“Aye,” he replied.
The deer picked her head up again, but Darragh’s attention was solely on Amelia. Her gaze darted down to his lips. There was fire in his eyes when she met them once more. For a beat, she felt herself moving forward.
Then, the deer left, a branch snapping below its hoof, and the spell was broken.
“I should let ye get back to organizin’ the linens,” Darragh said, though he still didn’t step away. “I wouldnae want someone else to pick up the task and disrupt yer system.”
“Aye,” she agreed, lingering in his space for another moment.
Reluctantly, she took a step back. Her eyes flitted over his features one last time. Memorizing, deciding.
Without saying another word, Darragh turned away and walked back to the castle. Amelia stared at his retreating back and wondered again if leaving was the right choice. She was terrified of what may come, what kind of hell her father would usher in, but she was even more unwilling to leave the first place she had felt truly comfortable since she was a wee lass.
She wrapped her arms around herself, turning her gaze back to the space where the doe had once stood. By all accounts, the animal was free to go wherever she pleased, yet she chose to stay here rather than running. Amelia wondered if there was a message there. Or perhaps she was overthinking things.
If he hadnae opened up to me, I wouldnae be so torn.
* * *
“I want increased perimeter guards startin’ tonight,” Darragh said, pulling Ewan to the side. His man-at-arms had been standing in an alcove, chatting with a maid, but he still had the gall to behave as if Darragh had interrupted something important. “I daenae want to take any chances in the time leadin’ up to the fox hunt.”
Ewan crossed his arms, his brow furrowed as he resisted contradicting Darragh. “Me Laird, I ken that ye’ve had yer attention pulled in many different directions, but do ye nae think that increasin’ our patrols further is a waste of resources?”
Darragh stood taller, narrowing his eyes. Regardless of how wasteful Ewan thought the order was, there were some things that Darragh wasn’t willing to risk. Amelia was one of them.
And I cannae tell if she’s goin’ to try to run or if I’m goin’ to have to keep Laird Mackenzie from takin’ her.
“I believe it’s necessary, Ewan,” Darragh said, his tone final. “With the approachin’ hunt, I hardly think that increasin’ guards is foolish. Unless ye have reason that I shouldnae?”
“Nay, nay,” Ewan replied, seeming to understand that Darragh would not be budging nor humoring any further arguments. “Me apologies, Me Laird. I will get to arrangin’ that immediately.”
“Good,” Darragh said, waiting for Ewan to get out of his sight.
Ewan stayed in front of him, a skeptical eye roaming Darragh’s face. He sighed, saying, “Ye daenae have to lie to me about why ye want the guards increased. We will keep Amelia safe. We’re all aware that she’s yer top priority at the moment.”
Without giving Darragh an opportunity to respond, Ewan stepped out of the alcove and made his way to the courtyard. Watching his man-at-arms carry out the order, Darragh scoffed to himself. He bristled at someone else pointing out where he directed his attention, but he knew there was nothing he could say in defense of himself.
I do want to put all me resources into keepin’ her safe. The longer the investigation into Laird Mackenzie takes, the more dire his intentions seem. I’m certain now that he had somethin’ to do with her endin’ up in that tower.
Giving the corridor a final, surveying gaze, Darragh went back to his study. Even as concern for Amelia’s well-being threatened to override his control, he still had a hunt to prepare for. And now,the safety of the guests was even more important than in years prior. He wouldn’t allowanythingto happen under his watch.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Amelia took her leave from the great hall, feeling less sure of her decision to leave with each moment she stayed. Even though Darragh had been absent from the meal, she had still eaten surrounded by people who had come to be constants in her life.
Am I really willin’ to risk me safety for the keep? For Darragh?
She sighed, realizing that if she went straight to her quarters, she would only pace a hole into her floor. And as amusing as it might be to have Isla chastise her once more, it wouldn’t be good for her mind. A few hours in the library would be a better use of her time.
It’s been a long while since I allowed meself to get lost in a story.
When she entered the library, she came to an abrupt halt. Sitting in an armchair near the fire was Darragh. A book was spread in his lap, and his back and shoulders were straight.
It was the way he held himself when he worked. His attention was sharp enough to cut. Something in her chest ached quietly at the sight. Placing her hand over her heart, she rubbed it as though it were a physical pain that could be rubbed away.
Dropping her arm and clearing her throat, Amelia put a challenging smile on her lips. “Ye promised to show me more of yer drawin’s,” she said, resting her palms on her hips.
Darragh looked up immediately, his eyes readjusting with a predator’s quickness. His surprise was evident, his brows raised, his mouth carefully neutral. Notably, though, he wasn’t displeased.
