Page 27 of Taken By the Ruthless Highlander

“Ouch, that’s nae fair. I wasnae ready,” Eloise complained and grabbed a pillow to toss at her.

“I thought we had an archery contest to get to,” Morgana teased as she was pummeled with the pillow relentlessly.

“I’ll stop, but ye promise to get up? Ye cannae go back to sleep,”,” Eloise warned as she stepped away from her, pillow still in hand.

“I’ll get up, give me a moment… or seven.”

“I’m waitin’ for ye right out there,” Eloise said with a mischievous smirk.

“Ye’re the one holdin’ me up now.”

* * *

“The hour is late,” Orella noted, looking up at the sky.

Morgana smiled as she watched Poppy and Eloise chase the fireflies, both girls skipping over the basil and thyme. Her heart swelled at the peacefulness of the moment.

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so calm. Yet, as the last light of the day lingered in the mid-twilight hours, a heaviness settled in her chest.

“Are ye all right?” Orella asked, reaching for her.

“Aye,” Morgana replied. She shifted her gaze to the dark windows of the castle. “And ye?”

“Och, just grand, thank ye,” Orella said in a prim tone that irked her. “Come on, ye dinnae have to wear the mask out here. Nay one else wanders into this part of the garden.”

“And why is that?” Morgana asked, looking around the familiar courtyard that still echoed with the merriment from her wedding.

“They say it’s haunted,” Orella whispered.

“That is the silliest thing I’ve ever heard, and I’ll nae entertain the thought a minute longer,” Morgana scoffed, rising to her feet. “Poppy, Eloise, dinner should be ready. Let us get ye cleaned up.”

“Will ye be eatin’ with us?” Eloise asked as she slipped her little hand into Morgana’s and batted her long lashes at her. “Ye havenae done it in so long, and I missed havin’ ye at my side.”

Morgana stared at her sisters for a moment, their eyes brimming with a longing that she couldn’t ignore. She bit her lower lip as she considered her options. Although she had an agreement with the Laird, he didn’t seem to care about it. So why should she?

“Very well,” she relented.

Eloise jumped into her arms with a squeal.

Orella smiled as Morgana carried her sister around the corner to the side door of the castle.

The moment she turned the corner, Morgana stopped. Standing in her path was a middle-aged maid, with cheeks white as sheets.

“Lady McKenzie? Laird McKenzie requests yer presence in the dining hall,” the maid announced, her voice wavering at the end.

Morgana glanced over at Orella, who gave her an‘I told you so’look.

“We’d better get goin’ then,” Orella urged.

Morgana shook her head. “Tell the Laird that I willnae be dinin’ with him tonight,” she said, glancing at Eloise and Poppy. “I have a prior engagement.”

8

“Och, for the love of all that is holy,” Ryder huffed as he glared at the steam rising from the roast chicken.

His mouth watered, and his stomach growled with hunger. He tapped his heels on the floor, his irritation growing with each passing moment.

“What is takin’ her so long? Am I to eat cold food?”