Page 67 of Captured By the Cruel Highlander
“I am to be the next Lady MacNiall, Mrs. Young,” she said firmly. “The Laird couldnae be here, but he is concerned about what ye have been through. I have come to see if I can be of any use. And, if nae, I will convey yer wishes to him in person.”
Mr. and Mrs. Young raised their eyebrows at one another, and Mrs. Young’s fiery expression cooled somewhat.
“The Lady of MacNiall Castle, is it?” she said in astonishment.
“Nae quite yet, Mrs. Young, but I will be soon.”
Emily knew that explaining the circumstances of their marriage would only confuse things further, but calling herself the Lady of Adam’s clan felt right. It was a startling realization.
“Will ye show us around, at least?” she asked. “I’ll do whatever I can. Mr. Moore has told me some of what ye have been through, and I am here to listen to ye.”
Emily had been holding her hand out in greeting for so long thatshe was about to retract it when one of the twins stepped forward and shook it.
“Ye’re very welcome, M’Lady,” he said, blushing up to his hairline as his mother tsked loudly.
“Off with ye—the both of ye! Go and see to yer sisters.”
The two young men hurried away, and Mrs. Young’s steely gaze landed on Emily once more.
It was clear that she was the head of the family. Mr. Young might be the father they all needed to earn a living, but this woman was in charge.
“I cannae say I expected this, but I am pleased ye have come. I have some slices of cake if ye’d like. Ye’ve had a long journey.”
“Why dinnae ye show us the repairs that need to be done, and then I would very much like to try yer cake, Mrs. Young. What kind is it?”
“Seed cake, M’Lady.”
“Do ye have some honey to go with it?” she asked.
Mrs. Young’s face split into a grin. She looked at her husband. “I kenned the Laird had some sense in him. Chosen a good wife for himself, he has. Come along, lass, I’ll show ye around.”
She bustled back toward the main building, pointing out the issues they were having with the roof. Emily followed behind her, Lucas dawdling in their wake.
She wasn’t sure why, but the councilman and Mr. Young deferred to the ladies throughout the afternoon, and neither man said very much at all.
Emily was convinced that if Adam were there, he would capitulate. She looked across the fields separating the cottages and felt a chill at the sight of shadowy figures in the distance working the farm. One wrong turn, one bad thought late at night, and the Youngs could find themselves without a home.
Surely, Adam would agree that this can be a solution? He cannae wish his people to suffer, even if only one farm is affected.
She turned back in the direction of the castle, wishing Adam were with her, but it was too late now. She had come to make a difference, and she would have to forge ahead alone.
24
When Adam and Doughall returned from their long ride, the tension between them had faded.
It was not the first disagreement they had ever had, and it would not be the last. Nevertheless, Doughall’s warning had unsettled Adam, and he was eager to see Emily to reassure himself that she understood the arrangement they had agreed to.
As they trotted through the castle gates, he stiffened when he saw Donal Barclay and his mother standing in the courtyard, waiting for him.
Adam dismounted, leaving Doughall to direct the stable boy, and approached, frowning at them both.
“What’s the matter?” he asked, knowing there must be something amiss if his mother and his councilman were waiting for his return.
“Yer wife has gone to meet the Youngs,” Barclay snapped, looking incensed.
Adam glanced at his mother, who seemed uncertain, but her lips were pursed in disapproval.
Thick as thieves, these two. Anyone would think they were conspirin’ against me.
