Page 59 of The Ruthless Laird's Virgin
“Thank ye!” Eleanor set off at a run once again, heading directly toward the stables.
Lord, please let them still be there.
She said a silent prayer as she burst through the front doors and ran toward the stables, not caring if anyone saw her. She almost tripped several times before finally reaching the doors. “Callum!” she called out, feeling a stitch in her side as she bent over double.
“What in the devil’s name has happened?” Callum came rushing toward her, gripping her upper arms as he pulled her up straight and reached for her face. “Are ye hurt?” His dark eyes were filled with concern.
Shaking her head, Eleanor took a moment to catch her breath. “Are… are we alone?” She glanced over his shoulder, feeling her heart wanting to burst from her chest.
Letting go of her upper arms, Callum looked around the empty stables with nobody else other than the horses. “Aye, we are, but come with me.” He reached out and took her hand, leading her toward the back of the stables, where several bales of hay had been piled to the ceiling.
All of the awkwardness that had been between them seemed to have disappeared as he let go of her hands and gripped her shoulders again, gently running his palms up and down her arms. “We are alone now. Tell me what has happened.”
Eleanor took control of her breathing and began to whisper. “I was in the study when a man I daenae ken came lookin’ for me.”
Callum’s hands suddenly stilled as he stared at her.
“He didnae hurt me, but he said there was somethin’ he needed to tell ye.” Her breathing began to ease as she felt safer in his presence.
“Did he mention his name?” His hands began to move up and down again as he took another step toward her, creating an even closer connection as he lowered his voice.
She shook her head again. “Nay, but I do think he might be a member of yer council. He said that something foul was movin’through the castle, and that ye needed to ken the truth before it was too late. He didnae mention Donald Stewart by name, but he did say that the land agent possessed documents that could seize the Fraser lands even from ye.”
Every muscle in his face stiffened as Callum clenched his jaw. “I see. Did the man say why it was that he couldnae tell me himself?”
“Nay, but he looked scared. He kept lookin’ over his shoulder as if he were afraid that someone would hear him.” She took a deep breath and searched his face, feeling her pulse quicken.
“Aye, it certainly sounds like someone from me council.” He let go of her arms, taking a step back as he allowed the cool air to fill the void between them.
Eleanor suddenly felt empty, but she pushed the notion aside and followed him from the hidden section behind the bales of hay.
“Iain, are ye here?” he called at the top of his lungs.
Coming at a run, Iain suddenly appeared at the other end of the stables, breathless and sweaty from whatever it was that he had been doing. “Aye, me Laird?”
Callum strode toward him, briefly explaining what had happened before barking his orders. “Gather every man, woman, and child in this clan. I wish to see them first thing in themornin’. Nobody is to leave or enter without one of the men bein’ aware of their presence.”
Iain stood up a little straighter, his rigorous training taking over. “Aye, me Laird, I shall gather the men at once.” He turned on his heel and headed back in the direction he had come.
Swearing under his breath, Callum turned back toward Eleanor. He opened his mouth as if he were about to say something more, but his words died in mid-air when a young lad came running into the stables.
“Me Laird! Ye must come at once!” The lad’s face had drained of all color as he stumbled into the stables.
“What is it now?” Callum snapped as he growled in the boy’s direction.
“There… there is a fire, me Laird. The lands along the borders are burnin’. They have nae yet reached the cattle, but they will soon.” He doubled over from his efforts, almost passing out.
“Shite!” Callum swore out loud this time, dismissing the boy with a wave of his hand. “I must go at once. The men will need to help me put out the fire.
Eleanor’s heart leaped into her chest as she reached out and gripped his arm, pulling him back to her with surprising force. “Callum, wait,” she breathed.
He turned toward her, closing the distance between them as he cupped her chin in his hand and lifted her face toward his. “I shall nae let them harm ye,” he spoke softly as if he were consoling a child.
“It is nae that. I just wanted to say that ye should be careful. Whoever did this isnae a fool, and he doesnae require loyalty. All he needs is access; this fire might give him just that.” She searched his face as she recognized the glimmer of trust in his eyes.
“Aye, ye ken now why I was tellin’ ye to keep yer head on yer shoulders. It would have been easy for someone to get to ye…” His eyes locked on hers, drawing them closer together.
“I am nae pawn, Callum. Ye can trust me…” Her eyes dipped toward his lips, yearning for the kiss that had once seared her to her core.
