Runninga hand through his brown hair, he exited the castle. He needed time to sort through his thoughts before he decided what to do next. There was no need to act when he was so angry. The prisoner had information that Ryan needed, so Ryan had to be tactful about his methods.
I’ll haveto be careful. If I’m too harsh on him, he willnae be able to speak to give me the name I need. But that doesnae mean I cannae rough him up a wee bit. He deserves it.
He was so absorbedin his own mind that he didn’t notice another person walking straight at him. If they hadn’t put their hands out to stop him, he would have barreled right into them. As it was, he still nearly did.
“Ach, I’m sorry,”he said, looking down at the person he nearly knocked over.
“You seem distracted,”Margaret observed, giving him a look that was a mix between concern and amusement. It only served to endear him to her even further. “Are you all right?”
“Aye, everythin’is fine,” he replied, somehow feeling more at ease with this woman around. “I was just thinkin’. I should have been watchin’ where I was going. I could have knocked ye right over.”
“You should have been,”she agreed. Then, thoughtfully, she said, “The gardens seem like a good place to work through anything that’s bothering you.”
“Aye, it is,”Ryan said, wondering if that was why she was here. “So, did ye send the letter to yer family?”
The subject changemade Margaret beam. He offered her his arm, gesturing to the path around the garden. After she rested her hand in the crook of his elbow, she responded.
“I handed it off to a maid,”she said, taking control of the path they walked. She tugged him in a different directionthan he’d have normally taken. As he let himself be guided, Margaret continued, “She seemed so excited about the prospect of meeting my family that I’m sure the letter is already on its way to England.”
“Yer family comin’to visit would give the maids plenty to gossip about,” Ryan laughed. “I’m sure they’re already talkin’ about the possibility.”
She giggled,and he noticed that there was a bit of a skip in her step. Her voice had a musical quality when she said, “I do hope they agree to visit. This is the longest I’ve gone without seeing them. I’m sure my aunt and uncle are worried sick.”
She speaks quitea bit about her aunt and uncle, but I havenae heard her refer to her parents.
“Ye’reclose with yer aunt and uncle, then?” he asked as they rounded a corner to a more private part of the garden.
He ledMargaret to a stone bench surrounded by purple flowering bushes. As they sat down, their bodies close together, she said, “I am quite close to them. They raised me, though, so I suppose it’s only natural.”
“Aye, I suppose ye’re right,”he said, the steadiness of her body further soothing his mind. It was strange that she had this effect on him, but he couldn’t bring himself to be bothered by it. In fact, he welcomed her comfort. “What about yer parents? Are ye close with them?”
“Ah, well…”she muttered, looking away from him. She focused on the flowers next to them, caressing the petals with her fingertips. “I’m an orphan. My aunt and uncle took me in when I was very young.”
Ryan pulledher hand from his arm and tangled their fingers together. She glanced down at their interlocked hands then her gray eyes met his.
“I’m sorry,”he said, rubbing his thumb over hers in a gesture of comfort. “That must have been difficult for ye.”
“You don’t have to be,”she said, smiling softly. There wasn’t any hurt there, just quiet resignation. “It’s quite normal to me. I suppose it’s a bit sad, but I’m not sad about it anymore. It’s just a part of life. I forgot that the people here wouldn’t know my story.”
“I’m glad ye told me,”Ryan said, glad that he was finally getting to know his wife better. He wondered what other hardships she might be bearing. He found that he wanted to help carry that load. “I will make sure to keep it from the maids. They’ve been gossipin’ up a storm lately. Best we daenae give them more fuel for their fire.”
“I appreciate that,”Margaret said, leaning her head against his shoulder. “Though it won’t be long until they find out. It’s not like it’s a secret. If they don’t find out before my family gets here, I’m sure they’ll put it together once they arrive.”
The warmth rollingoff her was intoxicating. It was as though something had changed within her after their conversation this morning. He wanted to explore it more, but he didn’t want to spook her. He would accept the parts of herself that she offered gratefully.
“Ach, I suppose ye’re right,”he said. “They’re quite adept at gettin’ information.”
She hummed softly in affirmation.Then she said, “I don’t know anything about your childhood. What was it like?”
“Me childhoodwith me parents wasnae great,” he started, glad that she was leaning against him and not watching his face. “Me father wasnae a nice man. He believed in physical punishments, and I wasnae a well-behaved child, even though he tried to force me to be.”
“Ryan,”she said, lifting her head slightly.
He shook his head,not wanting to see the pity in her expression. He’d come to terms with the realities of his childhood a long time ago. It was difficult, and it made him question his worth. Now, he knew that he was strong, deserving of his title as Laird McGhee.
“It wasnae all awful,”Ryan said, his tone as soothing as he could manage. “I had Aaron. He was me best friend, and when me parents died, he welcomed me into his clan. I was there for twelve years before me cousin passed, and I became Laird McGhee. He and I were thick as thieves. He’s still me best friend,but I daenae see him often. I cannae get away from things that need me attention.”
“It soundslike Aaron is a wonderful man,” she said gently, her cadence soft and thoughtful. “And it doesn’t surprise me that you’re unable to get away. It seems like the people of Clan McGhee are quite fond of you and the way you lead. They trust you to take care of them.”