Chapter 14

14

A idan did not let go of her hand until they were near the entrance to the castle.

"Supper is over but if ye go to cook, I'm sure she'll have somethin' to fill yer belly."

That was it. That was all he said before he turned and headed away from the castle. Tillie watched him for a moment then was distracted when Paisley ran up to her.

"Are ye alright, Me Lady?" she asked, her eyes wide with concern. "Ye were gone so long, I was about to send scouts to look for ye."

"I am fine, Paisley. The Laird found me, and we… we talked for a while before returnin'."

Tillie felt heat climb from her throat to stain her cheeks. She and Aidan had done a lot more than talk, but she wasn't about to explain that to Paisley.

"Thank the Lord," Paisley exclaimed softly. "I was so afraid somethin' had happened to ye, and it would be all my fault."

Tillie and Paisley headed into the castle, talking quietly. "Nonsense, Paisley. 'Twas my idea and I insisted on bein' alone. Ye are not to blame for anythin'."

The firmness of Paisley's lips told Tillie the maid didn't agree but wasn't going to argue the point, for which she was glad. She didn't want to talk about what had happened at the cliff. Her body still thrummed with… whatever it was, and all she wanted to do was go to her chamber and get her thoughts organized.

Tillies stomach chose that moment to growl. She hadn't eaten a thing today, and now, her belly was protesting. Paisley glanced at Tillie and chuckled.

"Let's get ye to the kitchen."

That night, Tillie laid in bed wondering where her husband was. Was he going to stay away from her this night too? She'd had hours to herself to think about what had happened by the cliff this morning, and she'd come to a decision. She wanted to consummate her wedding. The way Aidan had made her feel was something she wanted to feel again. And explore.

Tillie glanced at the window. It was dark outside, but there was enough moonlight to give the large chamber a silvery glow. It was getting late, and a knot began to form in her stomach at the thought that her husband might choose to sleep elsewhere again.

But then, the door creaked open and light from the hall wall scones spilled into the room. She watched as Aidan crept inside quietly, probably figuring she was asleep. He closed the door then walked into the room. Tillie opened her mouth to let him know she was awake but then snapped it shut when he started disrobing.

His broad chest was the first to be revealed, and Tillie actually felt her mouth water when she caught a glimpse of all those hard muscles highlighted by the moonlight. Next, he untied his hair, and she watched as if mesmerized as the strands fell around his shoulders.

Tillie licked her lips when his hands dropped to his waist, undoing the ties to his trews. Her breath hitched, and her heart started pounding inside her chest. But then his hands paused, and she glanced up toward his face.

"Yer awake," Aidan said, his tone flat.

"Aye," she croaked then cleared her throat. "I wanted to talk to ye."

"Talk." The way he said talk almost made it sound like a curse word. "I'm too tired tonight," he said a bit louder. "Get some sleep."

Sleep? She was wide awake. She was still waiting for him to finish disrobing but was disappointed when he removed his hands from the waist of his trews and walked over to the bed.

The mattress dipped as he climbed onto the bed and pulled the covers over himself, laying on his side with his back to her. It was a clear sign that he wanted to be left alone. Tillie laid there for a short while and gnawed on her bottom lip. She didn't want to disturb him, but she needed to talk to him, too.

"Aidan," she said softly in case he had already fallen asleep. Three heartbeats passed before he answered.

"Sleep," he growled.

"I cannae," she admitted.

"Try harder."

"I have been laying here for hours and haven't been able to. I must get something off my chest."

His sigh was so loud it filled the room. He flipped onto his back and stared up at the ceiling. "Yer not goin' to let me get to sleep until ye say whatever it is ye have to say, are ye?"

Tillie nodded then realized he might not have seen the motion. "Aye. It's just that…" She paused. Now that he was here with her, she didn't know how to express what she was feeling.

"Out with it, Tillie, so I can get some sleep."

Tillie flinched at his harsh tone but wasn't deterred. "Why did ye not come back to our chamber last night?"

There, I asked. Not as dignified as I would have liked, but he is being so surly.

He turned his head to look in her direction then turned on his side to face her, propping himself up on a forearm.

"Are ye sayin' ye wanted me to?" he countered.

Tillie had run this conversation over and over in her mind while she'd waited for Aidan. Out of all the possible ways he could have responded, she'd not expected this. And she wasn't sure how to answer.

"'Tis yer chamber," she said finally.

"Aye. And 'tis yers now, too."

"And 'twas our weddin' night," she prompted.

"Aye."

Lord have mercy; the man is frustrating!

She waited a full minute, but he said nothing else. Irritated, she snapped, "Never mind," and flopped onto her side, giving Aidan her back. She felt the bed shift as he turned onto his side again. She lasted less than a minute before she bounced back to her side.

"Nay, I need yer answer," she said.

Aidan flipped back around, so they were facing each other. "Christ woman, make up yer mind. I'm startin' to rethink my decision to have ye moved into me chamber."

Tillie ignored his sharp tone. "Why did ye not come back to our chamber last night?" she insisted.

