Page 33 of Taken By the Ruthless Highlander
Chewing on her lower lip, Morgana could still feel Ryder’s tight grip on her wrists. His heat still lingered enough that she thought he had come back for her.
Her eyes popped open with expectancy, only to be greeted with disappointment. Ryder didn’t have a reason to come after her. He had made their arrangement very clear, and the rules were precise. If anyone was trying to bend them, it was her.
The realization stung. Was it because he told her he’d never touch her that made her want him that much more? Or was it the fact that he, too, was breaking his rules? After all, he kissed her. He carried her to his study. And it was his seductiveness that she craved more than anything.
Unable to hide in the nook all night, Morgana rolled her shoulders back. How could she be so selfish when she had her siblings to look after? And it wasn’t like they had anyone to look after them but her.
The thought of getting swept away by Ryder was enchanting and tantalizing, but the truth was that Morgana wouldn’t abandon her siblings to chase after her passions.
She wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she ever found out that their lives were worse than hers. No, she should be more like Ryder—calculated and stoic.
It was right then and there that Morgana sealed away her passions. Ryder wouldn’t get a second chance to stir them again.
10
“Where is yer head at right now?” Ronnie barked as he threw his hands up in irritation. “We’re only four points away from winning, and ye have to hit it that hard?”
Morgana watched her brother pace the width of the pitch before shifting her attention to the ball falling to the ground. It was a hard hit, but not hard enough. Disappointment struck as she watched the ball roll just past Eloise’s, which sat not more than two yards from where she stood.
“I thought it would go further,” she said, trying to sound remorseful. But even she could hear the lack of empathy in her tone.
“Ye’re blowin’ it. I cannae lose again. I already owe Poppy four pies from the baker in town—I cannae afford another,” Ronnie huffed as he raked his fingers through his hair. “Now, for the love of all that is holy, do better. Ye’ve got one more shot; just line it up and strike hard.”
Morgana looked down the lane at the goalposts. She steadied herself and swung her baton. The ball whizzed down the pitch, stopping just shy of the posts. Ronnie threw his hands up again, hot irritation radiating from him.
“That’s five,” Poppy chimed in from behind Morgana, taunting Ronnie.
Ronnie’s eyes flashed with anger as he took a menacing step toward Poppy, before Morgana stepped in his way. She shook her head, daring him to attack.
“Ye did that on purpose,” he snarled.
“Of course I did,” Morgana answered unabashedly. “She promised to share the pies with me.”
Poppy, Eloise, and Morgana’s laughter filled the open space. Ronnie shook his head and charged down to fetch the balls for another round.
“I’m never playin’ Clacken with ye again. And that’s nae a threat,” Ronnie said through gritted teeth. “Ye’re the worst player I’ve ever kenned, and that’s sayin’ somethin’.”
“Well, maybe it’ll teach ye nae to gamble against yer sister,” Morgana countered as she flashed Eloise and Poppy a wink.
As much as she wanted to enjoy herself and spend time with her siblings, her mind kept drifting to Ryder.
What was he doing away from the castle? Was he in love with another? Is that where he was going?
As soon as the thought popped into her head, she pushed it aside. Sure, Ryder was a handsome man, especially when he did not shave in the morning. But could he be so unfaithful?
Morgana just did not think him capable of betrayal.
She flipped her hair back and forced a smile. If there was one thing she had learned over the years, it was how to keep her cool under such dire circumstances.
“Ye vile thing,” Ronnie grumbled, his playfulness returning. He flashed a wink atPoppy. .
“As if we dinnae ken he’s been stealin’ the pies from the kitchen. We can smell the cook bakin’ them in the mornin’ and hear her cursin’ in the early afternoon,” Poppy snorted.
“Ye shouldnae be doin’ that,” Morgana scolded. “If ye wanted somethin’ sweet, ye can just ask the cook. Tell them it’s for me, and I promise they’ll make it for ye.”
“And what of the Laird? Ye dinnae think he’ll start wonderin’ where the food is goin’?” Eloise asked, just as Ronnie returned with their balls in hand.
“I dinnae think he’ll pay any mind to it. In fact, I bet ye that he’ll never notice,” Morgana replied, a challenge in her tone. She watched as her younger sister contemplated her statement.
