Page 42 of Captured by a Laird
“I didn’t want the women turned out because of me,” she managed to say.
“It was what they deserved.” His eyes burned into her. “Never dispute my decisions before others again.”
***
David hated when Alison looked afraid of him.
“Do not cower,” he commanded her.
Her eyes grew wider still, and though she stood her ground, he could see that it cost her.
“Please,” he said, the word foreign on his tongue, “sit down while I get this fire lit for ye.”
He knelt by the hearth and retrieved his flint from the bag attached to his belt. A wave of tiredness hit him as he leaned over to gather the peat the serving women had spilled on the floor when they saw him. He had not slept much on his wedding night—for the wrong reasons—and none at all the two nights since.
The dramatic raid fed his men’s pride and his reputation, but bringing so many cattle all the way from Tulliallan Castle in stormy weather was a miserable task. And he had returned to the news that his aunt had died of a fever at Dunbar Castle, leaving Robbie and Will’s mother alone in her captivity. All he wanted to do would sleep. Nevertheless, he would get to the bottom of this trouble with the servants now. Ignoring a problem would not solve it.
After he got the fire burning, he settled himself in the chair opposite Alison. She was dressed just as he last saw her, as if no time had passed—in her shift with her feet bare, her hair loose, and a blanket wrapped about her shoulders. This image of her had been his constant companion through the endless hours of riding in the rain and wind, yet the memory did not capture the radiant beauty of the real woman.
How he regretted leaving their bed on their wedding night. He’d had a good reason, but as tired as he was he could not recall it. When Alison fidgeted in her seat, he realized he had been staring at her for some time. He shook his head and forced his mind to the task at hand.
“I’ve seen how the Blackadder servants treat ye, and I’m puzzled how this came to pass,” he said. “Ye carry the blood of chieftains and must have been raised to expect deference.”
Her cheeks flushed and she dropped her gaze to the floor. His intention was not to embarrass her, but neither would her embarrassment deter him.
“Why is it,” he pressed, “that the granddaughter of the famed Bell the Cat, the man who dared to take down a king, is not respected in her own home?”
“My husb—Laird Blackadder—said I failed to inspire the respect of his household because…” She paused and her voice dropped to a whisper. “Because I was unworthy of it.”
“God damn him to hell.” David slammed his fist on the arm of his chair. “I knew it!”
From the way the servants appeared to act out of habit, he had suspected that Blackadder not only failed to require them to accord her proper respect, but had encouraged their disgraceful behavior.
“I’ll not tolerate my wife being disrespected.” He leveled his gaze at her. “If any of the servants give ye difficulty, you’re to tell me.”
“I can’t promise to do that if ye mean to turn them out.”
She licked her lips, a nervous gesture that distracted him so that it was a long moment before he took in her words and realized she was refusing to follow his order.
“Are ye suggesting I excuse their insulting behavior?” he demanded.
“Nay, but frightening the devil out of them is probably sufficient,” she said, glancing at the door through which the maids had fled. “You’re verra good at that.”
If he wasn’t mistaken, the lass was having a wee bit of fun with him. It had been a long time since anyone had teased him.
***
Why in heaven’s name had she not bitten her tongue? That was just the sort of remark that would send Blackadder into a rage. When a smile twitched at the corners of David’s mouth, she breathed a sigh of relief.
“Ye spoke of the servants,” she said, feeling more sure of herself now, “but what about your men?”
His momentary humor vanished, and he narrowed his eyes at her. “What about my men?”
“What if they should disrespect me?”
“They won’t.”
She thought of how Walter and his close companions had mistreated her. “But if they did…”
