“Mhm,”she hummed, not quite paying attention to the direction they were going.
It feltas if it were taking them longer than normal to get to her quarters. That could easily be explained, though. The time felt thicker than molasses. She couldn’t be sure whether a few minutes or a few hours had passed.
“I cannae rememberthe last time a celebration such as that was held in the castle,” he said, unbothered by her brief response. “It must have been years ago. Everyone must have been needin’ that.”
“I’mglad we could provide it,” Margaret said, fighting back a yawn. “I think perhaps I needed it too.”
Ryan madea noise of acknowledgment as he took them down another hallway. Margaret was certain that she hadn’t been to this part of the castle before. Was it possible they were taking a route she wasn’t aware of?
That must be it.He surely knows this castle like the back of his hand.
She keptthat thought at the back of her mind, choosing not to voice her observation. It wasn’t until they stopped in front of a door she didn’t recognize that she realized her assumption was incorrect. But she couldn’t seem to get her mouth to move as she was ushered into the room.
Once Ryan let goof her, Margaret looked around. There was a large bed against the far wall and a fire roaring in the hearth. It smelled strongly of the Laird, cedarwood, and something spicy.
I shouldn’t have letmy guard down. I can’t believe I let myself forget that Highlanders are usually crude. If I weren’t so tired, I could have stopped him from bringing me here and saved myself the walk I’m going to have to take back to my room.
She turnedto level Ryan with the most intimidating glare she could muster. Clearly, it didn’t inspire the reaction she desired. He was smirking at her with an eyebrow lifted.
“What’s that face for, Sassenach?”he asked when she didn’t say anything.
“First,I’m your wife now. Use my name,” Margaret said, his smile widening only fueling her frustration. “Second, this isn’t my quarters.”
“Nay,it’s nae yer chambers, Margaret,” he said, emphasizing her name. “These are me chambers.”
“Then why are we here?”she challenged as she inwardly cursed the way her face flushed at the way her name sounded from his lips.
“Ye said it yerself already,”he said, and she was positive he was being difficult on purpose. “Ye’re me wife now. We can nay longer sleep in separate chambers. We’re married.”
“I… You…”She stuttered, taking a quick step back. The jewels adorning her neck clicked together.
“If ye’re worried about anythin’happenin’, ye daenae need to,” he said, raising his hands as though surrendering. Then, something wicked flashed over his features. “Unless ye plan on instigatin’ somethin’.”
“Ryan—”
“I’mnae the kind of man that goes after unwillin’ partners.”
“Ryan!”she exclaimed again, that funny feeling in her stomach knocking into her.
“I’m just bein’honest with ye,” he said easily as he dropped his hands.
“Well,I’m not comfortable sharing a room with you,” Margaret squeaked, crossing her arms over her chest to try to make herself appear more in control than she felt.
“Ye should start gettin’comfortable with it, lass,” Ryan replied, loosening the knot holding his doublet closed. “This willnae change.”
He said something else,but Margaret’s tired mind went a little fuzzy as his chest was exposed. She swallowed hard, telling herself that he was doing this on purpose. If she were distracted, she wouldn’t be able to make her arguments.
“If you’re in charge,then you should be able to change whatever rule that says I have to sleep here,” she said, forcing herself to keep her eyes on his. Flecks of gold in his irises flashed in the firelight.
Ryan chuckled,taking a slow step toward her. Even though there was ample space between them and the room was largerthan her own, Margaret thought they might as well have been shoved in a wardrobe.
“There’s nae a rule,”he said with amusement. “But I’d have to explain to me council why me wife is refusin’ to stay with me.”
“You’re a smart man,”she sniffed, every nerve in her body lighting up as he took another step closer to her. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
“Aye, I could,”he agreed, making a show of considering her statement. “But wouldnae it be easier just to share the room? I’m sure they’d want to hear from me wife as well, get her side of things. Do ye think ye could provide them with a convincin’ argument?”
“I…”She swallowed. He was within arm’s length of her now. “I believe I could.”