Page 66 of A Virgin for the Icy Laird
He did not halt or slow down, aware that his brother would have to run to catch up to him.
“Nae now, Callum.” He took the stairs three at a time. If he could have stretched his legs any further, he would have.
“It is about Isla.” His steps faltered. “She wants to leave the castle.”
That brought him to a stop. He turned to his brother with the deliberation of a stone statue grinding its hilt.
“What did ye do?”
“I didnae do a thing.” Callum backed away, as though he was offended by the accusation. “She approached me in the courtyard to inform me about a matter that requires her attention back home. Her carriage awaits with her luggage trussed atop it.”
“And what did ye say to her?”
“I told her she isnae allowed to leave without yer permission.”
Adair could almost peel the flesh from his face. If he had acted appropriately, Isla would be standing before him, pleading her case, or at least in his study waiting for him.
“Where is she?”
“In the courtyard.”
“How are ye sure she hasnae left?”
“I told her to wait while I spoke to ye.”
“Ye left yer fiancée in the courtyard with her luggage packed and her carriage ready after ordering her nae to leave?”
“Mrs. Donnelly’s with her.”
“What is she to do against the daughter of a laird?”
His irritation flared, a feeling he gratefully welcomed. Bratty lasses were an effective distraction from his inner turmoil.
They dashed through the castle, Adair expecting to find the courtyard empty and Callum hoping not to.
Maids flattened themselves against the walls as they hurried past. It was not normal for the Laird to run through the halls. In fact, if there was ever an occasion that required it, it portended stuffing their reticules with treasures and seeking asylum in neighboring villages.
Adair slowed to a halt before stepping outside. There was no carriage, and Mrs. Donnelly was climbing the stairs.
“Where is she?” he heard Callum ask her.
He paused for a moment, watching his brother gesticulate wildly. He breathed in the cool air before he would have to mount his horse and chase after Isla.
“Lady Isla has returned to Clan Scott. Did ye nae give her permission?”
“Why would I allow her to ride out without an escort? Do ye ken what is at stake if Laird Scott finds out we were so incompetent with his daughter?”
“Callum,” Adair interjected. His tone was all he needed to temper his brother’s anger.
Callum stepped away from Mrs. Donnelly, pinching the bridge of his nose. Mrs. Donnelly refused to lift her eyes from her shoes. When Adair reached the step above her, he realized she’d been muttering apologies.
The last time she was scolded for incompetence wasnever. Servants feared her. The staff ran on her schedule, her rules, her glares. Nothing ever slipped past her.
To think a pampered lady managed to break the indomitable housekeeper…
“Do ye ken why she left?”
She was quiet for a moment, but then looked up. Callum had turned toward them but still stood a distance away. “A maid from her clan called on her. They spoke of a man who wished to relay his final words to her.”
