Ever since shewas a small girl, her aunt warned her about Scottish men. She’d never heard of them as anything but cruel, vicious beasts. In every story she’d been told, the Highland men barely held back around women. They’d use them before they threw them away.
She remembered her aunt saying,“Highlanders don’t care about what you want, Margaret. They’ll take what they want before they leave you to deal with the aftermath.”
Margaret shuddered,keeping her head down. The words echoed in her mind. They took root there like a stubborn weed that refused to go away, no matter how many times she pulled it.
Hadshe been told a story that contradicted that, even one, she wouldn’t be so fearful. Because she had nothing else, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she wasn’t seeing the entire picture of him. He’d been kind so far, but his demeanor could switch at any moment.
Chewing demurelyon a mouthful of savory pudding, Margaret glanced at Ryan. His gaze was on the tables before them again, and it seemed as though he was watching for something. Those around him held him in high regard… or, Margaret was fairly certain they did, even if they seemed surprised to see him with her.
Well,in any case, this is still much better than being with Duke Cunningham; I’m sure of that.
5
The castle was just as confusing today as it was when Margaret arrived the day prior. It was so much bigger than the manor in which she grew up, and she believed that she wouldn’t map out the place, no matter how much exploring she did.
Currently,she was attempting to find her way to the gardens she’d spotted the day before. While she could see them from nearly every corridor she traversed, she’d yet to find a door that led to them.
I supposeif I used the front door, I could walk around the castle. There must be a faster way, though.
“Still walkin’around, I see,” Cali said, stepping out from a passageway that Margaret hadn’t seen. “Enjoyin’ Castle McGhee?”
“I am,”Margaret replied, trying to temper the rapid beating of her heart at being caught by surprise. “Though I can’t seem to find my bearings in the place.”
“Aye, that’s by design,”Cali said, her eyes sweeping around the corridor. “Though ye likely came to that conclusion on yer own. Ye seem like a smart lass.”
Somethingabout the statement sent a shiver down Margaret’s spine. Logically, she knew that the layout was a safety feature, to keep intruders busy while those who couldn’t fight escaped. In fact, she’d even thought that the castle had been designed this way purposely. But could not the winding halls be used to keep someone captive?
“Ye should see the gardens,”Cali continued, nonplussed by Margaret’s lack of response. “They’re nearly as bonnie as ye, Me Lady.”
“Perhaps you could take me there,”Margaret said, still unsure of how to react to being referred to as the lady of the castle. “That’s where I’m trying to go, but I can’t seem to find them.”
That’ll takesome getting used to, I suppose.
“Aye, I’d love to,”she said, the expression on her face precluding what Margaret was sure would be disappointing news. “But the Laird is lookin’ for ye. I’ve been sent to find ye.”
“He’s looking for me?”Margaret muttered, blinking a few times in rapid succession. “Did he say why?”
“Nay,”Cali replied, giving her a sly smile. “If ye asked me to guess, I’d assume our Laird wants to spend time with his bride-to-be. Have ye set a weddin’ date?”
“Oh.Not quite yet, but I’m sure we will soon,” Margaret said, doing her best to return Cali’s grin. “Right. Of course. And do you happen to know where he may be?”
“Aye,last I saw him, he was headin’ to his study.” She stood there, apparently waiting for Margaret to head that way herself. “I’d say that’s where he is now.”
“Um,”Margaret said, fidgeting with her skirts. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. “Would you mind pointing me in that direction? I’m a bit turned around.”
“Right, of course, ye are,”Cali said warmly before taking off in the direction she came from, casting her gaze over her shoulder to ensure Margaret was following along. “Took me longer than I care to admit figuring the place out meself. I still get lost from time to time if the moon is out.”
“Then I’ll domy best to keep from getting discouraged while I learn,” Margaret joked.
Unlike the otherplayful statements she’d made since crossing the border, this one earned a laugh from Cali. It was a softsound, reminding her a bit of the way Eva giggled behind her hand. For the first time since arriving at the castle, Margaret felt like there was someone truly on her side.
Funny how gettinga laugh will do that.
The temporary warmththe interaction provided her faded in the same way a candle’s flame did when it ran out of wax at the sight of a figure looming down the hallway. Her smile wilted, and the hair on her arms stood up. She didn’t need to be able to see his features to know that it was Ryan.
His frame was unmistakable.Broad and muscular, he was imposing. And as Margaret continued to approach, she could see the severe expression on his face. It looked as though the amusement and playfulness from yesterday had waned. Looking over her shoulder for help, Margaret was disappointed to find that Cali had already retreated.
Ah,she must think she’s intruding on a private moment between two people who are set to be married truly. She doesn’t know that all of this is fake and that I will leave if I can.