Page 93 of The Highlander Steals a Virgin
She took off through the grass before Amara could gather her breath back up to Rhys, who was still waiting up on the ledge. Watching them.
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Daisy was the first to voice it.
“I’m starvin’,” she said dramatically, patting her stomach as her pony clip-clopped into the courtyard.
“We’ll fix that,” Rhys promised, sliding from his saddle.
The stablehands moved quickly, taking reins from all three. Daisy barely waited for her feet to hit the ground before racing toward the door. Her nurse met her there with open arms, ushering her inside with a warm scolding about dusty skirts and red cheeks.
Amara hesitated beside him, brushing hay from her sleeve.
“I think I’ll go lie down a while,” she said softly.
He looked at her. Her braid had come loose again, and her cheeks were still flushed from the ride. “Let me walk ye.”
“Ye daenae need to —”
“I want to.”
She nodded once.
They walked in silence, their shoulders brushing now and again. The stairs stretched longer than usual, or maybe that was just in her head. She didn’t want the walk to end, and judging by the way he kept glancing sideways, neither did he.
They didn’t need to speak. Every glance and every accidental touch, threatened to break her open. They hadn’t even made it halfway to the library when the ambush struck.
A blur of dark green and copper spun out from behind a pillar. “Och! Here they are!”
William’s voice rang out like a trumpet.
Amara froze mid-step as Finn popped up beside him, one arm raised dramatically. “Caught ye!”
Rhys sighed behind her. “Ye’ve too much time on yer hands.”
Myles joined in last, slouching against the wall as if he’d been lounging there for hours. “Aye, and I told them it wasnae fair. Two on one, all before the noon hour.”
“We were just going to look at the maps again,” Amara offered an easy lie that Rhys silently obliged.
“Aye, sure,” Finn muttered with a grin, slapping Rhys on the shoulder. “Come eat. Cookie’s cooked enough to feed half the bloody army. If I eat alone again, I’ll start thinkin’ he’s tryin’ to fatten me for slaughter.”
“We daenae need —”
“We’d love to,” Amara cut in quickly, throwing Rhys a glance. His brow twitched, but he didn’t argue.
The dining hall had never felt quite so full. Laughter bounced from the walls, the hearth crackled merrily, and platters of oatcakes, meats, and berry preserves filled the long table.
Mabel greeted her like a sister, arms open wide. “Sit with me. I need a sensible woman near me before Finn starts telling stories again. Plus, I’ve got cards!”
Nina patted the space beside her. “Ye can have me cushion, I’m just about to get up, me lady. It’s warmed for ye,” she said and slid over to the end of the bench.
“One more hand!” Mabel demanded, and Nina obliged kindly.
Amara smiled, grateful, and took her place. On her other side, Mabel poured her a cup of strong tea with a knowing wink.
Conversation flowed easily between them as Mabel dealt a hand. Amara felt Rhys’s eyes on her as he sat with the others farther down the table. Myles was already two cups in and teasing the cook, while William made jokes under his breath and Finn looked like he’d been born at the table.
Amara let herself sink into the rhythm of comfort and community. For a moment, she forgot where she came from.
