Page 9 of Trapped By the Wicked Highlander
As they stepped outside into the brisk morning air, the sun shining down on the dusty streets, Hunter could feel the weight of what had just happened. He wanted to make sure she was all right, to reassure her, but he could see she was still shaken.
It is simply me duty to care for her, she is vital.
The horse was tethered just outside the inn, and Hunter quickly helped Cassandra mount, his hands steady but still strong as he guided her up. Once she was seated, he swung up behind her, his arms wrapping around her waist with a possessiveness that he couldn’t quite explain.
“We’ll be ridin’ hard from here on out,” he said, his voice calm, though the anger still simmered beneath the surface. He should have cut the hands off that peasant, but there was no time for such things.
As they rode away from the inn, the landscape stretched out before them—open fields and hills that seemed to go on forever. Hunter could feel the tension between them, the unspoken words hanging in the air, but he didn’t push her by asking.
He knew she was shaken, despite her stubborn nature to say she could take care of herself. She was soft like any other lass, and he knew it.
Instead, he focused on the road ahead, the steady rhythm of the horse’s hooves keeping time as they made their way toward Castle McDougal. The ride was long, and though the air was cool, it was a welcome change from the chaos of the inn.
"We will reach Castle McDougal with as much haste as me steed can muster," he said.
"Aye, that is best, for now," she replied.
Cassandra remained silent, but Hunter could feel her body stiffening against his, as if she were still trying to process everything that had just happened. He wasn’t sure how to ease her mind, but he would find a way, eventually.
For now, they were on the road, together, and that was enough. He made a silent vow to keep her safe.
Nay matter the cost, she is me salvation… and Elena's.
CHAPTER SIX
The journey to Castle McDougal had been long and quiet, with only the sound of hooves on the hard-packed earth to break the silence. She could not stop thinking about how he claimed that she was his to that peasant.
Partly, she was frustrated that he would claim her as his property, and the other part set her ablaze with a heat she had never known.
Why did I enjoy hearin’ those words of his?
As they approached the massive stone structure, Cassandra’s thoughts drifted from the discomfort of the ride to the task at hand. Hunter had been distant for most of the journey, his focus solely on getting them to the castle.
When they finally arrived at the gates, she noticed the tension in his posture, the sharpness in his movements as he dismounted.
"Nay time to waste lass. Follow me," he said.
"Aye, lead the way, McDougal," she replied.
Hunter led her through the grand hall of the castle, his brow furrowed, and his gaze never wavering from the path ahead. He stopped before a maid, a young woman with a nervous look, and Cassandra could hear his voice, low and commanding as he addressed her.
"How is Lady Elena?" he asked, his words clipped with urgency.
The maid curtsied quickly and spoke, her voice trembling slightly, "Lady Elena is still unconscious, Laird McDougal. We are still attendin’ to her."
A sudden rush of confusion flooded Cassandra’s chest, and she stiffened at the mention of Lady Elena’s name. She assumed that Elena must be Hunter’s wife, especially with the way he had acted earlier, his protectiveness and concern so evident.
That must be why he had been so demanding, why he had acted the way he did. The thought brought a sharp pang of disappointment to Cassandra’s heart, though she quickly tried to suppress it.
She scolded herself inwardly for allowing herself to feel anything about Hunter Gilmour.
What was I thinkin’? I swore off getting’ involved with another man after me last failed relationship, and yet here I am, feelin’ foolish.
No matter how handsome or commanding Hunter was, he was unavailable. She had no place for these feelings, and she needed to focus on the task at hand.
"Cassandra, you will see to Lady Elena first. She is everythin’ to me," he said.
"Is she?" she muttered without thought. Then corrected herself, "Of course, sir. Show me the way."
