Page 57 of Taken By the Ruthless Highlander
“Cohen, I’m surprised to see ye out here. I always assumed that ye’d burn up in the sun,” Ryder jibed.
Cohen stopped beside Morgana and executed a low, humble bow. “Nasty rumor, I assure ye. But who doesnae ken the stin’ of rumors ?” he countered.
Ryder glanced at the twins, wishing his father’s man-at-arms hadn’t come out to bother him.
But he was fully aware of why Cohen had come out, and it had nothing to do with Nathan being in the dungeons and more to do with Morgana being alone.
Why did the man’s lingering gazes on Morgana bother him so?
It wasn’t like Cohen would act on his desires. For one, it would mean death for him. For two, Orella certainly wouldn’t be too thrilled to hear about her husband’s betrayal.
“Rumors can be devastating,” Morgana said, stepping between the two men. “I’m glad that we are tryin’ to figure out how to squash some of them.”
“Och, is that what ye’re doin’?” Cohen flashed her a smile. “And here I thought we were tryin’ to see how many lives we could ruin in a day. Here, let me go first.”
“Enough,” Ryder barked, his voice echoing through the garden.
The twins stopped and stood a bit taller. Ronnie froze. The fear on their faces was enough to make Ryder wish he hadn’t come outside in the first place. So far, his little endeavor to see Morgana was not going too well.
“But I thought ye would want rumors to be… How did ye put it? Och aye, nipped in the bud. Which is why I came out here to ask ye about Nathan. Why did ye throw the man in the dungeons?”
“Ye threw Nathan in the dungeons?” Ronnie blurted, trying to hold back a grin and failing miserably.
“Aye, Nathan’s in the dungeons. It’s true. And he kens precisely why I threw him in there.”
“The vote will be held tonight,” Cohen hissed, a flush of embarrassment rising to his cheeks.
“And tell me again, what are ye votin’ on? To take more of my rights as Laird away? What makes ye think my faither would have allowed any of ye to do that? Nay. Nathan can stay in the cell. Everyone kens which side that man is on. Cast his vote without him. It’ll make nay difference.”
Cohen’s eyes flashed with anger.
“My Laird,” Morgana whispered. The softness of her voice snapped Ryder back to the present. “I think Cohen understands.”
Ryder noticed the shocked expressions of her siblings. Feeling trapped, he stepped closer to her, ensuring that Cohen received the message loud and clear.
“Aye, I’m sure of it,” he said, glaring daggers at Cohen. “And if it hadnae been clear before, I’m sure ye understand now, dinnae ye?”
Cohen’s reluctant nod wasn’t as satisfying as Ryder had expected. But the fact that he had gotten under the man’s skin thrilled him.
“Crystal,” Cohen answered. “I’m sure my wife will want to make sure that he’s bein’ taken care of.”
“Oh, dinnae worry about him,” Ryder said. “I’m sure he’s doin’ just fine in the cellar.”
“I thought ye said he was in the dungeons?” Cohen asked, panic evident in his voice.
Ryder wasn’t sure if Cohen was scheming to break Nathan out of the dungeons, or if the man merely wanted to visit him. But whatever the reason, the fact that he was standing in their way and thus thwarting their plans pleased him to no end.
“Did I? Are ye sure?” Ryder flashed him a mischievous smirk. “Ye ken he could be in the dungeons, or maybe I put him in the cellars. There’s a bit more room down there, and it’s a nicer place to rest his head.”
“And how much longer will he stay there?” Cohen asked.
“As long as it pleases me,” Ryder snapped. “When will ye learn that I’m the Laird of this clan? My wordislaw, and I willnae tolerate yer attempts at underminin’ my authority. Watch yer tongue, Cohen, or ye might find yer head detached from yer body.”
“I think the heat of the day is gettin’ the better of me, My Laird,” Cohen gritted out.
Panic, anger, and the need to protect all ripped through Ryder as he watched him reach for Morgana’s hand. But before Cohen could even lift it to his lips, Ryder snatched it back.
“Ye seem to be a man who is never where he is wanted,” he hissed. “Why dinnae ye take the children and see that they are tended to for the night.”
