Page 80 of Taken By the Ruthless Highlander
Embarrassment coursed through her veins like hot lava. She tried to hide her smile, but there was no point—Ryder had already seen her make a fool of herself.
“Clearly,” he murmured as he set the book on the small table next to him and rose from his chair. Morgana’s heart fluttered when the mattress sank under his weight. “How did ye sleep? If ye’re hungry, I’ll have the servants bring up a tray to yer room.”
“I’ll go downstairs and eat, but thank ye,” Morgana answered.
She noticed the small wildflower resting precariously on the pillow next to hers.
“Aye, well, I need to get goin’, but I couldnae leave without watchin’ ye wake up.” Ryder tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Dinnae forget about the cèilidh. If there’s anything ye need from me, just ask. My door is open to ye anytime, day or night.”
Morgana didn’t know what to think about that. It was as if every wall he had around his heart had crumbled. The gloominess that once shadowed his features had vanished. There was a new air about him, almost like optimism.
“Well, thank ye,” she said.
Ryder stole one more kiss, his lips so tender against hers. It was as if he was whispering to the hummingbirds or sparrows that came for but a season.
He pulled away.. He didn’t say anything as he made for the door. He only cast a glance over his shoulder, without looking her in the eye, before he disappeared into the hall.
Morgana shook her head, uncertain what to make of it all. She threw back the covers to get ready for the day. After all, it wasn’t like she could just loiter about all day. She had a cèilidh to organize, and she was running out of time.
With a new sense of urgency, Morgana looked around her chambers and smiled.. The smile on her face widened as the world seemed to bend to her whim.
The Great Hall buzzed with chatter and laughter. Morgana wished there was some way to get the people to see that she wasn’t a threat to any of them. In fact, she believed all she had to do was wait for the cèilidh. Surely once everyone realized how perfectly normal she was, they might lighten up around her.
“Murderer,” a voice hissed as she passed a table of women.
She paused, uncertain if she had imagined the voice. The side eyes and scowls did nothing to help her figure out who mumbled such a horrid accusation.
“There ye are,” Ronnie said as he came up behind her. “Poppy has been lookin’ for ye all morning. She said ye were in yer chambers earlier but then left. Did ye go to Lochcairn last night?”
Last night. Images and sensations flooded back as if she were experiencing everything all over again. Heat kissed her cheeks and rushed to her limbs. For a moment, she thought she was about to self-combust and leave behind nothing but a pile of ash and smoke.
“Nay,” Morgana managed to utter as she scanned the crowd. “I never left the castle last night.”
“Och aye, because of the intruder, eh?” Ronnie asked, much to her confusion.
“What? When did…” Morgana paused as more images flashed before her weary eyes.
“Never mind. I think I overheard one of the servants talkin’ about this earlier.”
“It was a big deal. Some are even sayin’ that it was the Laird comin’ in with a mistress. If that’s the case, Sister, I promise to do whatever I can to get ye away from him,” Ronnie muttered.
The mere thought of running from Ryder was inconceivable now.
“Speakin’ of gettin’ away. Tormod and Felix are headin’ out.”
“And when are they leavin’?” Morgana asked, the words clogging her throat. She didn’t like the fact that her brother was headed out into the unknown. But it wasn’t like she could do anything to stop him if he wanted to go.
“Nae sure yet, but thought ye might want to ken that there is a plan in place to be leavin’ in the next day or so. Ryder’s man at arms thinks the weather will be cleared up enough to head out.”
Morgana pressed her lips into a tight line as the chatter in the room seemed to grow louder with her silence. She could feel several eyes watching her.
“I need yer help with the cèilidh, until ye leave, if that’s all the same to ye,” Morgana said as Ronnie started for the exit. “Which is tonight. Dinnae let me down now. We’re family.”
28
“What was I thinkin’?” Ryder mumbled to himself as he paced the length of his study.
He ran his fingers through his hair as images of Morgana lying naked beneath him flashed through his mind. The fact that he let himself lose control bothered him. After all, had he not vowed never to touch her? Was that the reason she was so irresistible?
