Her hands trembled, and she quickly pressed them together in front of her, trying to calm herself. She needed to focus on the danger that was now at their doorstep, not the emotions she couldn’t seem to control.
“Lass,” a man nodded to her in passing as he herded a goat toward a pen in the courtyard.
Annabeth forced a smile to tug the corners of her mouth as she nodded back with a silent greeting. As she looked around, she saw the courtyard was bustling with activity, and a few people looked her direction. She knew she was a stranger after all, and they must be curious.
She stepped away from the door and moved around the walls to a more private nook in the wall to find some calm.
Do nae let this distract ye from the reason ye are here. Ye are to be a healer to the Laird’s father. A service as one of his subjects. Ye are here to see that yer maither is cared for, and ye are here to tend to the Laird’s wound, nae any of his other needs.
But even as she tried to remind herself of the bigger picture, her mind kept returning to Marcus. She could still feel the warmth of his hands on her skin, still hear his voice, rough with emotion, as he spoke to her. The kiss lingered in her thoughts, impossible to shake. He was a laird, and she was nothing. She had no right to let herself feel this way. And yet, the more she tried to push it all aside, the more she couldn’t ignore the connection that had sparked between them.
Her lips still felt the warmth of his kiss, and her body was alive with a thousand emotions she couldn’t begin to sort through. She opened her mouth to say something, anything, but no words came out, her throat suddenly dry and tight.
What did this mean? Did it change everything between us, or was it simply a moment of weakness for him?
CHAPTER TEN
“It was a silly kiss and nothing more. So why do I think of it so often?” Annabeth paced the small room, muttering to herself about foolish men and even more foolish feelings.
She sat by the window, her gaze fixed on the sprawling hills outside, but her mind was elsewhere. Every time she closed her eyes, she could feel the weight of Marcus’ lips on hers and the intensity of his grip as he had pulled her close. It unsettled her, the way it made her heart race and her breath catch, though she would never admit it.
A knock on the door startled her, and Annabeth’s hand flew to her chest as her heart leapt.
Is it he?
She opened the door to find a young servant girl standing there, a bright smile on her face. “Good mornin’, mistress,” the girl said cheerfully, dipping her head in greeting. “I’m Elena, servant toLady Elizabeth. I’ve come to fetch ye. She’s askin’ for ye to join her in her chamber.”
Annabeth blinked, momentarily caught off guard, before nodding mutely and stepping aside to let the girl in. Elena had a friendly air about her, and Annabeth felt an instant sense of ease in her presence. The girl couldn’t have been much older than her, with sandy blonde hair that framed her face and striking blue eyes full of warmth. Her slender figure and plain, well-worn dress marked her as someone who, like Annabeth, wasn’t born into wealth or privilege.
That realization comforted Annabeth, who had spent the last day feeling out of place within the grandeur of the castle.
“Thank ye for comin’ to fetch me,” Annabeth said quietly, smoothing her skirts nervously. “I’m nae exactly sure what Lady Elizabeth could want with me.”
“She’ll tell ye herself, nay doubt,” Elena replied with a knowing smile. “But there’s nay need to fret. The Lady can be stern, aye, but she’s fair, and she’s kind to those who deserve it.”
Annabeth nodded though her stomach churned with unease. What could Marcus’ mother possibly want from her? She followed Elena down the winding stone corridors, the soft shuffle of their footsteps echoing in the quiet. The grandeur of the castle seemed even more overwhelming as they passed torches and woven tapestries with the clan crest, red with a proud stag.
When they reached a grand door at the end of the corridor, Elena stopped and turned to her with a reassuring smile.
“Here we are. Just take a deep breath, aye? She doesnae bite,” Elena teased, giving Annabeth a playful nudge. Annabeth tried to smile back, but her nerves made it difficult. She smoothed her skirts once more, her fingers trembling slightly, and nodded for Elena to proceed. The servant knocked lightly on the door before pushing it open, stepping inside with a confident stride.
“Lady Elizabeth, Mistress Annabeth is here to see ye,” Elena announced warmly.
Annabeth hesitated on the threshold, her heart pounding as she caught sight of the imposing woman seated by the fireplace. Lady Elizabeth was elegant and regal, her posture straight and her gaze sharp though there was a softness around her eyes that hinted at a kinder side. Her hair was swept up neatly, streaked with silver that only added to her commanding presence. Annabeth felt like a child standing before her, but she forced herself to step inside, offering a nervous curtsy.
“Come in, lass,” Lady Elizabeth said, her voice steady and calm. “I’ve been wantin’ to speak with ye.”
Annabeth swallowed hard and straightened, clasping her hands tightly in front of her. “Aye, Me Lady,” she managed to reply, her voice barely above a whisper.
She felt Elena’s reassuring presence behind her, but it did little to calm her nerves.
What could the Lady want with me? Whatever it is, I pray I willnae make a fool of meself in front of Marcus’ maither.
Lady Elizabeth gestured for Annabeth to take a seat near the fire, her sharp yet kind eyes studying the young woman.
“Ye must be Annabeth,” she said, her tone steady but warm. “I am Lady Elizabeth, Marcus’ maither and wife of his faither, Laird Leon. I’ve been wantin’ to meet the lass who saved me son’s life. Both me husband and I owe ye a debt of gratitude for what ye’ve done.”
Annabeth clasped her hands tightly in her lap, her heart racing as she nodded. “Thank ye, Me Lady,” she replied softly, her voice trembling with nerves. “But there’s nay need for thanks. I was only doin’ me duty as a healer. Anyone would’ve done the same in me place. It was me honor to see to his healing and to serve Me Laird and the clan.”
