Page 56 of A Virgin for the Highland Beast
“This is horrible,” Emma gasped as she stepped away from her sister.
“How so? From where I stand, it solidifies yer place here. The only other thing ye can do is have a bairn.”
Emma glanced around the open field, her attention shifting to the stone walls of the castle that rose up to the sky behind them.
“It never happened,” Emma whispered.
Nora stepped closer, tilting her head. “What was that?”
“It never happened. Hunter and I never did, well, anythin’ more than touch and kiss,” Emma whispered, shame flooding her cheeks. “But that explains the side glances I received this mornin’ from the servants. I should have been more careful.”
“Nonsense,” Nora said with a wave of her hand. “Ye’re the Lady, and he is the Laird. Ye do as ye please now. And I’d nae tell a soul about what really transpired last night. Let them think ye could be carryin’ a bairn. I’m certain the council will be pleased, and you’ll have held up yer end of the bargain wit’ Hunter.”
Emma stood there, a small figure amidst the expansiveness of the open field, her gaze locked on the fortress that represented both her new life and her deepening quandary. The castle’s formidable stone façade seemed to mirror the walls she felt rising around her own heart—walls of vulnerability and embarrassment.
She wondered if Hunter was aware of the servants’ murmurs, their hidden whispers that sneaked through the corridors like wraiths. A shudder traveled through her as she considered the possibility. What if this very rumor pushed him further away?
She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling suddenly exposed under the vast Scottish sky, her mind churning with the fear of what lay ahead in these stone-clad halls of judgment.
Nora’s eyes softened as she observed Emma, her voice a gentle prodding. “Do ye have feelings for the beastly Laird, then?”
A hesitant breath left Emma before she could stop it, her gaze dropping away from the formidable castle to the safety of the earth beneath her feet. “I find that I do care about him… more than I ought to, perhaps. He’s not at all what the rumors painted him to be.”
Nora reached out, her hand resting reassuringly on Emma’s shoulder. “Then that’s all that matters. Pay no heed to the servants’ clatter. If it disturbs ye so, just tell Hunter about it. He’d silence their tongues with a single word.”
The thought brought Emma a measure of comfort, yet the seed of unrest lay deep. Inside, she felt like a stained-glass window. Resplendent in the sun, yet under the scrutiny of so many eyes, her colors betrayed her, making her secrets and vulnerabilities glaringly transparent to the world.
“Look there.” Nora’s gaze suddenly darted beyond the castle grounds, a flicker of purpose crossing her features.
Emma followed Nora’s pointed finger and scanned the edge of the forest, where the trees began to clasp hands with the wild heath.
“That’s the White Trillium I’ve been searchin’ for,” Nora said with a smile.
Emma raised her hand and shook her head. “I’ll fetch it,” she said as she studied the flower that stood alone with its three-petaled blossoms like a beacon against the green.
With determination, Emma set off towards the woods, her strides swift and silent.
As she reached to pluck the trillium, the tranquility of the moor shattered. A snap of twigs caused her ears to perk up.
Emma lifted her head and peered into the shadow. From the depths of the thick trees, a dark figure emerged as swift as the north wind. Before a cry could escape her lips, she was shrouded in darkness.
“Emma!”
Panic threaded Nora’s shout as it tore across the meadow, breaking the silence. Emma struggled fiercely, her efforts futile against the strength of her assailant. Her vision obscured, she could not discern the face of the person who had seized her, yet as she was hoisted and slung over the hindquarters of a horse like a mere sack of grain, the distant echo of Nora’s desperate scream pierced through the chaos.
Emma clung to the hope that the plea would find its way to Hunter before she was spirited away beyond the reach of rescue.
21
Hunter pushed his empty plate away from him and leaned back in his seat. Scanning the faces around him, he longed for only one person to be staring back at him. The fact that Emma wasn’t there irked him more than he should have allowed it to.
But it wasn’t like he could just drop all his plans for the day to spend time with her. He had a council meeting to attend, and the ledgers needed to be looked over. Not to mention the tenants’ rents were coming soon, and he’d have to get a party organized to go out and collect.
The morning agenda was full, but all Hunter wanted was Emma. Even if it were for a few moments, just seeing her would ease his troubled mind.
A muffled plea for help caused Hunter’s ears to perk up. Turning his head towards the window, he strained his eyes to find Nora rushing towards the castle. Her skirt was bundled in her hands, and drops of sweat beaded on her forehead.
Panic etched every wrinkle of her face, and her wide, wild eyes stole the warmth from his body.
