Page 47 of The Runaway Bride and the Highlander
The bairn only smiled broadly at her, a smile that warmed her heart so much she too nearly shed a tear. It was then that Skylar nodded and turned back toward her horse.
When they arrived back at the castle, Skylar decided to go back and speak to Kendrick. Firstly, she wanted to tell him how grateful Ogilvie’s mother had been and to thank him on her behalf. But now the little boy was safe and well, Skylar also desired to continue the conversation they had begun before she had left.
Kendrick listened intently, and though he had not offered her any advice on the last occasion that they had talked, mainly because she had been relaying her life story and there was little advice needed, Skylar was certain the wise old man could help her deal with her current situation. In truth, she did not know much about him. Had Kendrick been married? Did he have children of his own?
If he did, they would be older than Skylar now and if they were not staying in the castle had likely left to live their own lives somewhere farther afield. It was strange that she thought of such a thing only now, for it hardly would make a difference, whatever the answers to her questions might be.
It was as she walked along the corridor in the direction of the healer’s room that she was swiftly stopped by Caelan. He did not look at all pleased and yet still spoke to her respectfully.
“The laird would like tae speak tae ye on a matter of urgency, my lady,” he said tightly.
In that second, Skylar was alerted that her trip had indeed been found out. She also regretted lying to Calean earlier. It was not something she would ordinarily have done; it was only she had not wanted Maxwell to interfere and stop her from taking Ogilvie to his mother. Whether by chance or on purpose, Caelan had clearly made mention of her journey, and now she was going to have to explain why she had lied to her husband.
The advisor announced her presence once they arrived at Maxwell’s study where her husband was sitting at his desk, his head buried in some sort of paperwork that lay before him, but he did not lift his gaze to either her or Caelan.
“Leave us,” Maxwell demanded, his head still bent. He was evidently angry, and Skylar felt a little on edge.
“Aye, my laird,” Caelan replied, swiftly scurrying from the room but not before throwing Skylar a scowling glance. She had tricked him earlier, and understandably, the advisor had not appreciated her being so untruthful. Skylar only hoped she had not got Caelan into trouble with such a lie.
The moment the door closed, Maxwell slammed his hands onto the desk and stood with such force that his chair toppled backwards, crashing onto the stone floor behind him.
“What the hell has gotten intae ye, woman?” he bellowed, glaring at Skylar with eyes that glowered so intensely, they could have burned through her very soul. Her heart thumped against her chest at the sight of him, for though she had seen him angry before, she had never seen him this furious.
“What are ye talking about?” she cried, confused at his temper.
“Do tell me ye are joking with such a ridiculous question!” he roared. “Have ye lost yer mind? Four days ago, I lost men in battle trying tae protect ye, and here ye are, jaunting all over the country as though there’s nae threat tae yer life at all!” He gesticulated wildly. “Ye think ‘tis all right tae lie tae my advisor, tae tell him that I allowed ye tae go out o’ the castle alone?”
“I wasnae alone,” Skylar defended, trying her best to keep her temper.
“Ye’re my wife, Skylar. Yer life is in danger. Ye didnae think it was right to discuss with me what ye planned tae do?”
It was those final words that caused a reaction within her that she could not hold back. After all he had put her through, how dare he dictate her life to her? Bursting with anger, Skylar bit back at him with the same vehemence with which he spoke to her.
“Ye are a hypocrite and a controlling, manipulating tyrant. If ye hadnae have run away from me every minute of every day since we were married,” she yelled back, “ye’d ken well where ye wife was!”
“Nae once have I manipulated ye, Skylar.”
“Ye have nae stopped since I arrived,” she spat. “Ye used yer sexual advances tae disarm me, ye used my innocence against me, ye forced me tae marry ye against my will, and since then, ye’ve treated me worse than the servants. Ye’ve had more conversations with Caelan than me.”
“I married ye tae protect ye,” he defended.
“Like hell ye did. Ye are Laird, and ye take what ye want. Ye treat people how ye want, nae matter how much it hurts them.”
“I did what I had tae do. Dinnae ye remember who saved ye from Colum?” he bellowed again.
“How could I forget,my laird?” she said, her voice heavy with sarcasm. “Ye’ve done naething but remind me since I got here.”
“Well, then maybe I should have left ye there with those animals,” he spat.
“Aye, maybe ye should’ve. It couldnae be any worse than being stuck here.” Skylar had had enough and, turning on her heels, stormed toward the door.
“Aye, run away,” Maxwell yelled.
“I will. I’ve been taking great tips from ye,” she barked over her shoulder.
Storming from his room, Skylar struggled to hold back the tears. Her life had been bad enough in the convent, but at least she had lived it as she saw fit to a point. Turning the corner, she was brought up sharply when she crashed right into Bram’s chest.
“Good god, woman, ye scared me half tae death,” Bram chuckled. When he realized Skylar was not even smiling, he stopped short and suddenly frowned. “What’s the matter with ye? Are ye all right?”
