Page 24 of Bound to a Scot (Sins in a Kilt #2)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

T he ensuing few days unfolded much the same way. Burchard had whipped everybody into a frenzy getting the castle cleaned and prepared for the coming wedding announcement feast, although it hadn’t escaped Emmeline’s notice that he had yet to set an actual date for it. And through it all, Burchard had made sure to put her together with Maddox, working in close quarters. It had left her completely confounded.

Eventually though, Emmeline had come to realize what was really going on. Burchard always had ulterior motives, and his actions always had an agenda. This was no different.

“Is he watchin’ then?” Maddox asked.

“Of course, he is,” she replied softly. “He’s always watchin’.”

She and Maddox sat at table together at the far end of the great hall taking their afternoon meal. They had spent the morning doing the menial chores Burchard had tasked them with, chores the servants could have done. Emmeline had never shied away from rolling her sleeves up and getting her hands dirty. She was not afraid to work. What bothered her about it was that Burchard had them doing those things while he watched them from afar, as if he was expecting something to happen between them and was just waiting for it.

Emmeline had to admit her growing attraction to Maddox. Putting them in close quarters was only fanning those flames that burned between them. It was what confounded her the most about what Burchard was doing. It was as if he’d sniffed out the feelings that were developing and was deliberately forcing them into situations that might tempt them into doing something more. What she didn’t know was why he was doing it.

“What dae ye think he’s hopin’ tae get out of this?” Emmeline asked. “Is he just tryin’ tae make us uncomfortable?”

“Daes workin’ with me make ye uncomfortable?”

“Ye ken ‘tis nae that,” she replied softly.

Emmeline’s cheeks flushed and she looked down at the table. She swallowed hard, trying to get rid of the lump in her throat. What should have been a simple answer to a simple question was anything but. It wasn’t working with Maddox that made her uncomfortable. It was the feelings she had for him, which were growing and getting stronger by the day. And working in such close quarters with him was only exacerbating the situation.

She raised her gaze and when she saw the subtle smirk flickering across his lips, she knew he was teasing her. That he knew why she was so flummoxed by the whole situation. She knew his feelings for her were every bit as strong as hers were for him. She could see it in his eyes. She could see it in the lingering looks he gave her, as well as the weight of the unspoken words that pressed down on them both. A weight so heavy, it felt like she was being crushed beneath it.

She’d done what she had promised herself she’d never do… she’d let herself come to care for a man. A man she could never have. And knowing that hurt her more deeply than she’d ever anticipated it could. Her only solace was knowing Maddox was hurting just as much as she was, and that she was not alone in her frustration. Being so close to something you wanted so badly, but not even being able to touch it, was maddening.

“I dinnae ken why he’s doin’ this tae us,” she said.

“Yer husband?—”

“Please. Dinnae call him that.”

“’Tis what he is,” he replied evenly.

“Aye. Daesnae mean I like tae be reminded of it though.”

A sympathetic expression touched Maddox’s face, and he nodded. “Aye. I’m sorry.”

“’Tis alright.”

“All I was sayin’ is that Burchard isnae a stupid man,” he said gently. “He can obviously see what we feel?—”

“Things we shouldnae be feelin’. I’m married and ye’re goin’ tae be.”

Maddox frowned but nodded. “Aye,” he said softly. “Ye’re right. I ken ye’re right. I dae. It’s just—I cannae turn off what I feel.”

“Neither can I. But we have tae find a way. This is madness and we’re only hurtin’ ourselves—and each other, Maddox.”

He sighed heavily and his shoulders slumped as the weight of her words seemed to settle down over him. His features darkened and his eyes filled with a sadness blended with frustration. It was a feeling Emmeline could relate to all too well.

“What are we goin’ tae dae about it then?” he asked.

She shook her head. “I dinnae ken. Especially nae if he keeps forcin’ us tae work together.”

Despite knowing they shouldn’t be in such close quarters with each other, the thought of not being so near to him sent a lance of pain through her heart. Emmeline felt damned if she did and damned if she didn’t. She was in hell, and it was all Burchard’s doing. It made her believe that Maddox was right, that Burchard knew about their feelings for each other and was just tormenting them. But again, she didn’t know to what end.

“Ye ken what I think?” Maddox asked.

“I’m sure ye’re goin’ tae tell me.”

