Page 37 of Captured By the Cruel Highlander
“And how did ye resolve it?” Lucas asked Emily.
Adam looked down the table at him with some irritation, as did many others.
Me own council is askin’ her for advice now? I am standin’ right here!
“It doesnae matter what Clan Wilkinson did,” he spat. “Do I look like Laird Wilkinson?”
Emily recoiled at that, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at him furiously.
The rest of the council had returned their attention to Adam, and he picked up the paper and waved it at them.
“If we own their lands, then they areMacNiallcitizens now. That is the end of any discussion on the subject. We will treat them as we expectourpeople to be treated. I want food and supplies sent to them immediately. Ensure they have enough clothing for the winter and fix their homes if they have been damaged. I want a report in a week.”
“Ye should meet with them in person,” Emily piped up.
Adam’s hand tightened around the paper. This was beyond bearing now. She was interrupting him in front of his whole council and making him look like a fool. For once, he wished he had listened to his mother.
I cannae order her to leave in front of everyone. I still need her to go along with me plan.
He frowned at her, but she met his gaze with a look of defiance. Barclay was watching them, a smirk on his face.
“And tell the Young family to return,” Adam said to him pointedly. “I will speak to them about the arrangements and any further action that might be needed.”
At that, the council was dismissed, and the men all began to rise and leave the room.
Moira disappeared as quickly as possible, clearly expecting Adam to confront her over her trying to influence things again.
Adam waited for the council members to leave the room and then slammed the door shut behind them, before spinning around and staring at Emily, rage overtaking him.
“What right do ye have to give orders here?” he growled. “I didnae bring ye here to make me look like a fool.”
“Ye didnaebringme here. Yekidnappedme.”
“Do ye want to see what it’s like to truly be me prisoner? Because I can show ye as soon as ye like.”
“Are ye really goin’ to tie me up in yer dungeons just because I made a simple suggestion in front of yer council?”
Adam advanced on her, using his larger body to push her up against the edge of the table. She gasped as he pinned her there, but he realized his mistake as soon as he did it.
If he had backed her against the wall, he could have kept her in place with his hands, but against the table, the only way he could prevent her from moving was to pin her there with his hips.
His arms came around her to bracket her body, and she was forced to lean backward, supporting her weight on her hands, half arched back over the table. It was incredibly arousing, and he was having a hard time keeping his hands to himself.
“Ye arenae the Lady of this castle,” he growled. “Nae yet. Ye have nay authority here, and ye’ll keep yer tongue behind yer teeth.”
The tongue in question darted out and licked her lips, and his eyes couldn’t help but follow it. He pushed further forward as she shuddered beneath him.
It was so reminiscent of the gardens that he had to fight to keep from taking her right there on the table.
“Ye ought to hire a new council,” she said, her voice quivering.
He scoffed. “Och, aye? Ye ken so much about it, do ye?”
“Aye, I was on the Wilkinson council,” she said emphatically, and Adam paused, amazed by that information.
“In place of yer faither?” he asked, his nose almost brushing against hers.
“Nay. Me faither gave me a position when I was eighteen. I ken how a clan should be run and when ye have men loyal to ye. Whoever that man was at the head of the table looked at ye like he hated ye. That isnae someone ye need influencin’ yer council’s decisions.”
