Page 43 of A Wife for the Highland Wolf
Something large and furry came bouncing into view and Murdoch glared at it until it evolved into Hector, with Lydia trailing closely behind. Beside them stood the maid with Finn.
Lydia was probably saying goodbye to Finn. He supposed he couldn’t expect her to leave before saying farewell. He wondered why Wilma wasn’t with them. She usually took Finn for his breakfast.
His question was answered when the door to his study was flung open and Wilma stormed inside. “Murdoch, ye insufferable lout!”
Murdoch transferred his glare to his cousin. She threw him a contemptuous look and crossed her arms. “Have ye anything to say for yerself?”
“About what?”
Wilma scoffed. “I should have kent. Of course ye’d be an ass to the end.” She glared at him for a moment longer. “If ye werenae me laird and cousin I’d nae bother tellin' ye, but as ye are me laird, ye should ken that I’m leavin’.”
The words shocked him out of his sullen anger. “What?”
“I’ve decided to accompany Lydia to her home, since some heartless fool is throwing her out of the castle without even the courtesy of a few days to gather her things.”
Lydia must have confided in Wilma. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask how she was or to try to explain his reasons for his decision. He wasn’t sure which it would be, but it didn’t matter. Wilma gave him no opportunity.
“Lydia said she could introduce me to her eldest sister Nora. She’s a healer, ye ken. A skilled one, who can teach me a number of things. I’m lookin’ forward to it.”
Murdoch found himself unable to speak as her words raked over him like blades. Her eyes flickered over his face. “Ye look terrible, Murdoch.” She sighed. “I only came to bid ye farewell, and to give ye a warnin’. Ye will regret yer course of action,sendin’ Lydia away. Ye will realize soon enough that ye made a terrible mistake. But from the look of ye, ye willnae realize the truth until tis too late and ye’ve lost the most important thing in yer life.”
Murdoch was still trying to figure out a response to her words when the door slammed behind her and he winced.
He was finishing his scotch and contemplating another when the door opened again to admit his uncle. “Murdoch, I heard ye’re sendin’ the lass from Clyde Clan back home.”
“Aye.” The word was bitter in his mouth.
Uncle Arthur’s face formed an expression of sympathy and understanding as he came around the desk to clap Murdoch on the shoulder. “Tis a shame that it dinnae work out, but nay one can fault yer effort. Still, with the unrest from yesterday, I’m certain ye’re doin’ the proper thing.”
“Aye.” Murdoch set his glass down and sealed the bottle once again. Although he agreed with his uncle in words, he couldn’t help the thought that lingered under the surface.
I’m doin’ the right thing…but for whom?
Breakfast that morning was the most difficult meal she’d ever endured. It took everything Lydia had to make her way to thegreat hall. Still, if she was going to leave, she wasn’t going to skulk away like a whipped pup or a thief in the night.
Murdoch wasn’t there, which was a blessing. She hadn’t expected Finn or Wilma to attend, not after last night, so she wasn’t surprised to find herself eating with only Murdoch’s cousin and uncle in attendance.
To her surprise, it was Gordon who spoke first. “Are ye all right, Miss Knox? Ye look unwell.”
She swallowed a bit of tea and forced what she hoped was a pleasant expression to her face. “Tis nae much. However, if I could ask a favor of ye, could ye see that a carriage or cart is made ready for me?”
The cart she’d used to travel to Lochlann Castle had been taken back by Gareth a few days ago. That reminded her of another matter. “Also, if ye could spare me a guard or two to accompany me.”
“Aye. I can manage that easily enough, even after yesterday.” Gordon nodded. “But, if ye’ll forgive me sayin’, I daenae think it safe for ye to be traveling, so soon after an attack like the one yesterday.”
“Aye. I would agree with ye, but it seems yer laird has another opinion.” Lydia felt her lips twist in an effort to hold back tears. She was glad her voice managed to remain steady as she continued. “I was informed last night that he feels the betrothalwas a mistake, and that I’m to vacate the castle directly after the morning meal, or be removed at sword-point.”
It wasn’t exactly what Murdoch had said, but she’d little interest in being fair to him, not after last night.
“I’m sorry, Miss Knox.” Gordon sounded as if he meant it, which surprised her. “I ken that must have been difficult to hear, comin’ after yesterday.” A hand touched hers in a comforting gesture. “I’ll have the carriage and guards ready within the candle-mark.”
The younger Nairn rose and left the table, leaving Lydia with his father. After a moment, Arthur cleared his throat. “I apologize that me nephew is bein’ so abrupt with ye. I daenae ken why he’s changed his mind, but…I cannae say I think he’s made the wrong decision.”
The words stung, and Lydia looked up at him, a spark of anger taking the place of the coldness in her gut.
Arthur shook his head at her look. “Daenae take me words wrongly, Miss Knox. I’m sure ye're a bonny lass, but Murdoch…” He shook his head. “He’s inclined to rush into things, and I fear he may have done ye both a disservice with his impulsiveness. Better to undo it now, than to risk makin’ ye both more unhappy later.”
He might be right, but Lydia felt her throat tighten at the implication that there was no way she and Murdoch could havebeen happy. She tried to swallow the last of her tea, then rose, the rest of her breakfast untouched. “If ye’ll excuse me.”
