Page 58 of Captured By the Cruel Highlander
“Of course,” Emily said softly and knew from Freya’s skeptical look that she didn’t believe her.
“If he’s bein’ a bastard, ye can tell me. I shallnae have him mistreatin’ me friends.”
Emily shook her head. “Dinnae turn on yer family for anyone, Freya,” she said grimly. “They’re all ye have.” Her voice cracked on the words, and Freya’s gaze filled with sympathy.
“James Stewart will be dealt with soon, and ye’ll be able to see yer braither and faither again,” she said kindly.
“Aye, well, it cannae come soon enough.”
“Would ye like to help me with the books to take yer mind off things?” Freya asked. “I can bore ye with me knowledge of how to organize a library.”
Emily chuckled, looking up at the endless shelves. The idea of helping to sort out a jumble of old books appealed to her even more than reading one, and she nodded.
The two women set about the task. Freya’s passion for the library sparked enthusiasm in Emily, distracting her from thoughts of Adam. She chattered constantly about nothing at all, yet everything she said was explained in a way that drew Emily in.
She was a natural storyteller and relished talking about adventures she’d shared with her family. Eventually, the topic turned to Laura and their time together. Freya clearly adored her sister and was devastated by her absence and how James had treated her.
“She was always who I was closest to,” she said as Emily handed her the third dictionary to be placed on the shelves. “Laura could stand up to me maither a lot better than anyone else, even Adam. She wouldnae let her talk down to anyone. Maither has been much worse since Faither passed.”
“Lady MacNiall spoke a little of yer faither when she showed me her chambers. Has she been in mournin’ for a long time?”
“He died over two years ago,” Freya said, but her expression was hard to read. She sighed. “He was away so often, I didnae feel a great deal when he died. I feel guilty for saying it, but it’s true. He was never around much when I was growin’ up, but Adam took it very hard.”
Emily handed her another book. “Were they close?”
“I think so, yes. But as I said, Adam didnae appreciate me faither constantly runnin’ off to war and leavin’ the clan. When he conquered new lands, it would be Adam who had to get thepeople settled. Some battles were smoother than others, many didnae recognize the new leadership, and I think me braither came to resent it after a while.”
Emily’s mind drifted to the Young family and her altercation with Adam in the council chambers.
Perhaps I could do somethin’ to help.Surely, I could show him I am capable of somethin’ other than conceivin’ heirs.
“Adam doesnae like how much influence me maither had over me faither,” Freya muttered.
Emily’s attention immediately sharpened at her words. “How so?”
“Och.” Freya glanced around the library, as though her mother might appear at any moment. “Adam kens that she encouraged it. Even when me faither was growin’ older, she and Barclay were determined to continue to expand the clan’s territories. I suppose ye cannae be a winner if ye dinnae fight for what ye want, but me faither was frail by the end. Me maither is younger than him, and he suffered from illnesses toward the end of his life.”
“I am sorry,” Emily said.
“Adam is a great laird. He loves his people more than anythin’ and wants to be the opposite of me faither. He wants peace, and for that, I am grateful.”
Perhaps he doesnae want me to influence the way he’s seen by them.
Emily contemplated that thought for a little while; it would certainly explain why he had seemed so irritated by her presence in the council chambers.
It was almost midnight by the time they had stacked the full length of one of the shelves.
After their conversation about her parents, Freya had moved on to other topics, regaling Emily with ridiculous stories of her antics with her sister. Emily had cried with laughter more than once.
“Shall we go up the rear passages back to our rooms? I think I can remember the way,” she offered as Freya let out a loud yawn.
“Are ye sure? If we meet a dragon, I am usin’ ye as a shield.”
“If we meet a dragon, it should be afraid of us, nae the other way around,” Emily said forcefully. “Where are yer chambers?”
“Only a little way from yers.” Freya eyed the door uncertainly. “Are ye sure? I have nay sense of direction.”
“I willnae leave yer side. If we get lost, we can make loud noises, pretend the castle is haunted, and scare everyone out of their wits.”
