Page 112 of Wedded to the Devilish Highlander
“Take all the time ye need,” Archer said. “I dinnae want anyone overworked. Everyone kens what happened here.”
“Aye, Me Laird. And the first of the claymores will be sent to McFair Castle as ye requested.”
“Good man,” he replied. “If ye need anythin’, keep me informed.”
Archer left the forge, glad when the cool air hit him. He spotted Calum waiting for him on the other side of the courtyard and headed to him, passing several guards and servants on the way. He was almost there when his sister appeared before him.
“Are ye still skulkin’ around?” Ivy asked. “She’s been gone for three days, and ye still have a face like a bull that just swallowed a wasp.”
“Och, away with ye,” Archer scoffed. “I’m nae skulkin’ around.”
“Aye?” Ivy raised an eyebrow. “I just saw ye walk past half a dozen people who wished ye a good morn, and ye didnae even notice.”
“Aye, well, I’m busy with other things,” Archer said. “With all the betrayal, we’re short everywhere, and I need to rectify that. Isnae that right, Calum?”
He found it annoying and slightly humorous that he was justifying himself to his sister.
“Aye, Me Laird,” Calum replied. “We have some men waitin’ for us in the council chambers, ready to step up and be on yer council.”
“Aye, good.” Archer nodded.
“But Calum,” Ivy pressed, “isnae he skulkin’ around a lot lately?”
Calum looked from Archer to Ivy, considering his words.
“So, that’s the way it is?” Archer huffed. “Ye nay longer come to me defense immediately? What, the two of ye are gangin’ up on me ‘cause ye’re courtin’? I could say I disapprove of the union.”
“Aye, but ye willnae, will ye?” Ivy shot back. “‘Cause ye want yer sister to be happy.”
“Aye, of course, I want ye to be happy,” Archer sighed.
“And how about ye, Archie? Do ye want to be happy?”
“Och, I dinnae have time for yer chatterin’,” he scoffed. “Calum, give me a wee bit of time and I’ll join ye in the council chambers.”
“Where are ye goin’?” Ivy asked.
“Nae that it’s any of yer business, but I’m goin’ to the solar. I need some time to clear me head.”
“Ye need to do more than that.” She shot him a pointed look.
Archer shook his head and walked away from them. He tried to greet people as he passed, but his heart was just not in it.
He walked through the castle, moving toward the quieter part where he could maybe calm his mind a little and stop thinking about Eileen.
When he entered the solar, he found that he was not alone.
“Maither?” he asked, surprised to see her there. “What are ye doin’ here?”
“I cannae be in me own solar?” she quipped as she turned away from the window.
“Nay, it’s nae that. I just didnae expect anyone else to be in here.”
“Ye wanted to be alone,” she concluded. “I can leave if ye want me to.”
“Nay, dinnae leave,” he insisted.
“Good,” Lyla said. “Ye’ve been spendin’ far too much time alone, recently. It’s nae good for ye.”
