Page 36 of Taken By the Ruthless Highlander
Morgana paused as she eyed her brother from the top of his head to the tips of his toes. “I think I have an idea.”
“Why do I get the feelin’ that this is goin’ to end badly?” Ronnie asked. “Morgana, whatever ye’ve got brewin’ in that head of yers, dinnae do it. Be responsible and reasonable.”
“Aye, I am,” she answered. “Which is why ye’re goin’ to stay here in the castle and cover for me. I willnae be gone long. But I will leave after nightfall.”
11
“Look at ye, bein’ all sentimental,” Felix teased as he slammed his mug against Ryder’s before taking a long swig. “And here I thought ye didnae care a lick about that old man.”
“How I feel about my faither has nay bearin’ on this situation,” Ryder said.
“Seems to me it does. Or did ye nae just tell me ye married yer faither’s murderer? And here I thought ye’d lost yer marbles and I’d have to put ye out of yer misery,” Felix snorted.
Ryder watched as Felix’s attention shifted to the barmaid prancing around the room with her jugs of whiskey and ale. There was no doubt she was a pretty thing, but she did not hold a candle to Morgana.
“If ye saw the lass, ye’d understand why there’s nay way she killed him,” Ryder explained as he took a swig of his drink and leaned back.
“Poison is a woman’s knife,” Felix said. “What makes ye think she didnae do that first and then took a blade to him? Yer faither was a big man, after all.”
“I heard these same arguments from the council. I hoped ye’d shed new light on the situation. Or at the very least come back to the castle and help me sort this mess out,” Ryder sighed.
“I doubt the man-at-arms would be keen to be knocked down a peg or two,” Felix retorted.
“I dinnae care what he thinks. Cohen was loyal to my faither, nae to me. And even if I were to call a meetin’, everyone in the castle would bend the knee rather than take up arms. There arenae enough men to go against me, but the winds are changin’. I dinnae ken how much longer I have. I feel like I’m losin’ control over my castle.”
Ryder dropped his shoulders and let out a heavy sigh. His thoughts skipped and raced around Morgana and his father’s murder while he wrestled with the fact that Morgana was starting to get under his skin.
Why couldn’t he get her out of his mind? It was as if she had a knack for weaseling into his thoughts and shifting his mood.
“Well, good thing ye came to me then,” Felix said with a hearty chuckle as he threw his arm over Ryder’s shoulder. “As long as ye’re certain ye want to bring me on board. Ye ken I’ll do anythin’ for ye. Ye’re like a braither to me, Ryder. Ye call and I’ll come runnin’.”
Ryder’s heart swelled just a bit. It was a relief to know that if the world burned down, at least there was someone who would stand by his side.
Felix raised his mug in a toast and drained it. Slamming the mug down barely drew an eye to their table. The tavern was livelier than Ryder had expected, but the noise kept their conversation private.
“I wish I didnae have to ask for yer help, but I dinnae see how I’m goin’ to be able to stay in power with so many people goin’ against me. I kenned that steppin’ into my faither’s place would be rough, but I never expected it would be so bad.”
“Come now, bein’ Laird cannae be that bad,” Felix said, rolling his eyes. “Or was it pity ye wanted? Because if that’s what ye’re lookin’ for, ye might as well get the barmaid to come and sit on yer lap and weep into her bosom.”
Ryder shook his head. Although the idea of having his face buried in a soft, warm bosom was inviting, it wasn’t Morgana’s bosom or company he’d have. “Nae my type.”
Felix’s eyes widened to the size of saucers as he sat straighter. “What are ye talkin’ about? Look at her. She’s exactly yer type. Long brown wavy hair that’s nae too curly or too straight. She’s got curves on her, but she willnae be a handful if ye catch my meaning.”
“I’m a married man,” Ryder stated plainly, and with such conviction that he did not miss the shock on Felix’s face.
“Since when does that stop anyone from havin’ a spot of fun? Besides, where is the lass? Back home, right? In the castle, managin’ the affairs there while ye are here, free to do as ye wish,” Felix taunted as he raised his mug to call the maid over to their table.
“I’ll nae be tempted,” Ryder said. “I made an oath, and I’ll nae break it. But if ye want, have a go. But I doubt her faither will like ye rompin’ with his daughter in the haystacks.”
“Ha! Ye say that as if he’d ever catch me,” Felix scoffed. “I could bed her without her faither even kennin’.”
“Dinnae be so sure,” a husky voice rumbled behind Ryder.
The warning was stern and sudden. The color drained from Felix’s face as he turned to face the tavern’s owner.
The heavy man with a long, wiry beard and beady eyes glared at him. “That’s my daughter ye’re talkin’ about there.”
“And what a lovely lady she is,” Felix offered, trying to defuse the situation.
