Page 53 of Taken By the Ruthless Highlander
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The squawk of the magpies pulled her from her slumber. Morgana rolled onto her back, shocked to still be in her evening dress. Wiping the drool from her lower lip, she slipped out of bed and moved to the balcony.
The morning breeze flowed through her hair. As much as she wanted the dawn to bring with it a sense of new beginnings, she clung to the events of last night. Ryder’s face danced through her thoughts, plaguing her every waking moment.
“What is it with ye today?” a voice asked, just as a small hand slipped into her own.
Morgana jumped and looked down to find Eloise staring up at her.
“When did ye come in?” she asked as she glanced at the door.
“I’ve been standin’ here since the sun has come up. I just wanted to make sure ye remembered about our picnic. Ronnie says he willnae join us unless he’s certain ye’ll be there.”
“Aye,” Morgana answered as she twisted her loose hair into a bun atop her head. “I’ll be there. I’ve already made it clear to Ryder that my day is full. Besides, I’m goin’ to need yer help.”
Eloise’s eyes widened in wonder. “Oh?”
“The Laird wants us to throw a cèilidh, and I will need yer help in organizin’ it. Think ye might help me?” Morgana asked.
Eloise’s smile widened. “Do ye mean it? Ye really want me to help?” she asked as they turned back to the warmth of the room.
“Aye, of course I do.”
“Nae that I’m complainin’ or anythin’, but why does the Laird want to throw a cèilidh?”
“The weddin’ wasnae grand, and… well, the relations between some of the clan members arenae so great. And a party will get everyone together. Maybe even coax a few smiles and change minds.”
“So ye’re bribin’ people by throwin’ a party?” Eloise asked.
Her question was sharper than a two-edged blade through butter.
“Aye, I’m tryin’ to get the clan to lighten up. There’s so much tension in this castle, with half the folks thinkin’ I killed the last laird and the other half thinkin’ Ryder is a monster. We’ve got to show them that we arenae any of those things.”
Eloise gave a little shrug as Morgana went to change into a day dress. “I dinnae see how any of that matters. Folks arenae goin’ to like ye just because ye brought out a few barrels of the Laird’s best ale. Ye’re goin’ to have to do somethin’ better.”
“And that, dearest sister, is the exact reason I need yer help. Ye think of the things that I miss,” Morgana said as she took her younger sister by the hand. “But before we can think about the cèilidh, we’ve got a picnic to plan. I was thinkin’ we could make some meat pies and take them with us.”
“Oh, Ronnie will like that,” Eloise gushed as they made their way to the kitchen.
Morgana couldn’t help but glance into each room they passed, hoping for a glimpse of Ryder. As they approached his study, her chest tightened, and her breath caught. She glanced through the crack in the door, trying to spot him inside the room.
The man from Lochcairn stepped into view and closed the door swiftly behind him. Morgana looked away, trying to pretend that she hadn’t been spying on her husband. But there was no hiding the heat of embarrassment in her cheeks.
“That’s Felix,” Eloise whispered as they watched the man rush toward the foyer. “He’s Ryder’s man-at-arms.”
“What? Since when?” Morgana asked. “And how did ye ken that before I did? It seems that my husband truly doesnae want me to ken anythin’.”
“He came in a few nights ago with Ryder. Eloise wanted a snack, so I was in the kitchen when they came in.”
“I’ve seen him before,” Morgana admitted as she tucked her hair behind her ear. “He looks a bit concerned, wouldnae ye say?”
Eloise nodded her head as they turned the corner and made their way to the kitchen.
The servants were busy cleaning and cooking the morning meal. The scent of freshly baked rye bread and honey swirled around the room.
Morgana turned to Eloise as she reached for one of the aprons.
“What should we cook first? Ronnie’s meat pies or the biscuits? And ye need to go get Poppy. Ye ken very well that she’ll want to cook with us. Go and fetch her. I promise I’ll wait for ye. I’ll only get the ingredients.”
