Page 26 of Bride of the Merciless Laird
Then, from the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of movement beyond the cottage. Her heart jumped and she felt her palms grow moist.
Someone was there.
CHAPTER TWELVE
She looked around, her eyes now adjusted to the gloom, staring into the shadows, frozen, fearful of moving and possibly drawing attention to herself.
Was it Harris? Had he somehow found her and managed to infiltrate the castle?
Straining her eyes she heard nothing save the faint rustling of a breeze among the plants. Yet, she felt a presence there. Ghostly fingers crawled up her spine causing her to shiver and catch her breath. Her chest ached as the icy-cold slowly seeped into her bones.
Slowly, inch-by-inch she gathered her skirts, and took a few tentative steps along the path. If she could just pass the cottage, then someone from the keep would see her. She could call for help, make a dash for it across the courtyard.
It was then she heard the footsteps behind her. Forsaking all caution, she darted along the path, desperate to escape.
She had almost made it to the corner when a hand seized her arm in a grip of iron, wrenching her against the wall.
The same terror she’d experienced only a few nights earlier washed over her, and she sucked in a breath, readying herself to scream while there was still time.
“‘Let go!’ she shouted, hoping someone would hear, and she slapped at the figure’s hand to free herself.”
“Lady Tyra. ‘Tis Ewan.”
She looked up, unable to fully make out his features, but there was something in his stance she recognized at once. The scream died on her lips.
He released her arm and she leaned heavily against the wall, fearing her legs had turned to water. Her chest heaved as she struggled to catch her breath.
“What dae ye mean by following me here and terrifying the life out of me?” she said crossly.
His voice in response was something between a grumble and a growl.
“I dinnae wish ye harm, Lady Tyra,” he said through gritted teeth. “But I dinnae take kindly tae the accusations ye made of me, impugning me word, without granting me the courtesy of being able tae defend what ye’re holding me tae.”
She huffed. “Oh? Then pray say yer piece now and explain how ye came tae be dallying wi’ the bonnie maid in the passageway.”
He snorted. “Ye’re mistaken. I wasnae dallying. I dinnae ken the wee lass. I was passing her and she slipped. I had simply taken her elbow and helped keep her upright wi’ me other hand tae prevent her falling headlong when ye appeared at the end of the passageway. Naught else passed between us.”
Tyra’s indignation left her like the air rushing from an emptying bladder of ale. She bit her lip. Apologies never came easily to her.
“If what ye say is the truth, then I admit I may have been hasty in me assumption.”
He growled an acknowledgment. “Aye. Hasty it was.” His tone was sharp.
He raised his head and she shuffled away from the wall, her ruffled feathers smoothing into place at the realization that she had badly misjudged him.
“I’ll thank ye tae mind yer assumptions in future.” Dinnae mistake me fer someone ye once kent. A lad with few morals and little care fer others.”
“I understand,” she said quietly, taking his sharp admonishment to heart. It was a mistake to judge him by Harris’s standards.
While they’d been talking an icy wind sprang into life, swirling the smirr that had enveloped the courtyard into icy sleet.
A cold, wet, splodge landed on her cheek, and then another.
Suddenly deluged, they both turned, their conversation forgotten, and made a mad dash along the path. Within only a few steps Tyra’s hair was soaking and plastered to her face.
In a heartbeat, Ewan had raised his cloak and flung it around over both of them.
“I can manage,” she snapped, jolting away.
