“I’m takin’ ye to Fraser Keep,” he explained, approaching the area that had been sectioned off for the care of the horses. “I was goin’ to take ye there in the mornin’, but for yer own sake, we’ll be makin’ the short journey tonight.”
She wasn’t given a chance to continue her debate. A groom approached them, leading a handsome mare. When it dawned on her that they’d be riding together, she nearly protested that she knew how, but she caught herself. It was highly unlikely that an orphan would have learned. And if he didn’t know whoshe was, then there was going to benobody. Not a Laird’s inconvenient daughter nor a Lady meant to be a prize.
“And rope,” Darragh said to the other man. He turned toward Amelia as the groom walked away. “Ye’re under me protection now, and ye will remain under me protection until ye’re healed, whether ye agree to it or nae.”
Ach, but I’m nae a prisoner, and he’s nae the same as the others.
“What do ye need that for?” she asked when the groom returned.
“I’m nae allowin’ ye to injure yerself on the ride,” Darragh said, tucking the length of rope under his arm.
She squeaked when he grabbed her waist, beginning to hoist her toward the saddle. Her feet flailed, catching his thighs and shins. She slammed her fists against his arms, trying to free herself, the prospect of being tied for the length of the ride unacceptable.
“I can either bind ye now so that ye daenae have control of yer arms and legs, and therefore will have a much more unpleasant ride,” he grunted, his hold not loosening a single bit, “or ye can let me tie ye to the saddle after ye’re seated comfortably. It is yer choice. And ye need to make it now.”
After giving his shin one more firm kick with her heel, she went limp in his hold. Begrudgingly, she said, “If I must get on that horse, I’d prefer to be comfortably in the saddle.”
“Good,” he said, the praise sounding much kinder than his instructions just a moment before. “Now, daenae fight me while I get ye settled. Make both of our situations easier, aye?”
Amelia had no desire to make this easy for him, but her desire to be restrained as she had been in the tower was even less appealing, so she gave him a single, tense nod. Then, he adjusted his hold on her, depositing her directly on the saddle.
Once his hands left her waist, Amelia considered jumping from the horse. The steed was tall, though. She wasn’t sure if she’d land on her feet, and even if she did, there were more people around. She’d be caught quickly, and then she’d be restrained just as Darragh had threatened.
“This is goin’ to be a wee bit tight,” he said as he expertly tied her to the saddle. “I daenae want ye topplin’ off.”
She scoffed in lieu of a proper answer. The rope was tight against the top of her thighs, her mobility severely restricted. If she were to try to dismount now, she’d simply dangle from the animal.
“There,” he said under his breath, mostly to himself. Then, in a smooth, practiced motion, he joined her in the saddle. His chest was warm against her back, his strength just as evident even when he wasn’t restraining her. “We will arrive in half an hour. I will be ridin’ fast. Daenae squirm too much, lest ye knock yerself loose and sustain even more injuries. Do ye understand?”
“Aye,” she said through gritted teeth, her entire body stiffening at the feel of him directly behind her. He was inescapable, andit made her head spin. Compared to him, her form felt fragile, breakable.
That’s nae what I am. And I willnae let his proximity trick me into thinkin’ that I’m weak.
With a grunt, Darragh dug his heels into the horse’s side. The animal dutifully started forward, leaving the rescue camp behind easily. As they rode away, she vowed to herself that all of this was temporary. The second she could, she would escape him.
Chapter Four
Despite the late hour, Fraser Keep was bustling with activity. As Darragh led Amelia through the kitchen, cooks were working hard, prepping ingredients for the morning meal. When they stepped into the corridor, there were several maids gathered.
“Mrs. Rowan,” Darragh said, approaching the oldest woman in the throng of women, his hand still firmly around Amelia’s wrist. “I was hopin’ to find ye.”
“Ach, did ye bring me more work? I was hopin’ to get to bed,” she complained, though her tone wasn’t unkind.
It threw Amelia a bit. She’d been expecting pity or more of the overbearing, controlling behavior that the Laird had exhibited. Mrs. Rowan didn’t seem like the type to coddle or make unreasonable demands. Instead, she stared at Amelia with her hands on her hips, assessing the situation.
“She’ll need to be seen in me room, then,” the woman observed. “And we’ll need to get her a proper chamber. Looks as if she hasnae slept properly in months.”
“Ye’re right about that,” Darragh agreed, releasing her only when Mrs. Rowan looped her arm with Amelia’s.
“One of ye prepare a room for our guest,” the woman said as she began to walk down the hallway. “And another of ye fetch Hazel and have her meet me there.”
Darragh followed the two of them, acting as Amelia’s shadow. She felt his gaze prickling along her spine, but these walls, the clear hierarchy of this place, felt like a prison, and the thought of bolting fluttered through her mind again.
Ach, I shouldnae try to leave now. I should wait until the healer’s treated me. I’ll have a better chance at makin’ it out.
Her steps faltered as they approached a heavy wooden door. Doors like this opened for her, and she hated that it felt familiar. The memory shattered the second the room was revealed. This place wasn’t just a space for the healer to work but a place filled with practical comforts. Along with vials of tinctures on the walls, there was a generous pile of blankets next to the linens.
“Sit,” Mrs. Rowan instructed, lighting a few more candles and casting the room in a warm orange glow.
