He turned to his brother. “Robbie, I have things to do. You are in charge until I return.”
Robbie nodded and turned back to what he was doing. “Brodie, can you believe it? I did not ever think we would see the day when Alex was so taken with a woman.”
Alex glared back at his brother. “I am not taken with the woman, Robbie. She is currently under my charge and I am just trying to protect her. Surely, you have noticed that she has no sense sometimes.”
“After the farce with Anna Comming, I did not think I would ever see it again,” Brodie remarked.
Alex stopped dead, spun on his heel and placed his finger in Brodie’s face. “Do not ever mention that woman’s name in my presence again. Do you understand me?”
“Aye, Laird Grant, I do,” Brodie ground out as he glared at his brother. “But since we never heard the circumstances, it is difficult for us to understand why you won’t discuss what happened. Anna is a beautiful lass.”
“You do not need to know the circumstances, just never speak her name again.” Alex stalked off toward the stables. He probably should have told his brothers about the farce with his betrothal, but he didn’t want to cause anymore animosity toward their neighboring clan. Some things were meant to be kept quiet. His brothers were not quite mature enough at the time to handle it either.
Now he was barking at his brothers. What was Maddie MacD doing to him?
And where did she disappear to? He would blast the woman when he found her for making him so daft.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Alex stormed into the stables and found Maddie feeding an apple to his horse. He froze at the sight of his stallion eating from her hand as she rubbed him and cooed to him.
“Hugh, what are you thinking allowing a lady near my horse?” he bellowed. “You know how nasty he gets, or have you lost your senses, old man?”
Maddie stiffened as he chastised his stable master. She quickly interrupted, “Laird Grant, it is not his fault. He did not know what I was about.”
Alex’s gut clenched, noting the fear and concern in her eyes. “My lady,” he said softly, “I am no' going to hurt old Hugh.”
Old Hugh chuckled as he looked at Maddie feeding Alex’s horse. “As you can see, Chief, there is no need to worry about Maddie and Midnight. Midnight knows a kind soul when he meets one. Or are you nervous he might like her more than you?”
Alex glared at old Hugh. “Never mind,” he said. “‘Tis no' why I came here. My lady, you should not be wandering around the bailey by yourself. I do not want you leaving the hall without an escort. No one knows when your stepbrother might send someone to steal you back. My gates are open during the day. Anyone could sneak in.”
Fire lit her eyes before she bowed her head, “I am sorry, Laird, I was in the garden with Brenna and thought to visit old Hugh and your horses. I did not think there to be any danger. I was in the bailey with the wee ones yesterday and there was no problem.”
“Leave us, Hugh,” Alex said to his stable master.
After he left, Alex sighed and studied Maddie. Lost in her gaze, he stared at her sweet pink lips begging to be kissed. He needed just one taste of her, maybe then he could get her out of his mind. Now, as it was, she made him feel totally senseless. All he could think of was pulling her into his arms, laying her atop the soft mound of hay in the corner and burying himself inside her. Her scent was driving him wild, she smelled like lavender and all woman. He reached out to touch her, but she pulled back.
He shook his head slightly and glanced toward the horses to regain his control.
“My lady, you had a group around you yesterday. Today you are alone. I would not trust you alone with some of my own clan. It is my job to protect you, and I do not want you walking around in the bailey without an escort.” The volume of Alex’s voice rose as he continued. The sudden vision of another man touching her burst into his head. He was ready to throttle her when she placed herself in harm’s way. “And you will need ten escorts to go outside the keep!” He knew he was yelling, but she was his, and she better well understand it!
“You will heed my orders, Madeline MacDonald, or I will lock you in your chamber!”
Madeline stared at him. “Forgive me, I thought to be a guest in your home, not a prisoner.” She ran around him and tore up the hill toward the keep.
Alex put his hands on his hips with a big sigh.
Hugh stepped back around the wall and said, “Well done, laddie. You drove her further away.” Hugh chuckled as his eyebrows rose. “Laird, I have known you since you were a bairn, and I have ne’er seen a lassie affect you so. Och, ‘tis about time.” The stable master gave him a warm pat on his shoulder. “From what I know of her, she is a nice lass and will guard your heart. She is no’ like the other lass in your past.”