Page 38 of Taken By the Ruthless Highlander
Pulling her into the darkest corner he could find, he spun her around to face him. Giving her a once-over, he couldn’t help but be somewhat impressed with her ingenuity. She certainly looked the part of a man, better than she played it.
“Let me go,” she grumbled as she tried to wrench her hand from his grip.
“Explain what it is ye think ye’re doin’ here? Ye came to spy on me? Is that it? Yer jealousy and curiosity are goin’ get ye into trouble,” Ryder snarled.
For a moment, he was grateful for the trouble Felix had landed himself in, even if it meant he’d be banned from the tavern for a while.
“Me? What areyedoin’ here?” Morgana retorted as her back hit into the side of the tavern.
Ryder towered over her, refusing to give her an inch. Had she come to spy on him? There was no other reason anyone would want to come to Lochcairn except to make unsavory deals with unsavory people.
“I’m the one askin’ the questions here. Is this how ye did it, then? And here I thought ye were innocent. I’m nae easily fooled, so well done,” Ryder growled.
He hated the fact that she was there. But even more so, he hated the reason why she was there. Had she been following him since he left the castle? He was certain he’d taken the longer route to discourage such things, but no one could deter a woman scorned.
“What?” Morgana’s eyes widened as she glanced around, no doubt looking for a way out or her accomplice.
A tingle snaked up Ryder’s spine, and he glanced over his shoulder. There was a shadow growing in the back of his mind as he waited for someone to jump out and rescue her.
“What are ye on about?”
“What are ye doin’ here? Tryin’ to hire someone to get rid of me too?” he hissed as he grabbed her waist.
Her eyes widened at the warmth of his touch. The thrill of the moment flooded through Ryder as he studied her.
“I dinnae understand…”
“I’m nae playin’ a game with ye, Morgana. Now, tell me exactly what ye’re doin’ here in Lochcairn, or I’ll drag ye straight to the council and have ye hanged tonight.”
The color drained from her face as her body went limp.
Ryder had not been expecting that. It was as if all the happiness and love had disappeared from the world. As much as he wanted to take back his words, it was far too late. What was said was said.
He watched as she reached into her shirt and pulled out a letter, before she handed it to him without uttering a word.
“What is this?” he huffed, realizing he’d already crossed a line.
She had disengaged from the conversation. Her eyes had glossed over. There was no salvaging the situation. From her reaction alone, she was innocent, and he’d put on her the blame the council was willing to hang her with.
“A letter,” she mumbled. “From my braither.”
Ryder’s eyes narrowed as he took the letter from her. He unfolded it and scanned its contents. By all accounts, it was from her brother, but it still gave no reason to leave the castle.
He glared at her for a moment, but her expression hadn’t changed. Clearly, there was something he was missing.
He turned his attention to the letter once again. Upon closer inspection, he put together the hidden message in it.
“Feya? I’ve heard ye mention her a time or two. And why should I care who the lass is?” he asked, his voice softening.
Morgana wasn’t there to spy on him. And it became very obvious that she never would have seen him had he not pulled her aside.
“My sister,” she answered. “I fear she is missin’. We havenae heard from her in months. Tormod was supposed to meet up with her, but as ye can read for yerself, she didnae show up.”
Ryder arched an eyebrow as he pulled in a long, deep breath. “I wish ye didnae come. This town is far too dangerous for someone like ye.”
“I can handle myself, thank ye,” Morgana huffed.
“I’m sure ye can,” Ryder said, trying to mask his smirk. “But ye shouldnae have come here. If ye needed help, ye should have come to me in my study. There are far too many ears around here that dinnae need to ken our business.”
