Margaret could have stayed herefor the rest of her day. There was something peaceful about watching nature at work. This creature was carrying out its duties, unhurried and unbothered by anything. Even having her this close didn’t seem to disturb the bee. So long as its audience kept to themselves, they could continue to observe.
“Ach, Margaret!”
Margaret gasped,jumping slightly at the sound of her name. When she clambered to her feet and spun around, Cali was standing there. She had a grin on her face and looked as though she belonged here among the delicate plants.
“You scared me,”Margaret said a little breathlessly, clutching her chest.
“Ye did seemmighty interested in whatever it was ye were lookin’ at,” Cali agreed, leaning to the side to see what had her so enthralled. “I called yer name twice before I was able to get yer attention.”
“Oh,”Margaret replied, blushing a little. “I was watching a bee. I hadn’t realized anyone was calling out to me. My apologies.”
“No need to apologize,”Cali assured her with a wave of her hand. She still wore a wild grin. “I heard ye might have quite a bit on yer mind.”
“I’m sorry?”she murmured, wondering what could have prompted that assumption.
Then,she remembered the way the maids and other servants had been gossiping. If she wanted clarity on what had them whispering about her, Cali would surely have the answers.
“What… have you heard?”Margaret asked, her tone guarded. “Others have been talking about me, I think. I can’t be sure. Whenever I get close, they stop and stare.”
“I suppose they’re just excited,”Cali hummed.
“Excited…”Margaret said the word slowly, trying to parse the meaning from it. When she came up short, she asked, “Why would they be excited? The wedding?”
“I’mcertain that’s part of it,” Cali said. Then, she leaned in close to Margaret, her eyes sweeping the surrounding area to ensure they weren’t being overheard. “Someone may have seen ye kissin’ the Laird quite passionately. The entire castle is ablaze with rumors about an heir makin’ an arrival soon.”
“I…”Margaret began, her face burning. “They?—”
“I ken, I ken,”Cali said, but the way she continued to smile made Margaret think that she didn’treallyknow. “I think they’re just excited. None of them thought we’d get a wee bairn runnin’ around so soon.”
“But…”Margaret said before shaking her head.
“It’s just rumors, Me Lady,”Cali said, finally sensing Margaret’s unease. “And it’s nae anyone but the staff of the castle talkin’. We werenae expectin’ him to find a wife, let alone one he seems so fond of. They’re just excited, that’s all.”
“Right, of course,”Margaret said, swallowing down bile. “That does make sense. I just wasn’t expecting to be the topic of such… intense conversations.”
“Aye,it must be a lot to take in,” Cali agreed, grabbing onto Margaret’s shoulder and squeezing sympathetically. “Perhaps it would help if I filled ye in on the ruckus in the kitchens this mornin’? Ye’d never believe the way they were behavin’.”
“Oh, maybe later,”Margaret said, touching the side of her head gently. “I think I’ve got a bit of a headache coming on. Perhaps I should lie down for a bit.”
Cali looked at her,a wrinkle of worry appearing between her brows. She frowned, saying, “Would ye like me to make ye a tincture? I’ve got just the thing that will take care of yer head.”
“That’s quite all right,”Margaret said as politely as she could. Panic was coursing through her body though. She knew that some of the urgency bled through. “Though if it’s not better by this evening, I’ll indulge.”
It seemedthat Cali didn’t want to let her go, but after a moment, she nodded and said, “Of course, Me Lady. But if ye need anythin’ before then, call for me. There’s a service bell in yer room that’ll alert me down in me quarters.”
“You don’t haveto worry about that,” Margaret assured her before hurrying back inside the castle.
Her breathing pickedup as she rushed through the corridors. They hadn’t closed the door to her quarters when they arrived at the castle last night. Anyone could have walked by and seen them. And now… now, who knew what they thought.
I need to find Ryan,and fast.
12
Locating Ryan took Margaret longer than she cared to admit. Each step she took and each room devoid of his presence only made her more anxious. She worried that these rumors would destroy her future.
By the timeshe found the Laird, she could barely breathe. She stood in the doorway of the library, looking at him. There was a book on his lap, and he seemed to be engrossed in the story.
It didn’t takehim long to sense that he was being watched, though. And when his eyes locked on hers, he put the novel aside and stood. As he crossed the floor, he asked, “What’s wrong? Did somethin’ happen to ye?”