Page 46 of Taken By the Ruthless Highlander
“Alright, out with it,” Orella said as soon as they had stepped out into the sunshine.
The fresh air cleared the cobwebs and fog from Morgana’s mind. She inhaled deeply as if she’d been drowning.
“What are ye talkin’ about?” she muttered as she closed her eyes and tilted her head to the azure blue sky.
How she loved the warmth on her skin. For a moment, it reminded her of the warmth of Ryder’s hand on her face.
“Ye and Ryder,” Orella clarified. “Is he treatin’ ye well? It seems ever since the weddin’, he’s been away from the castle. People are talkin’ about how he’s got a mistress in the next town over.”
“I cannae say anythin’ about that,” Morgana answered, shocked by the accusations that everyone seemed to toss about as if it were a game. “Ryder doesnae seem like the sort of man who would break his marriage vows.”
“So, ye and him have…” Orella trailed off, her eyes as wide as saucers. “Are we to expect a wee one runnin’ around here soon?”
“ThatI’m afraid ye’re goin’ to have to wait for a bit longer,” Morgana said, trying to keep the disappointment out of her tone.
Flashing Orella a smile, she tried to figure out why she was disappointed, to begin with. It wasn’t like she wanted any children, not with as many siblings as she had.
But maybe the disappointment came from the fact that Ryder did want to have children. It was this realization that niggled at her. Underneath it all, she wanted to be a mother and run her home well. And the fact that the choice had been stripped from her stung all the same.
“I ken ye’d never cave to him. Ryder is nothin’ but a bully, and if ye wait for a few more weeks, ye can ask for an annulment,” Orella suggested.
“But I have,” Morgana lied. “Or have ye nae heard the rumors yet?”
“What rumors?” Orella frowned as she picked her herbs.
“Let’s see… have ye heard that I ran bare-chested through the castle?” Morgana asked.
She knew that discussing her most embarrassing moment was the only way to change the subject.
“I did hear that one this mornin’,” Orella admitted, her cheeks flushing a deep red. “I think I’d be too embarrassed to come out of my room if I’d been caught doin’ that.”
“The fact that ye think it’s true is concernin’,” Morgana snorted.
She bent down and picked more herbs, trying to focus on the task at hand, but her mind drifted to Ryder once again. What was he doing now? Was he perched somewhere out of sight, watching them from a window?
The thought tickled her.
She glanced up at the empty windows, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. But just as she suspected, he wasn’t there. If he had left the castle once again, she wouldn’t have known.
How it bothered her to be left in the dark. She wanted to know what Felix knew and if there was any news about Feya. She wanted to feel safe and secure, but the only place she could find that was in Ryder’s embrace.
Once more, she glanced up at the windows. Every little movement sent a thrill through her as hope sprang up and died in a matter of seconds.
“What should I tell him, then?” Orella asked.
The question snapped Morgana out of her thoughts. She blinked, trying to remember what they were talking about. She studied Orella, hoping to find the answer in her expression to no avail.
“I’m sorry,” she sighed.
“Ye werenae listenin’, were ye?” Orella chuckled as she playfully jabbed her elbow into Morgana’s side. “Cohen thinks Ryder isnae bein’ very kind to ye and wants to make sure ye’re doin’ well. So, are ye doin’ well? What should I tell my husband?”
“I dinnae understand why he doesnae come to me with such worries,” Morgana said.
Orella shook her head. “The Laird has made it clear that Cohen cannae speak to ye directly. Cohen thinks that his jealousy is rearin’ its ugly head. It’s why he has sent me to check on ye.”
Morgana’s heart swelled at the overwhelming love and support. She pulled Orella into a tight embrace.
“I owe ye and yer husband so much, as it is,” she murmured as she finally released her. “Ye believed me when nay one else did. Ye cannae imagine the stress of being under scrutiny all the time. Yet, ye helped me. If it werenae for the both of ye doin’ all ye have done, I dinnae ken where I’d be.”
