“Ye havenay idea how frightened I was!” she cried, the words coming out thick as though she were fighting back tears. “One minute, ye were with me, going after a deer, and the next…”
She trailed off,not needing to say the rest. It seemed as though Aaron had told them what had happened. Or if he hadn’t, Cali had pieced it together for herself.
“I’m all right,”Margaret assured her, returning her maid’s embrace. “You’re the one who came and told Ryan, correct? If you hadn’t done that… well, I don’t want to think about what may have happened if you hadn’t.”
“You arenae hurt, are ye?”Cali demanded, pulling back just enough to appraise Margaret’s appearance. She reachedforward, tracing her fingers over a scratch on Margaret’s neck. “Oh, Margaret…”
“It’s nothing,”Margaret assured her, reaching up to touch the spot herself. “I hadn’t even realized anything was there.”
Cali let goof Margaret with a determined look on her face. “I’ll make ye somethin’ to put on it. Best we get ye cleaned as well. I daenae want ye to get an infection.”
“That’s enough, Cali,”Ryan said, finally stepping in. “What she needs right now is rest. I’m sure she wants some time to relax a bit.”
GivingRyan a smile over her shoulder, Margaret said, “I would like some time to sit and breathe. But I would appreciate it if you brought something by in a bit though. You’re right. I wouldn’t want to get an infection.”
Margaret’s requestseemed to placate Cali. The tightness of her shoulders eased, and the smile on her face became genuine. It was obvious she was still shaken from the experience, but Ryan assumed that they were all fairly shaken.
“Cali, do ye mind makin’sure that Izzy and Aaron get comfortable in their chambers?” Ryan asked, deciding that keeping the maid busy would be best for her. She seemed as though she were thrumming with nervous energy. “I’m sure they’re tired after travelin’ to be with us. Perhaps the four of us will take our supper in our quarters tonight.”
“I think that sounds lovely,”Izzy piped up from where she was leaning against Aaron. “We’ve all had a long day, haven’t we, Aaron?”
“Aye,”Aaron agreed. “We’ll have our proper introductions tomorrow. Cali, we’ll follow ye to our rooms.”
“Of course,”Cali said, giving Margaret one last lingering look before she led Aaron and Izzy down a corridor toward the guest quarters.
Now that they were alone,Ryan rested his palm on her shoulder. She jumped slightly at the contact before turning around to give him a soft smile. When he urged her closer, she went easily, allowing herself to be tucked against his side.
“Let’sget ye to our chambers,” he said, already beginning to walk the two of them away from the great hall. “I’m sure ye could use a long rest before Cali arrives to fuss over ye.”
“I think you’re right,”Margaret agreed as they made their way down the corridor. “But I’d prefer you stayed while I rested.”
“I willnae leave ye,”Ryan promised her. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep ye safe.”
Margaret had fallen asleep shortlyafter her head hit the pillow. She’d allowed Ryan to wipe the dirt and grime away fromwhere the dagger had been pressed against her throat. Luckily, her skin wasn’t broken. The only thing that she’d been left with from the encounter was an angry red line that would go away within a few days.
When she sat upright,the bed below her creaked. Ryan looked up at her from where he was sitting next to the fire. As she stretched her arms above her, he put the book he’d been reading to the side and crossed the room.
“How are ye feelin’?”he asked, settling on the edge of the mattress and keeping his volume low as if he were still worried about waking her.
“I’m all right,”Margaret answered, brushing a loose strand of her blonde hair from her face. “I think I needed that rest.”
“Aye, I figured ye did,”Ryan said as he reached for her hand. “Are ye hungry? I can call for Cali and have her bring ye up somethin’ to eat.”
“I’m not hungry,”she said, smiling down at the place where Ryan had intertwined their fingers. “I think I’m quite content at the moment.”
His thumb rubbedcircles against the back of her hand. The pleasant warmth of the gesture flooded her senses. Somehow, despite the events earlier in the day, she’d never felt safer.
Cunningham’s gone.There’s no chance of his hurting me or trying to get to me. And it’s all thanks to Ryan.
“Ye ken, Margaret,”he said into the silken quiet around them, “I was scared that I lost ye.”
“I wasn’t gonefor that long,” Margaret said, sliding closer to him. “And I’m right here. You didn’t lose me. Ryan, you saved me.”
“I ken ye’re here,”he replied as he pulled her even closer to his body. His free hand found its place on her hip, holding onto her tightly as if she might disappear. “But when Cali came runnin’ in to tell me that ye were gone, me mind jumped to the worst. Then I saw that bastard with his hands on ye, and…”
Margaret leaned forward,resting her forehead against his. She squeezed his hand gently as she said, “I broke away from him. And you took care of him. If you hadn’t been there, I was going to run back toward the castle to get your help.”
“Ach,but so much could have gone wrong,” Ryan said as he hauled her onto his lap. “I daenae want to think about what may have happened had I nae been there. I’m just glad Cali got to me when she did.”