Page 52 of Taken By the Ruthless Highlander

“Tomorrow?” she asked.

She watched as he rose from his chair, pushed it to the table, and smoothed the wrinkles from his vest.

There was an air of finality about him, as if he were about to walk off into the sunset, never to be seen again.

“Maybe,” he answered.

And that was when it dawned on Morgana that he was leaving. Panic shot through her as she jumped up and made a beeline for the door.

“Ye ken, tomorrow wouldnae be a good idea, after all,” she said as the sound of Eloise’s giggle drifted to her ears.

A pang of regret twisted in her chest as she turned back to face her husband.

“And why the sudden change of mind? And dinnae tell me somethin’ has come up,” he challenged.

Morgana gave a bashful shrug. “I forgot about the picnic I promised Eloise. I havenae been spendin’ very much time with her, and she’s been cravin’ attention.”

“Is that so?” Ryder pursed his lips.

Morgana gave another shrug.

Ryder shook his head and sidestepped around her. “Well then, who am I to stop ye from havin’ fun with yer family? Ye should spend some time with the young ones. They are the most impressionable, after all.”

Confusion rippled through her as he reached for the knob and was out the door before she could protest further.

Morgana hurried out, chasing after him.

“Ye’re leavin’?” she asked, the longing clinging to her words like honey oozing off the comb. “Nae that I mind. The dining room is nay place to get better acquainted, after all.”

“Morgana.” Ryder paused in the hallway, his fingers curling around her shoulders as he stared into her eyes.

Her heart went wild. Was he about to pick her up, toss her over his shoulder, and carry her to his chambers?

The thought made her body tremble with desire and yearning.

“Aye?” she answered breathlessly.

“Believe it or nae, I too have things to do,” Ryder answered, before releasing her. Her chest tightened as she watched him walk down the hallway, his footsteps echoing off the gray stone walls. “And nay, I’m nae goin’ to tell ye what. Best to turn in early tonight.”

“Have I said somethin’ that offended ye?” Morgana pressed, but her voice was too small to carry across the distance between them.

She turned back to the dining room. The servants had already cleared away the dishes, and with nothing else to do, she walked away, letting her heart guide her path.

She chewed on her lower lip as she rounded the corner and started up the stairs. She moved slowly, dragging her feet as her mind drifted to Ryder. Where was he going so late?

She glanced out the window to her left. The moon’s silvery light had barely cut through the navy blue sky. Twilight had barely kissed the land, yet there was no reason she could see that could draw her husband out of the castle.

Pushing through the door to her chambers, Morgana wrapped her arms around herself to hold in the warmth. But not even an extra log on the fire could chase the chill away. Frustrated, she moved to her bed and plopped down. She glared daggers at the door as she tried to hold back her tears.

She could not comprehend why she was feeling so flustered. It was not as if Ryder had made any promises to her. Their dinners were supposed to be for show, so why was she letting his absence affect her so?

She pulled a pillow to her chest as she pondered the yearning in her heart. A wave of rejection crashed over her, pulling her down into the abyss of loneliness. She let out a heavy sigh as she crawled over to the headboard.

They had a deal. A simple one. But why did it feel so forced?

It wasn’t like she could turn off the jealousy wreaking havoc on her. Was he seeing someone else? Is that why he didn’t want her company?

She pulled the blanket up to her chin and closed her eyes. Only the sweet darkness behind her eyes made the turbulent waters of her mind stop.