Chapter 6

6

T illie was both furious and devastated.

She was so shocked by his answer, she couldn't even speak. To think, her own parents had given her to a man who cared about nothing more than getting heirs off her! Even though that was common for many women whose parents made wedding arrangements based on what the alliance could bring them, she had thought her parents were different. She had thought they knew her. She had thought they had loved her!

Tillie felt tears burn behind her eyes, but she blinked rapidly in an attempt to hold them at bay. Everyone in her family, and at MacFair Keep for that matter, knew her feelings about marriage. She wanted to marry for love. She wanted her husband to love and respect her. Yet, her parents had sold her to Laird MacLuther!

The Laird hadn't even blanched or had the good grace to look uncomfortable when he boldly told her he had basically purchased her like cattle. He was only looking for a broodmare, someone to give him heirs. He had no interest in her in any other way, and the realization really stung.

Fury and hurt warred within her. Tillie clenched her fists at her sides, opened her mouth, but then shut it again. She wasn't sure what she wanted to say, but the urge to yell at him was like a living thing within her, demanding to be let out. When he only stood there, looking at her as if what he had just said was nothing more important than discussing the color of the sky, her resolve dissolved.

"So, ye see me as naught but a breeding animal." Tillie was proud her voice had been strong. With the hot tears threatening to spill from her eyes, she'd expected it to be quivering.

The Laird raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Procreation," he said in an inquisitive tone, as if that was the only explanation in the world for him. "Isnnae that the reason men and women get married? To have children?"

Tillie raised her chin. "Nae me."

At least she'd managed to provoke a different response other than indifference out of him. His eyebrows rose so high on his head, they nearly disappeared beneath his dark hair. His mouth dropped open slightly before he snapped it shut again. Tillie had the feeling the Laird didn't let his emotions show very often.

"Ye dinnae want wee bairns of yer own?" His tone was incredulous which made sense.

"Nay, Me Laird. I dinnae."

He scrubbed a hand down his jaw and studied her face for a long moment. "Why?" he finally asked.

Tillie wasn't prepared for the question even though she realized it was a natural response to her declaration. She thought about it for a minute as she tried to decide how best to answer him.

"Ye know of the Kilmartins and their … uh, fertility." Tillie didn't wait for him to answer. He'd already mentioned he was aware of the Kilmartins' ability to have a litter of children. "I dinnae want to be like them. I dinnae want a castle full of wee bairns."

That was part of the truth, but there was more to it than that. However, she didn't feel comfortable laying her fears out on the table to her betrothed. The truth was, Tillie was afraid of getting pregnant. With the ease the Kilmartins got with child, she'd seen her fair share of women in childbirth, but more importantly, she'd been surrounded by her kin's children and helped raise them. She wanted to enjoy life and not be tied down by more children.

Tillie wanted more out of life. She wanted to travel and explore and paint. She wanted to live, not spend her years having and raising children. She blinked away her thoughts and stared at the Laird. He was staring back with the strangest expression. It looked at her as if she'd grown horns on her head. He didn't have a chance to respond, though, because a man came into the chamber and drew his attention.

"Me Laird," the man greeted. He shot a brief glance at Tillie then looked back at her betrothed. "The council has requested yer presence."

The Laird didn't take his eyes of Tillie, still studying her as if she were some kind of oddity, when he nodded.

"I will be there shortly, Hector," the Laird said.

The man, Hector, nodded and left the bed chamber. Tillie stood uncomfortably, waiting for her betrothed to say something. He watched her for another long minute before speaking.

"I find that hard to believe, lass." His voice was softer than she'd ever heard, and he didn't sound angry. Just bemused.

"But 'tis the truth," Tillie insisted. "I'm afraid ye chose the wrong bride."

Aidan's gaze traveled slowly over her body, from head to toe and back up again, pausing on her hips and breasts. Tillie stiffened and tried not to react, but it was as if his eyes had physically touched everywhere they landed on her body. Especially her breasts which now felt full and aching.

"I dinnae think so," Aidan said. His voice was velvet smooth and only added to Tillie's discomfort. She shifted to her other foot and cleared her throat.

"Ye want bairns, I dinnae." Tillie was having a hard time concentrating. Her gaze kept traveling over Aidan's body, much like he had done to her. They landed on his lips, and she found herself wondering how they would feel pressed against hers. A tingle of excitement sped through her veins, and she brought her fingers up to her mouth, as if she could actually feel his mouth on hers.

"I will give ye a month."

Tillie blinked and jerked her gaze back to his knowing eyes. The corner of his mouth quirked up slightly, and she had the mortifying thought that Aidan had been aware of her gawking at him.

"A month?" she said, then cleared her throat.

What was it about this man that so intrigues me? One minute, I'm arguing with him, and the next, I'm wondering what it would be like to kiss him.

His smile grew wider. "I will give ye a month to change yer mind about havin' bairns."

"I haven't changed me mind in all me years, why would ye think I will in a month?"

Aidan stepped forward, closing the distance between them, and cupped her chin with a thumb and forefinger. He leaned forward until she could feel his warm breath then said, "This."

Before Tillie knew what he was going to do, his lips were on hers. Her eyes widened for a second but then slid closed as sensations unlike anything she'd ever experienced flowed through her. His lips brushed hers once. Twice. Then he leaned back slightly as if giving her time to change her mind. When Tillie didn't pull away, Aidan leaned in again and kissed her.

