Page 28 of The Laird's Unwanted Wife
“The Lady of MacLiddel sits beside me,” Gerald growled dangerously. “And ye have nae acknowledged her once amidst this tedious exchange.” That familiar anger bubbled in his chest, and if a long table wasn’t placed before him, Gerald was certain he would have already had the old man’s neck in his hand.
“Of … of course.” Alastair turned fully to face Aileen, still recovering from her sudden choking fit. “I do apologize, Lady MacLiddel. I had falsely assumed ye had nay interest in the topic of discussion.”
No interest in the … was the man completely mad? Aileen could only stare incredulously, her water glass in hand, while she worked to control her breath. What was she even supposed to say in this situation? As far as she was aware, there wouldbeno sheets to showcase, so long as Gerald held to his word. And, even if they were to, by some miracle, sanctify their marriage tonight—but, to be so forward about it?
Already, they are trying to drag me back into me old position,she thought bitterly. One where she quietly sat in her room, and jumped to her feet when they commanded it.
“Ye must think very little of yer intelligence, councilman.”
Aileen blinked, brought back to the conversation at hand. Gerald’s voice was right on the edge of ice; polite enough for those who might overhear, but dreadfully cold toward the oneperson who needed to hear it. And much to her surprise, he was looking directly at her.
“But why continue with assumptions?” the faintest hints of a smirk played across his face. “Sweet wife of mine, do ye have any interest in the conversation at hand?”
Was he including her? Aileen set her cup aside, trying to exude an air of confidence around her. She was Lady MacLiddel; there wasn’t a man in this room who could willingly ignore her anymore. “If I am to be honest, dear husband, I’m feeling quite insulted.”
She was genuinely surprised at how level her tone was; it was invigorating, to say the least. “Not only does the man before me question me capabilities as the new Lady, but he seems to believe this is the time and place to discuss such intimate details.”
“I couldnae agree more, sweet wife.” The smirk Gerald held on his face had Aileen weak in the knees, even though she was sitting firmly in her chair. “One would think ye’re nae knowledgeable about a lady’s duties.”
“Aye, but that cannae be the case.” Aileen turned to Alistair, offering a light chuckle and a polite covering of her mouth. “I wouldnae assume such an esteemed member of our new joint council would be so foolish. Why, one may mistake such actions as a desire to be removed from his position?”
The way the older man’s face paled, the way his face twisted up in panic at her words—this new power was addictive, Aileen realized. And Gerald seemed equally enthused to see her wield it to such devastating effect.
“Nay, of course nae!” Alistar insisted. “I … we wouldnae make such bold assumptions, me Lady. It’s just that we worry this alliance will come apart without proper proof. That after all of this trouble, the Laird willnae?—”
The clink of a sword leaving its scabbard turned the room silent as all the celebrants turned toward the main table. Gerald had long since gotten to his feet, his hand pulling at his weapon’s hilt as fire finally spilled out over into his voice. “Yemustbe daft in the head, to believe there wouldnae be consequences for nae only insulting me wife, but the Laird of this castle.”
Aileen didn’t think it was possible for a man to turn any whiter. And yet, Alistair proved her wrong. He immediately dropped to his knees before Gerald while attempting to stammer some form of apology. It meant very little as, with a nod from the Laird of MacLiddel, a pair of warriors approached the councilman and dragged him to his feet.
“Let it be known that Alistair Barclay is stripped of his title of councilman,” Gerald bellowed. “For disrespecting the sanctity of this union between clans MacGunn and MacLiddel. And for any others who believe themselves above me new wife’s respect …” He pulled his sword out completely, pointing its edge at the remainder of the crowd. “Ye have been warned.”
A great tension pulled itself tightly within the room, with everyone watching the now-blubbering councilman be dragged out the main doors. Eventually, the cautious string of instruments began to fill the room with music, and the celebration began in earnest once more.
Gerald sat back down in his chair, with Aileen unable to look away from him. It was the first time someone genuinely stood for her honor—it was the first timeshecould properly defend herself. And it was all thanks to him; to a man who, for all intended purposes, wanted nothing further to do with her after tonight’s celebration.
15
Though the sounds of laughter and music continued to fill the castle, Aileen had long since retired to her new, shared bedchambers. She lay in the massive bed for what felt like hours, tucking herself tightly under layers of blankets before throwing them all off the bed.
Her indecision continued for what felt like hours, and in that time, the Laird of MacLiddel—her new husband—had not once come to visit her. “He is expected to remain amidst the festivities for quite some time,” Aileen reasoned with herself. “He has to make a good impression on MacGunn’s councilmen.”
Though she was certain an evenbetterimpression would have been following her to bed soon after. Aileen let out a groan, grabbing a pillow and burying her face into it. On the one hand, she was relieved that she wouldn’t be forced to perform her marital duties so soon after meeting Gerald. “But on the other hand …” She sighed lightly. “If we never consummate this marriage …does our contract still hold any weight?”
He’d promised time and time again not to up and abandon her, but those words didn’t mean much to her. Her brother had promised similar stability, and yet, she couldn’t even count on her hands the number of marriage contracts he’d found and broken. All for the sake of stirring up trouble, perhaps?
The thought of having any part in Marcus’ traitorous plans forced Aileen upright. Sleep eluded her completely, and she finally gave up on the idea altogether. Finding a heavy shawl, she wrapped her small frame and slipped out of the bedroom, somewhat surprised to find a guard placed just outside.
“The Laird asked me to come up,” he explained. “To ensure ye were safe amidst this many MacGunns.”
Suppose this shows he cares somewhat for me, Aileen thought. “Is me husband still in the dining hall, then?”
“He mentioned retiring to the wood cellar for the evening, me Lady.”
The wood cellar? Aileen nodded her thanks, though found herself utterly baffled as she made her way down the hall. Was spending the night with her really so distasteful to him?
“He’d rather be among fallen trees than his own wife?” It sounded ridiculous when she said it aloud, and yet, Aileen was certain he believed just that.
It took some navigating, but eventually, she managed to find her way toward the lower sections of the castle. By her luck, Aileen managed to find a candlestick, its soft glow illuminating the dim halls as she climbed farther down the staircase.
