The smell of fresh hay filled his senses as he entered the empty stables and headed toward a stall at the end.
“I am perfectly capable of leadin’ the horse to her stall, me Laird. And I am to be a prisoner in yer castle?” She took hold of the reins just as she caught up to him.
Finally snapping, Callum rounded on her, pulling the reins from her hands as he closed the distance between them. “I never said that ye were a prisoner, lass, but I did warn ye that the castle wasnae safe. I daenae have time to worry about ye when I daenae even ken whom I can trust!” He raised his voice, backing her into a stall as he let go of the reins and allowed the horse to wander to her stall.
Eleanor’s eyes widened as her mouth fell slightly open.
I shouldnae have spoken to her like that.
Callum’s anger subsided a little as he closed his eyes and focused on his breathing. The look in Eleanor’s eyes again tugged at his chest when he opened his eyes.
She did not look sad or even hurt, yet there was something in her eyes that made him regret his temper. “I see. I will be more careful to run matters by ye first in the future, me Laird. Now, if ye would excuse me, I would like to go back to me chambers, that is if ye daenae mind.” She lifted her chin defiantly in the air as she pursed her lips into a thin line and pushed past him.
He swore under his breath, watching her walk away from him.
I should go after her…
His fists clenched at his sides, yet his feet refused to move.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Soft rain began to pelt the earth just as Eleanor entered her chambers and began to remove her cloak.
I daenae have time to worry about ye.
Callum’s words came back to her as she shut the door behind her and leaned against the wood. What did his words mean? She had been angry at him for raising his voice at her, but his slight confession had thrown her again.
Has he been worried about me?
Her thoughts brought a sigh to her lips as she shook her head and pushed herself away from the door. What use was there in wondering what the man had meant when she would be back home in less than a few weeks? Callum would be someone she would never see again.
The thought frustrated her as she struggled against the images of his hands running over her body. She had liked the kiss; there was no denying that. The ride had given her enough clarity to admit to herself that she found him attractive. The heat that seared in her core was more than enough to let her know that she needed to keep as far away from him as possible.
A knock on the door drew her attention back to the present. “Who is it?” she called out, grateful for the distraction.
“It is Marion, Mistress. I have brought ye some tea after yer ride.” She sounded cheerful again.
Feeling a sense of relief, Eleanor allowed herself to smile. “Ye can come in.”
The door opened to reveal a bright-faced and cheerful Marion balancing a tray on her hip. All traces of the incident from earlier seemed to have been wiped away, and Eleanor marveled at the girl’s resilience.
“Did ye enjoy yer ride, Mistress?” Marion asked as she shut the door behind her.
“Aye, until the Laird so much as told me that I am nae to do it again,” she complained with a sigh, feeling as if she could let out her frustrations in front of Marion.
Stopping in her tracks, Marion looked at her in confusion. “Are ye certain that the Laird wasnae just concerned for ye, Mistress?Laird Callum Fraser isnae a bad man. He can snap at ye when he is angry, but he always means well.”
“Well, he certainly doesnae have to worry about me. I can take care of meself.” She heaved another sigh before making her way over to the window and sitting at the desk where she could look out at the rain-soaked moors. She had not found anything of interest on her ride, yet the sense that her brother would have taken those same paths had driven her on.
She had not meant to stay away for hours on end, yet Callum had acted as if she had placed his entire clan at risk.
What if I had?
Her heart suddenly stilled as she thought of all the unrest that she had learned of upon their arrival. Someone inside Callum’s clan, and possibly even his council, had betrayed him on the day of his hunt. They were the reason that he had ended up on that road that had led to Fiona’s cabin. A chill ran down her spine when she thought of what could have happened if someone had found him alone.
“Would ye like yer tea now, Mistress?” Marion asked as she placed the tray in front of Eleanor on the now clear desk. Callum had insisted on moving all his documents into the study once their research began to pile up.
“Thank ye, Marion.” Eleanor accepted the cup, feeling the warmth seep into her hands. The refreshing aroma filled hersenses, making her feel a little more at ease despite the confusion of her confrontation with Callum.