He chuffed. “I think Burchard wants tae catch us doin’ somethin’. ‘Tis why he’s always puttin’ us together like this and watchin’ us like a hawk. ‘Tis like he’s hopin’ somethin’ will happen.”

“But fer what reason?”

“That, I dinnae ken. But he seems like a man who enjoys playin’ with people… puttin’ people in uncomfortable positions just tae amuse himself.”

Emmeline nodded. “Aye. That’s true.”

She glanced over at Burchard and when she found him staring back at her, eyes cold, face tight, she felt her face grow warm and her stomach turn over on itself. She took a quick swallow of wine to wash the lump down and tried to gather her wits. There was something evil in the way he looked at her and it sent a cold chill down her spine. Burchard was a cruel man. He seemed to take great pleasure in making her life hell, but through all the torment, the verbal and emotional abuse, she had never truly feared him. Not until she saw the look he’d just given her.

Emmeline was well used to his hard gazes and accusatory eyes. But she had never seen the sort of dark, burning rage and promise of retribution she’d just seen. There was something sinister in the way he’d stared at her. Something that made her think, for the first time since they’d been wed, that it would make him happy to not only see her dead but to be the one to wield the blade that took her life.

“Are ye all right?” Maddox asked.

“Aye,” she replied, her voice quavering as she fought to keep from looking back at Burchard. “I’m fine. Let’s just finish our meals and get on with our tasks.”

Maddox’s eyes lingered on her, concern etched upon his features. But he lowered his gaze back to his plate and turned back to his meal.

The tension, however, was growing thicker. It was cloying and made it difficult for her to breathe. She wanted nothing more than to run from the hall and lock herself away in her bedchamber. She wanted to get away from Maddox’s longing eyes and Burchard’s baleful looks. She wanted to shut the entire world out.

But she did nothing. She remained where she was and Then, Emmeline felt the oppressive presence of Burchard approaching long before he arrived. It felt like the air had become stifling—heavy and charged with the potential for destruction. She looked up as he stepped over to them.

“I trust yer meals are fillin’ yer bellies sufficiently,” he said.

“Aye, me laird,” Emmeline replied demurely.

“’Tis very fine fare,” Maddox agreed. “Thank ye again fer yer hospitality.”

He waved the man off with a magnanimous look on his face. “Think naethin’ of it. Ye’re soon tae be me son in law, after all.”

“Aye,” Maddox replied softly.

“I just wanted tae let ye ken that I’ll be away on clan business soon,” he told them.

“Where are ye goin’ then?” Emmeline asked.

“Away on clan business,” he replied coldly. “I expect that I’ll be away fer several days.”

“Is there anythin’ I can dae tae help, Laird Macfie?” Maddox asked.

“Aye. Ye can stay here and oversee the preparations fer yer engagement feast,” he replied. “I’ve left a list of things that need tae be done with Laith, so ye can see him fer that.”

Maddox inclined his head. “Of course. It’d be me pleasure.”

“Emmeline, I need ye tae go intae the village. Go and see Myra. She should have Cecilia’s dress ready by now.”

“I can have one of the servants go and fetch it,” she said.

“I asked ye tae dae it,” he snapped. “If I’d wanted one of the servants tae go and fetch it, I would have told one of the servants tae go and fetch it.”

Emmeline lowered her gaze. “Of course. Apologies, me laird.”

He sighed. “’Tis me daughter’s weddin’ dress. I dinnae trust anybody else tae fetch it fer me.”

It was a rare explanation from the man, he usually gave orders and simply expected that they’d be followed. And she supposed it made sense, but that didn’t mean she liked being ordered about. Nor did she like the reminder of Cecilia—and Maddox’s—pending nuptials. Wanting to avert any more trouble with Burchard though, Emmeline nodded.

“Of course. I’ll see tae it, me laird,” she said.

“Very good,” he said imperiously.

Burchard stood at the table, eyeing them both closely, his face tight, his expression dark.

“All right,” he said. “I need tae make me preparations. Enjoy the rest of yer meal.”

He turned on his heel and marched away as Laith, the tall, pale man with the ever-watchful eyes, who never failed to unsettle her, followed behind his master like a malevolent specter. Something was in the air, something dangerous was brewing. She wasn’t sure what it was just yet, the picture was not clear, but Emmeline got the sense Burchard was laying some sort of trap and if she wasn’t careful, she’d blindly stumble into it.