Her hands fluttered uselessly at her sides while every nerve in her body seemed to come alive at once. His lips were much softer than she'd expected, warm and masterful. She felt the touch all the way to her toes and nearly groaned when he stepped back, ending the kiss.

His mouth settled next to her ear, and he whispered, "I have to go to this meetin', but I will see ye at supper."

Tillie watched him leave, unable to move or say anything. She could only feel. Her fingers rose to her mouth, and she gently caressed her lips where he'd touched her. The kiss, her first, had been quick but so powerful.

Two male servants came to the chamber, distracting Tillie. They didn't say anything, but she noticed they carried her belongings, including her painting supplies. After setting everything down, they turned and left the room, still without a word.

She watched them with a bemused expression. Was everyone so gloomy and quiet at Castle Geamnaben? She'd barely had that thought when a young woman bustled into the chamber. She had a bright smile on her face, the first Tillie has seen since arriving at the castle, and she held a pile of linens in her arm.

"Me Lady," she exclaimed. "I dinnae ken the Laird was bringing a guest, or I would have had yer chamber ready for ye. I'm Paisley, yer maid. Ye just let me ken if ye need anythin'."

Tillie nodded and started to introduce herself, but the maid continued, "I brought fresh linens for yer bed, and I told staff to bring up some refreshment fer ye. Oh!" she exclaimed, looking at the large hearth along the wall. "Nay one tended to the hearth? I will take care of that right away."

Tillie watched in fascination as Paisley abandoned her attempts at making the bed and rushed over to the hearth. Kneeling, she quickly stacked wood and got a fire going then rushed back to the bed to finish putting on fresh linens. The woman was moving so fast and kept up a continuous conversation, mostly about nonsensical things such as the weather, it was difficult to follow.

"Paisley?" Tillie asked when there was finally a pause in the maid's excited chatter. She turned to look at Tillie, a wide smile still on her face. "My name is Tillie. Tillie Kilmartin of MacFair."

Paisley nodded. Her bright red hair was pulled back in a knot that had come loose during her activities. She had light green eyes, pale skin with freckles dotted around her nose, and was a little taller than Tillie.

"Word travels fast here," Paisley said with a grin. "At least among us staff. Yer to be the Laird's new wife. 'Tis happy I am to see His Lairdship movin' on. 'Tis time this old castle got a lady in it who will give it the care and love it deserves. Same goes for the Laird." She winked and shot Tillie a knowing grin then returned her attention to the bed.

Tillie inwardly grimaced. The thought of trying to restore the castle was daunting, but she looked forward to the challenge.

Another maid, this time an older woman with black hair and light brown eyes, carrying a platter of food, walked into the chamber. Paisley grinned and directed the maid to the side table by the hearth.

"Just set yer burden down there," Paisley said. "Me Lady, this is Maven. She works upstairs and will be able to get ye fresh linens and other things ye may need for yer chamber. Maven, greet yer new lady, Tillie Killmartin."

Maven's eyes widened slightly at being called out, but she quickly curtsied and mumbled a greeting.

"I am not yer lady yet," Tillie said quietly, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks.

Paisley just waved a dismissive hand with a smile. "Yet is true. But soon enough, ye will be married to the Laird." She fluffed the pillows then turned, placing her hands on her thin hips. "How about a nice, hot bath?"

Tillie almost groaned aloud. That was the best offer she'd had in… well, it seemed like a lifetime. After days traveling with nothing more than a quick wash in rivers and streams when they stopped, a nice soak in the bath sounded like Heaven.

She nodded, but it didn't seem to matter. Paisley must have already ordered the bath because several servants came in with steaming buckets of water. Paisley directed them to drag the tub over in front of the hearth and then to fill it with a mixture of hot and cold water.

At some point, Maven had snuck out unnoticed. Tillie moved over to the small stand where the maid had left refreshments. Her mouth watered as her gaze traveled over the salt beef, a round of cheese, a warm biscuit, and ale. She broke off a piece of cheese and popped it in her mouth while Paisley moved to her trunks and started unloading them.

Tillie felt uncomfortable, as if she should be helping Paisley, but she was so hungry, and the food was incredible. By the time Paisley had finished unpacking her clothes, Tillie had nearly polished off the platter of food.

"There now," Paisley said with a grin as she brushed her hands together. "Do ye need help undressing'?"

Tillie shook her head. "Nay, thank ye. This dress was made for travel, so it doesnae need someone to unfasten it."

"Very well then," Paisley said. "If ye dinnae need anythin' else, I will leave ye to yer bath. Supper is at seven. I will come get ye, so ye don't get lost."

Paisley chuckled as she left, closing the door with a soft snick behind her. Tillie sighed and relaxed her shoulders. This was her first true moment of privacy in the past sennight. She looked around her new bed chamber and realized it was actually quite large. A huge bed dominated the center of the room, but there was a dressing area as well that had a nook in it with curved windows of glass. Unlike the other window she'd opened when she first came into the room, this bank of windows was modern.

Tillie walked over to the windows and looked out. The ocean surrounded most of her view, but she could still see the courtyard below and a tower across from her. It was actually very beautiful, and she was suddenly anxious to get her supplies and capture the craggy cliffs and Ocean.

A sound by the door caught her attention, and Tillie turned just in time to see a pair of eyes looking through the crack in the door. She frowned, wondering why it was opened when she had seen Paisley shut it.

"Who is there?" Tillie called out as she walked toward the door. She couldn't tell if the person was a man or a woman since all she could see were eyes, but as soon as she greeted the visitor, the person quickly shut the door.

Tillie shuddered. Someone had been spying on her.