Chapter 24
The rest of the walk back to the castle passed in relative silence. Ryan had sent Aaron ahead, instructing him to inform Cali and Izzy that everyone was safe. For now, it was just he and the warm weight of Margaret in his arms.
She took steady breaths, leaning against his chest. Her fingers tangled in his doublet. It seemed as though she had come up with a rhythm that would soothe her. Ryan wasn’t going to disturb it, not after the ordeal she had just experienced.
It wasn’t until the two of them were nearly at the gates that Margaret spoke, whispering, “Thank you for coming to rescue me. I don’t know what I would have done if it weren’t for you.”
“Ye daenae need to thank me, Margaret,” he replied, his gruff voice growing softer around the edges. “I told ye I would protect ye, and I daenae make promises I daenae keep. Yer trust is important to me. Ye’re important to me.”
Margaret’s breath hitched, but she stayed quiet. Ryan couldn’t be sure if her hesitancy to speak was because of his words or the guards that were near enough to hear them. It truly didn’t matter to him. He didn’t need her to respond. He’d simply told her the truth.
It dosenae matter if she feels the same way. I will always protect her, just as I said I would. It’s nae because she’s me wife either though I’m becoming more and more fond of this arrangement.
The pair had barely entered the castle when Cali came rushing toward them. As gently as he could, Ryan set Margaret on the ground. Keeping a hand on her lower back, he helped her remain upright when Cali threw her arms around Margaret.
“Ye have nay 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 reached forward, 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 go of 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.”
Giving Ryan 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 request seemed 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’s get 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 shortly after her head hit the pillow.
She’d allowed Ryan to wipe the dirt and grime away from where 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 rubbed circles 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 gone for 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.”
His mouth was so close to Margaret’s. Thoughts of leaning forward to connect their lips flashed through her mind. A gentle heat pulsed through her, but the bulk of it was concentrated between her legs.
“I’m glad she did, too,” Margaret whispered, feeling as though the two of them were on the edge of something even more meaningful than what happened at the loch. “But I think that even before you arrived, I knew you would come. There was never any doubt in my mind that you would come to my rescue.”
His hand came up to cup her cheek, tilting her head so that their lips were just centimeters apart. Margaret’s breath hitched, and she had to force herself to stay still. Longing pulsed through her, making every fiber of her being cry out for him.
“I love ye, Margaret,” he said after a beat, the words reverent and sure. “I didnae think I’d ever be capable of love, but I love ye with me whole heart.”
Margaret pulled back, her eyes wide, her heart pounding relentlessly in her chest. The sincerity was plain. He meant every word he said, and Margaret wasn’t surprised to realize that she felt the same.
“I love you, too,” she replied, her chest aching, the physical sensation of the emotion almost overwhelming. “I… Ryan, I love you.”
Instead of responding with words, Ryan slipped his hand to the nape of her neck. Then, with confident gentleness, he brought her forward. When their lips met, Margaret felt as though everything clicked into place.
His mouth was warm and steady against hers, insistent on being demanding. It was sweet, but she found it wasn’t enough. So, she decided to push a bit.
Margaret opened her mouth, allowing their kiss to grow deeper. Ryan didn’t hesitate to accept her invitation. He intensified the contact as his fingers threaded through her hair, scratching her scalp softly.
A noise escaped her lips without permission. Embarrassment threatened to take hold of her, but it only seemed to entice Ryan further. He held on to her harder, pulling her so she was completely flush against his chest. Underneath her rear, she felt something stiffen.
She pulled back, their lips making an obscene sound when they parted. With wide eyes, she stared down at Ryan. His pupils were blown, the brown of his irises overtaken by his desire.
“Ach sorry—”
“Don’t apologize,” Margaret said, shifting down onto the protrusion.
Ryan let out a low groan, leaning forward and connecting his mouth with her neck. There was a rush of wetness between Margaret’s legs, and her own wants made her feel dizzy. All the feelings she experienced at the loch came back to her in full force.
“Ye have no idea what ye’re doin’ to me, lass,” Ryan said, his breath fanning out against her throat.
“Then show me,” she demanded, issuing a challenge she knew he wouldn’t be able to resist.