Page 46 of Taken By the Heartless Highlander
He opened his mouth to apologize when suddenly the woman herself appeared in the doorway of the room.
“Sorry,” she said quickly, her gaze flicking between them. “I dinnae mean to interrupt.”
Noah ignored Callum, who was still staring at him as though he had entirely lost his faculties and approached Keira warily, watching for any sign of the anger he had stirred in her the night before. But her face was a mask of indifference.
“Where is Daisy?” he asked.
“She isnae feelin’ well, I dinnae think it is wise for her to come to town and traipse around with us. She will get too tired, and she needs the rest.”
Noah glanced back at Callum, who had his arms crossed over his chest and was still glaring at him.
“Give me a moment, Keira, and then we will go” he said, and she nodded and stepped back. Noah pushed the door closed, turning back to his man-at-arms.
“What are ye about ye great fool?” Callum asked, though his tone was still more respectful than Noah deserved.
“Daenae ye think I ken how unwise it is?”
Callum shook his head. “I have only seen ye this agitated once, and that was when ye were givin’ away yer sister.” He rubbed a hand over his jaw, glancing at the door quizzically. “She’s hardly a lady,” he continued thoughtfully, “couldnae ye just have her and be done with it?”
“Dinnae speak of her like that,” Noah hissed, mindful of Keira just outside the door.
Callum’s face settled into a look of resigned concern. “Ye have always said ye dinnae want a woman in yer life.”
“I dinnae!” Noah exclaimed, scrubbing a hand over his eyes and groaned. “Will ye just let it be?”
Callum shrugged. “Alright. Whatever ye need. Ye ken ye always have me support, no matter how foolhardy yer choices may be.”
“Since we’re talkin’ of foolhardy choices…” Noah said slowly.
Callum raised his eyes to the heavens with a long-suffering groan. “Aye, out with it then. What do ye need? Ye ken I’m at yer command.”
Noah fidgeted, knowing the reaction his request might get but determined to see it done. “I want ye to find the priest,” he stated simply and was relieved to see understanding return to Callum’s eyes.
“The one who tried to burn yer healer alive, ye mean?” he asked as Noah scowled.
“She is nae ‘me’ healer.”
“But that’s the priest ye mean.”
“Yes! That’s the priest, I mean, do ye ken of another?” Noah replied in exasperation.
“Donaldson ye said?”
“Aye. Find out what ye can. He kens where she is, has been makin’ threats.”
Callum’s expression turned grave. “I’ll find him.”
“Thank ye.”
“Dinnae do anythin’ foolish,” Callum said as he raised his eyebrows at him meaningfully.
“Do as yer told, man,” Noah muttered and opened the door before he could say more.
I shall never hear the end of this.
“Are ye ready to go?” he asked Keira, who was a few feet away waiting for him to emerge.
“Are ye really takin’ me shoppin’?” she asked doubtfully, the same frown on her face.
