“Because a strong lass is still nay match for me,” he whispered. “And if I decided I wanted ye for meself, who would be able to stop me?”
Even in her dream, her feet couldn’t hold up her weight once Leo had her in his grip.
“Nay one’s tryin' to stop ye,” she rasped, her breath quickening.
“Aye, and ye couldnae if ye wanted to.”
He leaned in, but before their mouths could meet, a child’s shout ricocheted up the walls of the courtyard, breaking through the window into Beatrice's chambers. She blinked into the midday sun, disoriented and confused as she had been every time she woke up recently.
What are these dreams? I am nae used to waking up so disoriented.
There was so little happening in the castle, so few people walking its halls aside from the guards, whom she saw more and more often.
Thank heavens for Effie and Violet. If they werenae here, I think I might have lost me mind.
But she hadn’t seen either of them that day, so she set out to find them. She checked the courtyard and found it empty, despite having heard a child’s shout in there only minutes ago. The garden was similarly desolate, and on her way back inside, she stuck her head into the kitchen to see if Morag or the other cook was elbow deep in oatcakes.
Nay one in here either. It’s a bit odd.
But she could smell something roasting in the oven and was comforted by this sign of life.
There weren’t many other places to look for Effie. The abandoned watchtower was her next stop, although Effie never went there alone. She had once told Beatrice that being there without someone else scared her.
“It’s haunted, ye see,”the girl had said in a matter-of-fact tone.“If I go with another person, the ghosts daenae bother me.”
Makes about as much sense as anythin' else. And why should it nae be haunted? This whole place feels haunted sometimes.
As Beatrice rounded the corner, she spotted the door to the library. A deep male voice pointedly beckoned her inside, even though he was not speaking to her.
The flutter in her stomach kicked up as she drew closer and heard Leo speaking in direct, clear terms to Tyler. Neither of them noticed her opening the door. They were so deep in conversation that she got closer to them than she had expected to, still unseen.
“These are bold plans, me Laird,” Tyler said, tapping a finger on a map spread out in front of them. “Are ye sure the council will approve?”
“Those dobbers daenae ken what’s good for them. I think they will approve, though.”
I shouldnae be hearin’ this.
Beatrice pivoted on the balls of her feet to make a swift exit, but she stumbled slightly and knocked into a stack of books piled near the edge of a shelf. One of them hit the floor with an echoing thud, and she flinched as both men fell quiet behind her.
“Beatrice.”
She peered over her shoulder to find Leo rushing towards her, his face contorted in anger-tinged relief.
“Good to see ye on yer feet, mistress,” Tyler said. “I heard ye put up a spectacular fight.”
Leo grabbed her by the arm and exhaled in a growl. “Aye, she did.”
“I only wanted to come by and tell ye that I was all right.”
“Do ye feel up for a ride through the woodlands?” he asked. “I think it’s time we had a talk.”
“I should get cleaned up, Leo.” She plucked at her nightgown. “I just woke up and should probably bathe.”
“Ye’re fine,” he answered. “Get dressed, and I’ll take ye to the stables.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
At the stables, Beatrice was struck by how gentle Leo was with the horses. When he hoisted her onto the back of a fine bay mare, his grip was firm but not rough.
