Page 44 of Wedded to the Devilish Highlander
One sister disappointed to save me braither. It has to be done.
They strolled in silence for a few more minutes. Eileen bit her lip as they walked. She wanted to keep the conversation going, to share in Ivy’s happiness and welcoming nature, but she felt deflated.
Then, she saw him.
She caught his figure out of the corner of her eye, walking parallel to them, matching their speed. Something told her that he’d been there for a while and she’d only just noticed.
She looked straight ahead as she walked. “There’s a man to our left,” she told Ivy. “Dinnae look.”
Ivy did as she was told, much to her credit. Then, she stopped and turned fully to face the man.
“Calum Morton!” she scolded. “What are ye doin’ out here? Ye werenae followin’ two defenseless lasses, were ye?”
Something about her tone was hopeful in the way Eileen had been when Archer used to follow her.
“And why would I do that?” Calum asked as he stepped between the hedgerows.
Ivy straightened and turned her torso to the side slightly as if presenting her silhouette to him.
Eileen found some humor in the situation, despite her current woes.
Calum walked toward them, his steps predatory. He had the natural intensity of a man-at-arms, but he’d taken that intensity, planted it, watered it, and grown it fivefold. He was a man who would strike down another if it meant protecting the castle, and he had a furious rage about him, ready to explode at the first sign of danger. That night in the tavern, he’d also been the drunkest man she’d ever met.
Then, there was Ivy, a naive, giggling woman, more reminiscent of a young girl, putting herself on show for him.
Eileen looked at Calum.
Come on, ye must see what I see! Ye do ken she likes ye, do ye nae?
She didn’t want to dash Ivy’s hopes, but she had to. “He’s followin’ me,” she muttered.
“What?” Ivy asked, turning to her.
“The Laird sent ye, did he nae?” Eileen called.
As the words tumbled out of her mouth, she felt something surge in her chest. Archer hadn’t come to see her in two days, but he was still watching her. He still meant to protect her.
Calum didn’t hesitate. “Aye, the Laird ordered me to keep an eye on ye, and I suppose where ye walk among the flowers is more important than readyin’ the castle for war.”
Am I more important than the threats from Laird O’Gunn?
Eileen arched an eyebrow. “Ye can tell the Laird that I’m nae plannin’ to escape.”
Calum frowned. “Escape?”
Eileen winced inwardly.
Does he ken about the plan?
She forced a small, embarrassed laugh. “Aye, ‘cause some women get cold feet afore their weddings, do they nae? I suppose the Laird wanted to make sure I wasnae one of them, ‘cause he… likes me so much.”
Calum tilted his head, clearly not buying it, but he was too polite to argue. “Aye, that sounds about right.”
“When will ye be wed, Calum?” Ivy asked innocently.
“Let’s worry about yer braither first, and then I can worry about meself,” Calum replied.
“Aye, and if there’s anythin’ I can do to help, ye only need ask.”
