Page 84 of Taken By the Ruthless Highlander
“And here ye are,” Ryder echoed, wrapping his arms around her. “Shall I introduce my wife? Lilith, this is Morgana. Morgana, this is Lilith.”
“It’s nice to meet ye,” Morgana offered.
Lilith gave her a once-over before drawing her into an embrace. “I have to say, I’m so thrilled to finally meet the woman who stole Ryder’s heart. For a moment there, we didnae think he’d find anyone.”
“Alright,” Ryder huffed, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
“Where did ye find this one?” Damon asked, flashing Morgana a wide grin.
“Would ye believe she was to marry my faither?” Ryder answered.
The heat of embarrassment kissed Morgana’s cheeks as she tucked back a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“If memory serves me right, I did marry yer faither,” she muttered.
“Doesnae count,” Ryder insisted, with a defiant shake of his head. “Ye never consummated the marriage. If ye didnae do it, then ye cannae say it happened.”
“Well, I dinnae care how ye came to be here. I’m just glad to see Ryder smilin’ again. It’s been ages since I’ve seen that spark in his eyes. Usually, ye’ll find him in a sour mood, broodin’ over some volumes in the library.”
Morgana glanced at her husband and noticed the flush rising to his cheeks. But she did not miss the flicker of shame in his eyes either.
Just then, she spotted her brothers glancing around as if they were lost.
“Oh, Tormod, Ronnie,” she gasped.
Tormod’s eyes widened as they landed on her. The glint in them unnerved her.
“If ye’ll excuse me,” Morgana said, before she made a beeline for them. “What are ye doin’ here? I thought ye two had left this mornin’.”
She pulled Ronnie into an embrace.
Tormod rubbed the back of his neck as he scanned the crowd nervously. It was obvious from his suspicious behavior that he wasn’t all that keen on being there.
“Aye, well, it was delayed on yer account,” he answered as he embraced her. “Ryder mentioned how hard ye had been workin’ on this, and wanted us to share it with ye.”
“Are ye sure that was my husband ye talked to?” Morgana asked, keeping her tone light and airy despite her growing worry.
She scanned the crowd, wishing that she’d spot Feya and all her worries would be for naught… and found a few faces she had not expected to see.
“Is that Laird Dougal?”
Tormod and Ronnie whipped their heads around as Morgana pointed out the stout, grumpy-looking fellow in the corner. It was clear he didn’t want to be there, and for the life of her, she couldn’t remember if she had invited him to begin with.
“Where is Ryder?” she asked as she turned to find her husband.
“Ye want me to go find him?” Ronnie offered. “I’m sure he’s just in his study.”
“Nay. He was right here.” Morgana’s heart fluttered wildly as the room started to close in on her.
“Are ye all right? Ye look like ye’ve seen a ghost,” Tormod said as he helped her to a chair.
“Nae a ghost.” Morgana swallowed hard. “But I think it would be best if we find out why Laird Dougal is here, when he wasnae invited in the first place.”
“I’ll talk to him,” Ronnie said as he put his drink aside.
The determination on his face only made Morgana see just how young he still was.
“It’s fine, leave him be. As long as he’s nae botherin’ anyone or makin’ a scene, let him stay. But ye keep an eye on him. If he starts actin’ up or causin’ a ruckus, ye have my permission to kick him out.” She put her hand on his arm. “As Lady McKenzie, this is my wish.”