"If I tell ye, will ye stop flappin' yer gums at me and let me get some sleep?"

She bristled at the insult but answered him anyway. "Aye. If ye tell me the truth," she qualified.

"Because ye were weeping."

Tillie blinked and tried to make out his features in the glow of the moonlight.

"Ye dinnae return because I was cryin'?"

"I dinnae like it when women cry," he said irritably.

She digested that for a few seconds then asked, "Will ye be leavin' every time I shed a tear?"

"Do ye weep that much then?"

"I'll have ye ken I rarely cry," Tillie said, raising her chin with pride. "I am usually a very happy person."

"'Tis good to hear. Now make me happy, and let me get some sleep."

The next morning, Tillie woke up, and Aidan was already gone. It had taken her a while to get to sleep last night. She had laid in bed for what had felt like hours listening to her husband's soft snores until she'd finally fallen asleep. Although, she was a little tired now, she felt energized. She had big plans for the day and couldn't wait to get started.

After attending to her morning toilette, Tillie dressed herself and left her chamber. Paisley had just rounded the corner, her eyes widening in distress when she saw Tillie.

"Me Lady! Is somethin' wrong?" she asked urgently.

"Nay, Paisley. I am just anxious to start my day. And ye can help me."

"Oh, nay, Me Lady! Not another walk in the woods!"

Tillie laughed, the tinkling sound echoing down the hallway. "Nay. Today I am going to start putting this castle into shape." She almost smiled at the way Paisley visibly relaxed.

"Where shall we start?"

"With Phillip, of course. He has not been keepin' up with his duties and it shows."

Paisley huffed. "Ye ain't likely to see that one in a hurry to lift a finger."

"Well, he can be replaced."

Paisley's mouth dropped open in shock then she slapped her leg and laughed. "I just ken I was goin' to like ye!"

They found Phillip where he'd been the last time, resting on hay in the stables. Tillie cleared her throat to get his attention, and he quickly sat up. Straw stuck out of his hair and his shirt had stains from at least a couple of meals. She could smell the stench of stale ale on him before she even got close enough to touch him.

"Me Lady," he grumbled. He didn't look pleased to see her.

"Please round up some older boys from the village," Tillie instructed, watching with amusement as his eyes widened in surprise. "Then put them to work in the great hall cleaning the soot off the walls and ceiling."

Tillie was amazed at how round Phillip's watery blue eyes grew as she gave him his orders. His already flushed cheeks from too much drink grew even redder. Once he was over the shock of her daring to give him orders, Phillip's eyes narrowed, and he started chewing on the corner of his red mustache.

"Before you do anythin' else, though," she continued, "clean your face and change yer clothes."

He gaped at her then glanced down at his stained shirt. "What be wrong with what I'm wearin'?"

"'Tis filthy. Ye are steward for the Laird. Ye should always be presentable."

Tillie turned on her heel to leave the stables but paused to look over his shoulder.

"Dinnae forget about the boys from the village. I want to see them workin' in the great hall by dinner."

Paisley couldn't hold her laughter until they left the stable. She slapped a hand over her mouth, but her chuckles echoed, and Tillie was sure Phillip had heard.

"Ye set him on his arse, Me Lady," Paisley laughed as they headed back into the castle. "But I think mayhap ye made an enemy there."

Tillie shrugged. "It cannae be helped. 'Tis the steward's duty to keep the castle runnin', and Phillip has done a very poor job of it."

"Aye, but no one has had the courage to stand up to him. Mostly, I ken people see the Laird has not taken him to task, so he must not be upset by it."

Tillie didn't say anything. She knew Aidan had been negligent, but she hadn't quite figured out why and felt it wasn't appropriate to discuss such matters with Paisley.

They continued for the next few hours going through the castle, one room at a time. Tillie made suggestions to the servants and mentally made a list of all the other things that needed addressing. When they came to a room with a closed door, one she hadn't seen yet, Tillie started to open it, but Paisley stopped.

"Nay Me Lady. Not this chamber."

Tillie raised her eyebrows in surprise. "What is wrong with this room?"

Paisley shook her head, a touch of sadness clouding her green eyes. "'Twas the Laird's previous wife's room."

Tillie was confused. "And no one has yet to remove her things?"

Paisley shook her head.

"How is the Laird supposed to move on if his wife's things are kept around to torment him?" Tillie didn't wait for a response and opened the door, somewhat surprised it wasn't locked.

She heard Paisley's sigh behind her but ignored it and stepped inside. The musty smell of an enclosed space that had gone too long without being aired out smacked Tillie in the face. She went to the windows, pulled the cloth aside, and opened them.

"There may be some keepsakes the Laird may wish to have, so until I talk with him, we will leave the smaller things alone," Tillie explained. "But we can definitely change the bed coverings and have one of the upstairs maids scrub the floors."

Paisley's eyes suddenly widened, and she looked alarmed.

"What is the matter?" Tillie asked.

"What the hell do ye think ye are doin'?" Aidan bellowed, and Tillie spun around to find him standing just inside the chamber, his face a molted red with anger.