Page 21 of Taken By the Savage Highlander

Margo sat atop her horse, confused at what had just transpired. Her lips still tingled from meeting his. She could still feel the ghost of his touch on her waist.

He did not look at her as he walked back to his own horse. Gracefully, he pulled himself into the saddle. And, without glancing at her, he said, “Ye go ahead of me so I can ensure ye’re safe.”

“Of course,” she said, pressing her riding cane against the mare’s rump.

When she took her place in front of Cameron, she waited until she heard his horse begin its measured canter. Then, she set a steady pace. As they went, she felt his eyes burning into her.

The wind around them grew even stronger, and Margo shifted slightly. Though she’d joked after her near fall, it had scared her. She had already felt the Land being hostile, and now she had proof.

Perhaps whatever spirits call this place their home can tell that I am nae meant to be here, no matter how much I think I might fit in.

As they rode, she looked over her shoulder at Cameron. His eyes darted away, almost as if he did not trust himself to look at her. She wondered if she had done something wrong, if she had given him reason to pull away the way that he had.

“I wish I knew what to do,” she whispered to the mare, careful to keep her voice low enough that the wind wouldn’t carry it to the man behind her. “I am more confused now than I have ever been.”

As the castle came into view, she wondered when she had begun to yearn for his touch. It must have been somewhere between leaving the village and riding along the cliff. When he pulled her against him, she had not wanted to escape. She had welcomed his mouth against hers. As soon as he withdrew the contact, she had longed for it to return.

It did not take them very long to reach the gates. The guards greeted them, and Margo did her best to smile. After the day she’d had, though, their gaze felt much more critical than it had when they left.

“I will take yer mare, me Lady,” the groom said, running forward to greet them.

He must have been informed of our approach.

Margo hopped down, passing the riding cane to the man. She turned, looking to see if Cameron was still following her. She couldn’t decide whether she was disappointed or angry that he had so quickly occupied himself with the guards.

“Margo!”

She turned, a real smile spreading over her face when she saw Eleanor running toward her. Her sister’s hair was done; likely the work of Tilly. There was an excited little bounce in her gait.

“There you are,” Margo said, opening her arms to allow Eleanor to hug her. When they parted, Margo asked, “I hope your day was enjoyable?”

“It was,” Eleanor confirmed, grabbing Margo’s wrist and dragging her toward the castle’s main entrance. “I want to hear about your day. What did you see? Could I go next time?”

Margo’s thoughts faltered as she was uncertain about what she should say. Finally, she decided on “We visited the most charming fishing village. The people there are so kind.”

“The sea isn’t too far from here, then?” Eleanor asked, marching Margo straight up the stairs, seeming to make a beeline for her chambers.

“It is less than an hour by horseback,” Margo confirmed.

“And I can come next time?” Eleanor pressed again, clearly not willing to let the subject fall.”

“I will have to speak with Laird MacLeod,” Margo said carefully. “The lands here are unlike the lands in England.”

“It feels as if they’re alive, doesn’t it?” Eleanor muttered astutely, finally freeing Margo’s arm when they reached her door. “Tilly taught me to feed the kittens while you were away. I would like to help this time.”

“You spent your day in my quarters, didn’t you?” Margo asked, nodding politely at Tilly, who was on the floor with all of the kittens asleep in her lap.

“I spent my day with Tilly and the kittens,” Eleanor corrected as she plopped herself onto the ground next to the maid.

The movement was enough to gently coax the kittens into wakefulness. Slowly, they crawled out of Tilly’s lap, beginning to mewl. Spotting the bottle of milk that Tilly had been keeping nearby, Margo grabbed it and joined the other two on the ground.

“Ye look quite tired, Lady Margo,” Tilly noted as Margo pulled one of the kittens close to her. “Perhaps ye should rest.”

“I will rest once the kittens are fed,” Margo said, almost dismissively. Then, regretting her sharp tone, she added, “Getting them fed will be faster if the three of us work together. Eleanor said you taught her how.”

“Aye!” Tilly said excitedly, passing the orange kitten to Eleanor before picking up the tabby that was trying to pounce on her skirt. “They’re gettin’ so big, though. It willnae be long until they’re drinkin’ milk from the bowl without our help. Then they’ll be eatin’ fish and meat scraps.”

“And then they will work to keep the castle free of rodents,” Eleanor said, carefully spooning milk into the kitten’s mouth. “But I do not know if this one will be any good at it. He seems to prefer sleeping all day rather than playing with his siblings.”