Page 90 of Captured By the Cruel Highlander
“Fine,” she stated firmly. “Why are ye awake? It is barely dawn.”
“I heard what happened from Theo. I havenae slept. I am sure ye havenae either. Is there anythin’ I can do?”
Emily frowned at her.
“Ye are me daughter-in-law now, however much ye may wish ye werenae,” Lady MacNiall insisted. “I protect me family.”
“I ken ye didnae want me to marry Adam—nae really. Ye couldnae stand me when I first came here.”
“I didnaetrustye. But that is nay longer the case,” Lady MacNiall stated. “I heard what ye did with the Young family. That was impressive.”
“Adam doesnae agree with ye.”
“Men never do when they’re wrong.”
Lady MacNiall smiled tenderly. She reached out a hand to Emily, who took it as she led her to two chairs before the fireplace.
“Ye ken that he cares for ye,” she said earnestly.
“I ken nay such thing.”
“If he didnae, ye wouldnae still be here. He wouldnae have gone through with the weddin’. None of this would have taken place at all.”
“Well, perhaps he wishes it hadnae now. I have brought more trouble on his head.”
“He brought that on himself the day he took ye. Can ye nae see that?” Lady MacNiall shook her head. “Me son is many things, but he is nay fool.”
“But he didnae. I was here as a ploy to get Laura back. He was clear about that from the beginnin’.”
“And how many men do ye ken who truly ken their own heart? Me husband swore he would never take a wife, and then we saw each other from across a courtyard, and that put paid to his plans forever. It only takes one spark, Emily, one moment.”
Emily’s mind returned to the silent corridor in the back passages of the castle. Adam’s jacket around her shoulders, his hands coming to rest on her waist as he took her mouth with his.
Ye are a fool if ye trust it.
“All we do is argue with each other,” she replied.
“Somebody needs to disagree with him. He is a strong man and a strong leader, but he doesnae always ken what is best for him.”
Emily shrugged, leaning back in her chair. “Once James Stewart has made himself known, this will all be over.”
Lady MacNiall’s face was pinched, but she nodded.
Emily ran her fingers through her hair as she watched the fire. “I wanted to thank ye,” she said finally, and Lady MacNaill raised her eyebrows. “Ye gave me yer weddin’ dress, and ye have given me yer chambers. It cannae be easy to step aside when a new Lady enters the castle, especially after ye have ruled for so long.”
“I cannae think of a better replacement, Emily,” Lady MacNiall said gently. “Just promise me ye willnae give up on Adam. He will prove himself in time.”
There was a gentle knock on the door as Olivia entered the room. Lady MacNiall stood up to take her leave, but she turned back to Emily with a somber expression.
“I truly hope yer faither is alright and that ye can see him soon. I ken me son is goin’ to do everythin’ he can to protect ye.”
Emily was unsure whether to believe that Adam truly cared or whether he was acting out of guilt. The signet ring on her finger was an unfamiliar weight, and she clenched her fist around it with determination.
Lady MacNiall left her, and Emily approached Olivia. The young girl looked curious as Emily handed her the letter.
“I have written to me faither. I need this letter to be sent to Wilkinson Castle. Get a guard to go with ye. Ye will likely be followed, but I have to ken that they are safe.”
Olivia bobbed a curtsy. “Aye, M’Lady,” she said, taking the letter and clutching it tightly. She looked so terrified at the prospect that Emily frowned.
