Page 23 of The Laird's Unwanted Wife
“I daenae want them to come,” Mollie pouted, slumping down in her chair as she crossed her arms against her chest. “They were never nice to us. They daenae deserve to have fun with us today!”
Gerald offered a sympathetic smile. The sight alone almost made Aileen forgive him for last night’s confusion. “Aye, that’s one bad thing about being the pack leader, lamb. Ye have to ensure all yer members play nice together, even the ones ye daenae like. And since yer sister will be marrying me, I’ll be in control of both of the clans.”
Mollie made a terrifically sour face. “Cannae ye just send them away? They should be forced to leave their homes, just like we had to.”
“Mollie,” Aileen began, only for Gerald to answer first.
“I ken ye’re angry with them, lamb. I daenae blame ye for it.” He exhaled slowly, appearing as if he were genuinely trying to wrangle in his own anger as well.
“But if ye simply strike back at the man who hurt ye, the world will be full of violence. More often than not, it’s a pack leader’s job to rise above it all. As much as ye want to send the MacGunns away, it wouldnae solve the problem. If anything,” he added with a serious note. “It’ll only let them fester in their own anger. Then, they’d plot and plan to hurt ye back, and ye would do the same in return.”
“It would be an endless, miserable cycle,” Aileen concluded softly.
“Yer sister’s right.” Gerald then stood from his spot, rounding the table to ruffle Mollie’s hair. She let out a startled squeal, grabbing the Laird’s hand as he let out a light chuckle. “So, it’s up to us lairds to make sure ye daenae get stuck in said cycle, and that starts by rising above yer own hurt.”
Mollie made a slight face, but the smile persisted behind it. “All right, Gerald. I’ll try to remember that.”
“It’s all right if ye daenae,” Gerald said. “Because I will always be happy to remind ye.”
“And Leelee will, too!” Mollie giggled.
Aileen caught the Laird staring her way, his soft smile sending a wave of heat across her face. Even now, after her poking and prodding, he was able to compose himself and speak to her sister in a dignified manner. Gods be damned, but he was making itincrediblydifficult to stay cross with him. “Aye, Mollie. Of course I will. We both will.”
Someone new cleared their throat, and everyone’s attention turned toward the dining room’s archway, Ms. Blair standing in attention beneath. “Pardon me, Laird and Lady MacLiddel. But it seems the party from MacGunn’s old territory has returned. They seemed to have successfully found the maid ye were requesting, me Lady.”
“Sarah’s here!” Mollie squealed, nearly falling out of her chair as she sprinted across the room. “Sarah’s here, Sarah’s here!”
Bannock barked excitedly, knocking Mollie’s chair over completely as she took off after Mollie. The pair vanished beneath the archway, Ms. Blair making a slight face as she followed after them.
“Suppose that means we’ll be married today after all, sweet wife,” Gerald said nonchalantly.
Aileen gritted her teeth into a smile. “Aye. I suppose we will be, dear husband.”
12
Sarah arrived with very little fanfare from the kinsfolk living within MacLiddel keep. Mollie, however, made it seem as if she were the long-lost sister of some great clan, with the way she sprinted across the freshly powdered ground to greet her. Aileen couldn’t help but smile brightly at Mollie’s giggling squeals, immediately throwing herself into Sarah’s arms the moment she dismounted her horse.
“Gracious! I’m happy to see ye too, Mollie.” Sarah then immediately turned to Aileen, her own smile filled with relief. “I’m happy to see ye as well, Aileen.”
“Likewise, Sarah,” Aileen said.
Once further greetings were exchanged, Aileen immediately led Sarah into the castle proper, crossing paths with Gerald as they approached the front entrance. “Gerald,” Aileen began, taking Mollie into her arms. “This is Sarah Anderson, former housekeeper within MacGunn’s territory.”
Gerald’s brow rose as Sarah offered a bow in respect. “Housekeeper? Aileen failed to mention that part.”
“It was a more recent promotion, me Laird,” Sarah replied politely. “I only just now informed Lady Aileen.”
“Unfortunate timing, what with yer previous laird’s betrayal of the other major lairds,” Gerald continued. “I cannae imagine yer very pleased to be placed back down to the rank of simple maid.”
Aileen’s eyes widened, a nervous knot beginning to form in her stomach. It was obvious what Gerald was trying to do, and while it made perfect sense for him to probe Sarah regarding her loyalties, it still felt horribly wrong. She opened her mouth to defend her friend, only for Sarah to beat her to it.
“Aye, it was admittedly upsetting to discover me former laird’s underhanded treachery.” Again, Sarah offered a bow, this time adding a curtsy and a hint of roughness to her voice. “While I did enjoy the comforts and new responsibilities that came with the title of housekeeper, I would much rather serve in a lower position to a laird who has his honor. Especially one who has so graciously cared for me dear friends.”
Aileen turned back to Gerald, her nerves jangling and the cold skittering across her skin. He seemed to stare at Sarah for what felt like forever, with an unreadable, stone-set expression on his face. It was only when Mollie let out a boisterous sneeze that he seemed to snap out of his laird’s demeanor.
“Ah, apologies, Mollie. Ye ran out so fast, ye didnae have time to take a coat.” Gerald stepped aside, gesturing within the keep. “Go on and find a hearth to warm yerself next to, then find Ms. Blair and get into yer dress for the wedding.”
“All right!” She wiggled free from Aileen’s grasp, scurrying under the door’s arch with Bannock trotting behind. She then paused, looking back at Sarah curiously. “Come on, Sarah! I want to show ye how pretty me dress is! It’s way better than the one Laird Carswell picked for us.”
