18
The scream echoed through the entire castle, sharp enough to set Ryan’s instincts on edge. He’d never heard that sound before, yet he knew exactly whom the cry belonged to.
Margaret.
He rushedthrough the castle doors, ignoring his guards at the gate asking him what was wrong. Nothing mattered to him except getting to his wife. She sounded as though she were in serious distress, and the noise had come from near the forest.
Who kenswhat she’s run into out there. Bandits maybe. Or perhaps our thief’s friend has come to attempt to strike back.
It unsettledRyan as he rushed toward the source of the noise that he hadn’t heard anything else. The quiet was worse than any sort of sounds of struggle would have been. Quiet meant that Margaret could be hurt… or worse.
His hand closedon his blade as he hit the tree line. His first instinct was to traverse the woods. But when he glanced down the line, he realized that his concern was unfounded.
Margaret stoodwith Cali several paces behind her. Nuzzling her hand was a deer, still sporting the spots of its youth. His wife seemed enamored of the creature, grinning as her gray eyes sparkled with mirth.
Slowly,he walked toward the trio. He was careful to keep his footsteps light, and he sheathed his dagger as he walked though he kept his palm resting on the handle. The initial panic at the thought of Margaret being injured still nipped at his sides.
“What happened?”Ryan asked when he was within earshot, keeping his voice low not to spook the creature. “I heard ye scream.”
Margaret lookedbetween him and the fawn, a blush covering her bonnie cheeks. She looked down at the grass, nudging the patch in front of her with her toe. Despite her clear embarrassment, there was still a soft smile on her face.
“My apologiesfor making a commotion and worrying you,” she said, meeting his gaze sheepishly. “I was just startled when this darling thing came out of the forest.”
“It’s true, Me Laird,”Cali said, tucking a stray strand of her red hair behind her ear. “We were out for a walk, and this precious thing came to greet us.”
“Seems to like ye,”Ryan noted, continuing to approach slowly. The deer glanced at him but seemed unbothered by his presence. Or perhaps, it was more concerned with soaking up as much attention from Margaret as it could. “Creatures like this one are quite common in the area.”
“Really?”Margaret said thoughtfully, scratching behind the animal’s ears and causing it to tilt its head for more. “It’s my first time seeing one. Are they all this friendly?”
“Ye daenae have deer in England?”Ryan asked, waiting for Margaret to shake her head. Then, the corner of his mouth pulled upward as he said, “Nay. Nae all the deer are friendly like this. Normally, they’d run away when they hear someone yellin’. This one’s young. They tend to be braver when they’re small.”
“I see,”she said, pulling her hand away when the deer jerked its head back toward the forest. “Then I feel quite lucky to have met this creature.”
“I’d sayit’s lucky to have met ye,” Ryan told her as they watched the animal get swallowed by the foliage.
He could pinpointthe exact second that Margaret processed the meaning of his words. She locked eyes with him for a moment then she looked back into the woods. Beside her, Cali covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a giggle.
“’Tis about timefor ye to head back to the castle, is it nae?” Ryan asked the maid.
She glancedup at the sun’s placement in the sky before murmuring something behind her hand. When she dropped it, she said, “Aye, ye’re right, Me Laird. I trust ye’ll get our Lady back to the castle safely?”
“Aye,”Ryan informed her. Then, as she was leaving, he said, “Daenae let Colby sneak anythin’ from the kitchens.”
“Ach, did ye have a tiff?”Cali asked, looking back as she fished for more gossip.
“Nay, but he’s been gettin’on me nerves. He’s overeager and cannae respect the decisions I make as the Laird,” Ryan replied, causing both of the women to laugh.
“Then I will ensurehe doesnae sneak anythin’ before supper.”
“Thank ye,”Ryan said, dismissing her by turning his attention back to Margaret.
She was staringinto the tree line, her eyes focused on the spot where the fawn had disappeared. The setting sun cast a golden glow over her skin. Ryan had never denied her beauty, but in this lighting, she looked absolutely ethereal.
I’mnae sure a man like me should be so lucky to have a woman like her.
Before he spoketo her again, he noticed the slight slump of her shoulders. It seemed she was sad that the animal had run off,likely to rejoin its family. Ryan decided at that moment that he’d do whatever it took to keep her from looking that way.
Ach,maybe Colby’s right. Perhaps I am gettin’ soft for the wee Sassenach.