Page 76 of Wedded to the Heartless Highlander

“There’s nay one there,” he said, though there was a note of uncertainty in his voice. “Are ye sure?”

“I thought I saw…” Erica trailed off, her confidence wavering. The shadows looked undisturbed now, the gardens as still as ever. “Maybe it was nothin’.”

Hunter didn’t look convinced. “Stay close,” he said firmly. “Just in case.”

Erica nodded, and the earlier warmth was replaced by a lingering unease.

As they made their way back to the castle, she couldn’t shake the feeling that they weren’t alone. That someone, somewhere, had been watching them.

The walk back to the castle was quiet, but Hunter’s senses were anything but still. Erica’s earlier comment lingered in his mind, prickling at his nerves. She thought she’d seen someone watching them. Onhisland.

His arm was wrapped around her waist as they walked, her warmth against him grounding, though the tension humming in his body refused to subside.

He glanced down at her, noting the way her cheeks were still slightly flushed from their shared passion in the gardens. It wasn’t the way he had wished to claim her—she deserved better than a rough tumble against a tree. But she looked content, relaxed even.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling that something—or someone—had been out there.

Nay one trespasses on me land without consequences.

As the castle loomed closer, Erica tilted her head up to look at him. “Ye are quiet,” she noted softly, her hand slipping into his as they walked.

He gave her a small, reassuring smile but didn’t slow his pace. “Just thinkin’,” he replied gruffly, his thoughts swirling too fast to offer her more.

She furrowed her brow, but she didn’t press him. Instead, she leaned into him slightly, as though she could absorb some of his tension. “I’m sure it was nothin’,” she said. “Probably just a shadow or an animal.”

“Maybe,” he uttered, though his tone made it clear he didn’t believe that for a second.

A shadow doesnae set me teeth on edge like this.

They entered the castle, the warm glow of the torchlight in the corridor doing little to ease his restlessness. Erica’s hand remained in his as they made their way upstairs, her light footsteps contrasting with his loud ones.

“Do ye wish to stay with me tonight?”

His question seemed to catch her off guard, but she answered quickly. “Do ye wish for me to stay with ye tonight, then?” She raised a playful eyebrow, and he shook his head in response.

“Stay with me tonight, lass.”

“Bossy,” she quipped but let him lead her up the rest of the steps.

On the landing, Hunter stopped as he spotted a young boy carrying a basket of linens.

“Ach! Laddie,” he called, his voice firm and commanding. The boy froze, wide-eyed. “Find Calvin. Tell him to come to me chambers. Now.”

The boy nodded quickly, dropping his load to sprint down the hall without a word.

Erica tugged on Hunter’s hand gently, her green eyes full of concern. “Hunter, what are ye doin’?”

He turned to her, his expression softening slightly. “Dinnae fash, lass. I just need to make sure everythin’ is as it should be.”

Her lips pressed together into a thin line, but she nodded, allowing him to lead her the rest of the way to his chambers.

Once inside, Hunter moved with purpose, guiding her to a comfortable chair near the fireplace.

“Sit,” he instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument.

She arched an eyebrow but did as he asked.

He moved to the sideboard, pouring her a cup of steaming hot tea and placing it on the small table beside her. A plate of pastries quickly followed, though he noted the way her eyes followed him rather than the food.