Page 34 of Desiring the Highland Laird
He was dressed in a long sleeve tunic with a plaid wrapped around his waist and over one shoulder. The plaid was clasped with a silver pin on the shoulder. He wore breeches and boots, a sword strapped to one side.
“I’ve come to fetch ye,” he said.
“Good morning to you, too,” she replied, feeling as though something was off. “Where are we going?”
“I told ye. To return ye to yer sister.” He waved for her to follow. “Come, now.”
“And where would that be?” A wave of unease shifted through her as she followed him through the keep.
He exited and headed across the courtyard toward a building that looked like the stable. This was her first time leaving the keep. The wind whipped through her, cutting her rightthrough her wool gown and stockings. She clutched her elbows and clenched her jaw to keep from shivering. But then she remembered she was in a medieval castle and craned her neck to gape up at the soaring towers. There were three rising up into the morning sky dotted with gray clouds threatening rain.
Standing there, gazing at the structure, a sense of belonging came over her. For the first time in her life, she felt as though she belonged somewhere—strange that it was in Scotland’s past.
Roslyn came running out of the keep then, a garment in her hand. Her skirts flapped as she hurried to catch up to her.
“Ye’ll need a cloak, my lady,” she said, a bit out of breath. “There’s a chill in the air.”
A chill in the air was an understatement, she thought, as she accepted the cloak. It was more than a chill to Evie. As she pulled it around her, she was grateful for the warmth from the wool garment.
“Thank you, Roslyn.”
Roslyn’s sharp eyes cut to Callum who waited a fair distance away behind her. Then she reached for Evie, taking her hand in her cold ones and squeezing it. Distress flickered through her eyes, as if the woman was sad to see her go.
“Godspeed to ye, lass.”
Evie squeezed her hands back. “Thank you for everything, Roslyn.”
Again, a strange feeling flickered through her as she clutched the material of the cloak around her thin frame and turned back to Callum, who waited patiently. When Roslyn returned to the keep, he started toward the stable once more.
Inside the stable, Malcolm waited with two horses. He held the reins of both. One was a large black horse that looked to be a war horse. The other was a smaller gray horse that was likely meant for her. A moment of panic shifted through her.
“Can ye ride, lass?” he asked, glancing down at her.
She eyed the big beast as apprehension shifted through her. It wasn’t that she was afraid of horses—she had always been told they were gentle animals—but the sheer size of the horse was intimidating.
“I’ve never ridden a horse in my life,” she said.
Malcolm chuckled. Callum frowned.
“Ye best ride with me, then,” Callum said.
He went to the large black horse and stuck his foot in the stirrup. He settled into the saddle as if it was something he did every day and likely it was.
“Help her up, brother.” He reached a hand to her.
She stepped forward and placed her hand in his as Malcolm put his hands on her waist. Callum gave her a gentle tug while Malcolm lifted her. In a moment of awkwardness, she was unsure what they meant for her to do.
“One leg over, lass,” Callum said.
After fumbling, she managed to settle on the back of the horse behind Callum. Her gown was not fit for riding and hiked up around her legs. She positioned the cloak so it would cover most of her and keep her warm.
“I’ll see ye after,” Malcolm said as he looked up at his brother.
Callum nodded. “I should be back by nightfall.”
And then they were off, trotting out of the stable toward the gatehouse. The portcullis was up to allow them to exit. Evie wrapped her arms around his solid waist, holding onto him to keep from falling off the back of the horse.
She didn’t want to notice how muscular he felt. Nor did she want to notice how warm his body was against hers. She was still unsure why they were riding away from the keep when he could merely give her the stone and send her on her way.
