Page 44 of Saved By the Highland Beast
Libby laughed and shook her head. “Who am I to argue with you once you’ve set your mind to something?”
“Exactly!” Sophia said happily and looked back out the window.
She quickly felt a sense of unease when she spotted a man with light blonde hair walking down the street. He seemed to be in good spirits as he swung a cane in one hand, yet there was something about him that seemed vaguely familiar and unsettling at the same time.
She pushed the thoughts aside and chalked it up to paranoia as she turned back to her mother.
CHAPTER16
Dean leanedagainst the door jamb as he watched Sophia unpack her luggage. She’d taken a week to see to her mother before returning to the castle. He’d heard from Anthony and Hamish that she’d brought her mother along with her. He’d felt a sense of relief and hope that she’d stay a little longer now that her mother had come along.
“Dean!” she said in surprise as she turned around with a dress in her hand. She was just as lovely as he’d remembered. “I’m sorry I didn’t come down to greet you. I thought you were busy on a hunt.” Her cheeks filled with color as she smiled at him, making his heart skip a beat.
“Aye, I was busy,” he said and straightened. “But ye should never think ye are botherin’ me, Sophia.” He felt his confidence faltering slightly in her presence. “I’m glad ye are back.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“I’m glad to be back.” She held the dress a little closer to her chest. “I’m sorry I didn’t ask if it was fine for my mother to come along, I just…” she hesitated. “I just thought she would love the castle as much as I do.”
“Aye. I met yer maither on the way up the stairs.” He smiled. “She seems to be a very protective…”
“Oh, goodness.” Sophia gripped the dress a little tighter.
“She did mention somethin’ about having me drawn an’ quartered if I let anythin’ happen to ye,” he admitted with a laugh.
Sophia suppressed a giggle. “I’m sorry, she’s always been overly protective, sometimes to the point where she would forget her manners.”
Dean felt his breath catch in his throat as he stared at her beautiful face. He’d missed her more than he had realized he would and wanted to tell her exactly how he felt about her, but he wanted to wait until the right moment so that nothing was forced.
The night they’d spent together in her room had broken down his barriers in a way he’d never expected. He found himself thinking of her when he woke up and when he went to sleep. During all hours of the day, he was thinking about her.
“She suggested that I return home,” she continued when he didn’t say anything.
His eyes quickly searched her face in panic.
“But I said that I wanted to stay here as Cillian’s tutor.” She seemed to search for the right words. “I’d hate to leave him now that he’s doing so well.”
Dean breathed a sigh of relief. “I dinnae want ye to leave either,” he said with a smile. “Ye have made quite a difference at the castle, an’ I dinnae mean just with Cillian.” He looked her in the eye as he spoke, willing her to understand what he meant.
Sophia’s chest rose and fell as her breathing quickened. She quickly turned to her cupboard and hung her dress. “I’m flattered that you appreciate my efforts,” she breathed.
Dean smiled to himself at how flustered she became whenever he gave her a compliment. It gave him hope that she felt the same way he did and that everything wasn’t just in his head. Her gentle manners and humble personality were two of the things that attracted him to her the most.
She turned back to the cases that were open on her bed. “I was hoping that…” She gasped and lifted her hands to her mouth.
“What?” Dean quickly came to her side. “What’s the matter?”
Her hands shook as she held a note in one hand. The fear in her voice was palpable as she spoke. “He found me again.” She held the note out to him. “I found this on the bed. It must have been slipped in between the cases on the coach.”
Frowning, Dean reached for the piece of parchment and gently took it from her hands.
My darling Sophia, you have returned at last! My world was empty without you in it. I promise to never take my eyes off you again! Not even for a second.
“Who is this?” He felt his anger growing as he clenched his jaw.
“Dean…” she began, trembling.
Pushing his anger to the side, he placed his hands on her shoulders and tried his best to calm her down. “Take a deep breath and tell me what happened,” he commanded as gently as he could. The sting of betrayal gnawed at his mind.
Is she married and just didn’t want to say?
