Page 39 of Captured By the Cruel Highlander
“Good day, Lady Emily,” he said politely. “I often come here to enjoy the solitude. I see we are of the same mind.”
Emily glanced around her. It was very quiet; the tapestries along the walls softened any other sounds in the castle, and the beige stone was oddly calming.
“Nay, I am sorry. I didnae mean to disturb ye. I made a wrong turn somewhere,” she said, embarrassed.
“May I show ye to yer chambers, M’Lady? Is that where ye were headed?”
Emily glanced behind her, but there was no use refusing him. She was quite lost. “Aye, that would be appreciated.”
“Do follow me,” he said.
To her surprise, he walked in the opposite direction from where she had come. She followed, looking behind her warily. Theo reached the end of the corridor and lifted one of the tapestries to reveal a door behind it.
Her interest sufficiently piqued, Emily stepped up to it. The door handle was in the shape of a snake, and she frowned at it.
“There are many passageways within the castle walls that will allow ye to reach yer destination much faster if ye just ken where to look,” Theo said with a friendly smile.
“And why are ye showin’ them to me?” she asked.
“Ah. A sound question, M’Lady. Me simple answer is that I believe ye will be with us for some time.”
She frowned at him. “But I am nae really marryin’ the Laird.”
Theodore’s answer was the same gentle smile. “Nay, perhaps ye willnae. But I think I will show ye nonetheless.”
He opened the door to reveal a similar passage behind it, made of the same beige stone. Several torches lit the way—it was clearly used regularly.
Theodore preceded her into the passage, his hands folded elegantly behind his back as he waited for her to follow.
What did he mean?she silently wondered as she walked after him.Does he think I will be here for longer than Adam planned?
The air was thick in the tunnels, and the rough stone beneath her feet scraped against her skirts as she followed him. The thick walls all around them muffled any other sounds, and she could not help glancing behind her every now and again at the darkness.
They emerged sometime later beside the door to her chambers. The shortcut had removed almost ten minutes of traveling between rooms in the main part of the castle.
“Yer chambers, M’Lady,” he said softly. “Ye are welcome to use these passages whenever ye wish.”
Emily frowned at him. “Th-thank ye,” she stammered, unnerved by his knowing look.
Theodore bowed to her and continued on his way.
She could not get used to the man. He was unlike any man-at-arms she had ever met.
As she watched him depart, her eyes were drawn to the other side of the corridor, where a large portrait hung. She had not noticed it before, but it was undoubtedly Adam within the frame. She approached it slowly, her head tilted to the side, contemplating its every detail.
Adam stood before a forest, the Highland colors blazing. His foot was raised on a rock, and his hair hung loosely about his shoulders. A dirk gleamed at his belt—every bit the Laird he had become.
Emily frowned up at him, staring into those familiar blue eyes as the anger from earlier slowly rose within her again. His attitude toward her in the council chambers was nothing she was used to.
Her father and brother had always included her in clan matters, and she was accustomed to her opinions being valued, not dismissed. The most infuriating thing was that she felt hurt by it. She wanted Adam to value her thoughts and ideas.
How does he have such a hold on me already? Why does it matter what he thinks of me? After he kills James, we willnae have to be around one another again.
Whirling around and trying to push away the sting of Adam’s words, she walked quickly up the steps to her room.
She burst through the door, startling the maid who was seeing to the fire.
“Sorry, Olivia,” she said as the girl jumped to her feet. “Ye may continue.”
