Chapter 15

15

" W hat put that bur under yer skin?" Hector asked as he took a long pull of his ale.

Aidan glared at his friend from across the table where they sat at a tavern in town.

"Yer insufferable questions," he snapped.

Truth was, Aidan had not had much sleep last night, despite complaining to Tillie that he wanted to sleep. It had been pure torture having her warm body next to him and not touching her. Especially after the passion he'd tasted on her at the cliff. She had been so much more responsive than he had even hoped, and he'd nearly been undone.

When he thought back to finding her standing so precariously on the edge of the cliff, his heart had nearly hammered out of his chest. Aidan's first thought had been that she was going to throw herself over, like Anne had done. He'd never known such a fear as that and had been desperate to stop her.

And then he'd found himself sprawled across Tillie, her warm, soft body beneath him in the most delicious way. His blood was already running high and having her like that, her breasts pressing against his chest, it was no surprise he'd given in to passion and had kissed her.

"Nay. 'Tis not me making' ye so churlish today. Is it yer new wife?"

Damn Hector. He could be so perceptive at times. Aidan didn't want to tell his friend, who was also a councilmember, about his troubles. The whole reason he had been pushed to take a wife was to beget heirs to continue his line. How could he tell Hector that his wife was adamant against having children?

That was the real reason he had left his chamber on his wedding night. Seeing Tillie weep reminded him of Anne and how unhappy she'd been. So unhappy that she'd taken her own life. It was his duty to make sure his wife was protected, even if from herself. He could not bear it if Tillie were to end her life, too. So, he'd left her alone and had vowed not to touch her. He feared what she would do should his seed take, and she became pregnant.

But damn, it had been difficult to be the gentleman at the cliff. His body demanded he consummate the marriage and battled his conscious that warned he could get Tillie with child.

"Me Laird!"

Aidan blinked his thoughts back into the present and looked up to see his steward, Phillip, standing above him. The older man's thinning blonde hair stuck out all over his head, as if he hadn't smoothed it in weeks. His red beard and mustache were greasy, and his clothes were stained. Aidan frowned at the man's appearance.

"Phillip? What are ye doin' here?"

"Ye must come quick! Yer… wife is in Lady Anne's chamber, and I fear she plans to destroy it!"

Anger and disbelief lodged in his gut. Aidan stood from the table so abruptly that his thighs hit the edge and knocked over the tankards sitting there. The chair legs made a loud scrapping noise as his chair skittered backward.

"Och now, no need to waste perfectly good ale!" Hector chided as he tried to mop up the liquid mess with the sleeve of his shirt.

Aidan said nothing as he stormed out of the tavern with Phillip quick on his heels. Hector followed shortly after, tossing back the last drops of his ale that he'd managed to save when his tankard had been knocked over, and he handed the empty vessel to a barmaid.

They rode to the castle as if being chased. Aidan's stallion enjoyed the exercise, and his breath could be seen in white puffs from his nostrils. Tossing the reins to the stable boy who'd heard their approach and hurried to meet them, Aidan rushed into the castle.

He took the stairs two at a time. He could have used another route that didn't have stairs, such as the hallways with inclined walkways, but this was faster, and Aidan felt an urgent need to stop Tillie before she'd done any damage. He actually felt sick to his stomach, as if he was going to heave this morning's contents at any minute. What did she think she was doing? She had no right going into Anne's room without his permission. And she certainly had no right to change anything there.

Aidan's breath came in great gasps when he finally reached Anne's chamber. He skidded to a halt at the entrance and gaped at Tillie. Her back was to him and a stream of sunlight shone in from the now opened windows.

"What the hell do ye think ye are doin'?" he bellowed.

Tillie spun around. A hand fluttered over her chest, and her almond-shaped green eyes were wide and round with alarm. The maid, Paisley, looked terrified and stepped backward to put some distance between herself and the Laird's ire.

"I was just —"

"Pokin' yer nose where it doesnae belong," Aidan snapped. He was furious. He stood there, hands balled into fists while he forced himself not to look anywhere but at Tillie. He was aware Phillip and Hector had followed and were behind him, but it took all his effort to stay focused on his wife. He did not want to look around Anne's chamber and be reminded of his failure as a husband to protect her.

"Nay, I —"

"I dinnae give ye permission to come into this chamber," he growled. "I dinnae give ye permission to go around changin' everythin'!"

Tillie opened her mouth then pressed it closed, her lips a thin, straight line. Aidan's gaze zipped around the chamber despite his resolve not to. Aside from opening the windows to let some air in, Tillie had not done anything else to the room. Why had Phillip told him she was destroying it?

