thorn bush. What was the matter with me?
The question tormented me as the afternoon passed, and the rain continued. It was only when the distant part of my mind that was vaguely paying attention to the conversation in the room picked up on Rosie’s mention of her late father that it hit me immediately.
I was attracted to this man. Instantly. Immediately. And my body and mind’s reaction to the foreign chemical reaction was to throw up my strongest defense mechanism—to behave like a super, cranky bitch.
It was the first time in fifteen years I’d had such a visceral reaction to anyone. And it was the first time since Tim had died that some part of the person I’d been before had attempted to flicker back to life.
But rather than allow some part of my humanity to return, the most broken parts of me had rebelled against it.
It was only further proof of just how hopeless any chance of my life ever being normal again really was.
Claustrophobic and frustrated with myself, I stood and looked out the window toward the castle before interrupting the conversation of the others in the room.
“It’s just sprinkling now, and it’s getting dark. We’d better head to the castle.”
“Aye.”
The stranger—I still didn’t know his name, although I was certain he’d said it—stood, thanked Henry for his hospitality and made his way to the door.
“Allow me to fetch me horse. ’Twill only take me a moment.”
Once he was far enough away that he could no longer hear her, Rosie walked over to me and grabbed my hand.
“Are you okay, Mom? You’ve been acting strange all afternoon.”
“Of course, I am. Just frustrated that the whole day got away from me due to this weather.”
Rosie narrowed her eyes at me. She wasn’t buying it, but rather than pry, she pretended that she did.
“Okay. Surely Baodan will invite Duncan to stay for dinner, right? He should really allow him to stay the night at the castle, too. I hate the thought of him having to be back out on the road again in this weather.”
Duncan. I made a mental note so that I would remember his name.
“I’m sure no one will mind him staying for dinner, but he should seek shelter at the inn if he doesn’t wish to be on the road. The castle is full up, as it is.”