The chamber had not changed since the day Anne had died. The bed still had the same dusty yellow bed cover smoothed over it. A light blue gown draped over the edge of the bed, put there for Anne to wear later when she returned from her walk. A pair of matching slippers sat waiting on the floor, never to be worn by their mistress again.

"This room is not to be disturbed," Aidan said, his voice a bit calmer now that he saw Anne's room was still intact.

"I willnae come here again," Tillie promised.

Aidan studied her but couldn't decipher her expression. She seemed sincere. Her green eyes met his unblinkingly, but there was something in her gaze that gave him pause. Was it hurt? Was she hurt that he would not let her destroy Anne's chamber?

Well, no matter. This was his castle, and he was laird. His word was law, and wife or not, she would obey his wishes. Everyone knew to leave Anne's chamber alone. No one even dared go in to clean it. How had she not heard of this rule?

"Phillip told me ye have him doin' unnecessary work," Aidan said, changing the subject.

"Unnecessary?" Tillie let out a snort that somehow sounded feminine. Her eyes darted to Aidan's side where Phillip stood. He glanced at the man and frowned at his expression. Phillip looked inordinately pleased with himself and dared to glower at Tillie.

"I have promised not to touch your late wife's room," Tillie continued, "but I willnae stop my efforts to work on the castle."

"Ye will," Aidan ordered. Heat climbed his neck and settled on his ear lobes. How dare she counter him, especially in front of the help. And Hector.

Tillie squared her shoulders and faced him as stubbornly and determined as any man Aidan had encountered. His eyebrows rose in a mixture of pride and surprise. Although she was a small woman, she seemed to have more courage than many a man he knew.

"I willnae," she shot back defiantly. "'Tis my home now, too, and there is much work to be done." She glanced at Phillip again. "Work that should have been seen to by yer steward."

"Ye should listen to her," Hector said in a whisper loud enough for everyone to hear. "She makes a good point. Have ye not noticed the castle's disarray?"

Aidan stiffened but didn't turn back to look at his friend. He heard Phillip huff and mutter something he couldn't make out, but he figured it was a good bet the man did not agree with Tillie's and Hector's assessment.

"'Tis a big castle," Aidan said defiantly although he knew they were correct. Since Anne had died, he had not had the desire nor the care to worry about the state of his home. It was his fault she'd felt so hopeless and had turned to death. He did not deserve to live comfortably and enjoy his life.

"'Tis no excuse, Me Laird," Tillie responded. "Even if ye dinnae give Phillip direct orders, as steward, 'twas his job to make sure the castle doesna fall down around yer ears."

A soft chuckle sounded behind him. Damn Hector and his sense of humor. He was enjoying this.

"I am the one who decides what to fix," Phillip snarled. "The Laird is busy with other duties, and he leaves those decisions to me."

Aidan was about to chastise Phillip for daring to speak to his lady like that, but Tillie beat him to it. And she did so with a smile on her face!

"And now those decision belong to me — with my husband's approval of course."

She looked at Aidan calmly, but the way she held her hands gripped tightly in front of her let him know that she was anything but calm. She was anxious and… hopeful? Her green eyes met his, and he knew Tillie was waiting for him to support her, to take her side over his steward's.

Aidan felt trapped for a moment, but then he thought about it. Hector had said the castle needed attention, and if he thought about it, Aidan realized that regular upkeep had not been seen to under Phillip's watch. Besides, it seemed as though this was important to Tillie, and more importantly, it would make her happy.

Finally, he nodded and turned to Phillip. "Ye will take yer orders from me wife from now on."

Phillip's mouth dropped open, and his face flushed so red, Aidan wondered if he might just collapse on the floor. Obviously, the man foolishly thought Aidan would choose him over Tillie!

"Me Laird!" Phillip gasped. "Surely ye dinna mean —"

"I meant every word," Aidan interrupted.

Aidan was the only one to notice the slight easing of Tillie's shoulders and the way she carefully let out the pent-up breath she'd been holding. She offered a half smile at him then turned her attention to Phillip.

"I do have to insist on one thing from ye, Phillip." Tillie's voice was soft but firm. "When ye are in the castle, ye need to dress appropriately which means clean clothes, face, and hands."

"Laird, are ye goin' to let her order me like this?"

Aidan looked pointedly at Phillip's soiled shirt. He let his gaze travel up to the man's unkept and greasy beard and finally to his just as greasy thinning hair.

"Aye. Especially when I agree."

Phillip sputtered in indignation. Tillie smiled sweetly and walked closer to him.

"Dinnae think of this as a reprimand," she said. "Just think of all the ladies ye will attract with yer clean, handsome self!"

Hector burst out laughing then leaned closer to Aidan. "She is good for you," he whispered. "For you and the clan."