Page 45 of Taken By the Savage Highlander

Cameron said nothing, listening as Lachlan reported to him. Cameron could barely focus on the words that came out of Lachlan’s mouth; his mind drifted back to Margo, back to the way her body felt against his on the cliffs, the softness of her mouth, her hips, her hair.

It’s like she’s hauntin’ me.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

“Mrs. Campbell says that ye cannae stay in yer chambers all day,” Tilly said, tutting when she saw that Margo had perched herself in the window seat with a new embroidery project. “Ye’ve been restin’ all mornin’, and ye took yer lunch in yer room.”

“I was just thinking about going for a walk,” Margo said, pushing herself to her feet and putting her fabric on the low table next to her bed. “I was worried that another storm would come in. I felt a chill in the air this morning, and I did not want to get caught in the rain.”

It was a half-truth. The coolness on the wind had kept her inside, but after she’d settled in her chambers, she’d realized just how badly she needed the time alone. Eleanor had taken the kittens to her own quarters, and Margo was able to be still for what felt like the first time since her mother died.

“She’s actually planned a ladies’ gatherin’ in the Solar,” Tilly said, already marching over to Margo’s trunk. As she pulled out one of Margo’s new dresses, Tilly continued, “She said that everyone needed a bit of fun as a reward. It’s been a while since we’ve nae had any emergency repairs that needed to be taken care of.”

“I suppose that it may be nice to socialize,” Margo admitted, turning around when Tilly twirled her finger.

“Miss Eleanor was quite pleased to hear about it,” Tilly said with a bit of a laugh. Her hands worked quickly, her touch sure yet gentle as she worked Margo out of her casual gown. “She’s in the Solar helpin’ Mrs. Campbell. The ladies from the Clan will be arrivin’ soon.”

“I’m sure that Eleanor was pleased to be allowed to help,” Margo said, feeling herself getting excited about the gathering. She’d enjoyed the trip she’d taken to the village. It felt like a treat to be welcomed into the group. “Mrs. Campbell wasn’t bothered by it, was she?”

“Nay, I think she was quite pleased to have an assistant,” Tilly replied. Carefully, she guided Margo’s arms into the sleeves of her maroon dress. “She’s quite a helpful lass, isnae she?”

“She is,” Margo said. Her chest grew warm with a gentle pride at hearing her sister praised. “Even when she was little, she always wanted to be of service.”

“That’s a pure and noble spirit,” Tilly said with a touch of reverence. She turned Margo around after she finished fastening the gown. As Tilly carefully arranged her hair, she murmured, “Most people spend their whole lives tryin’ to be of some use to their people. It seems she was born just kennin’ how to do it.”

The observation stole Margo’s ability to speak, so she simply nodded. Though she didn’t raise her sister the same way a mother might have, she’d looked out for Eleanor’s well-being and taught her everything she could. It was overwhelming to hear that someone else thought Eleanor was just as remarkable as Margo did.

“Come, let’s nae keep the ladies waitin’,” Tilly said, taking a step back.

Margo nodded, swallowing around the lump of emotion in her throat. As they walked through the castle, she shifted her focus to the dregs of excitement that were still hanging on. It was a cautious thing, but she chose to be optimistic.

When she stepped into the Solar, Mrs. Campbell and Eleanor were arranging a spread of smoked fish and bread. The smell of tea permeated the air, reeling Margo toward the center of the room. Settled in a semi-circle of armchairs and settees were three women that Margo vaguely recalled seeing around the castle. And, standing in the corner, looking as if he’d rather be anywhere but here, was Gavin.

“I thought this was a ladies’ evening,” Margo said teasingly, tilting her head when the man met her gaze.

“I dinnae have much of a choice. Yer sister informed me that ye’d be playin’ charades and that ye would need someone to make the teams even,” he grumbled, though Margo could tell that he wasn’t terribly upset.

“With that attitude, I do hope that we are not unfortunate enough to be put on the same team,” she replied as she settled onto a vacant settee. A few seconds later, Eleanor came to join her. “Are you sure that there was no one else available?”

“All of the servants seemed busy,” Eleanor said with a shrug. “It didn’t look as if he was doing anything. Mrs. Campbell said that he could do with a bit of socialization.”

The three women laughed, and Gavin stiffened in place. When they recovered, the woman closest to Margo leaned over and said, “It is a pleasure to meet ye and yer sister, Lady MacLeod. I am Annelise.”

“It is nice to make your acquaintance," Margo said politely. “I believe I’ve seen you in the courtyard, but I did not want to disturb your walk.”

“I am always glad to be interrupted,” Annelise laughed. She gestured to the woman next to her. She was just a few years younger than Margo and Annelise. “This is Cecilia.” Then, she gestured to the woman who was a bit older. “And that is Charlotte.”

“It is a pleasure to meet all of you,” Margo said, shifting slightly now that she had everyone’s eyes on her.

“Likewise, me Lady,” Charlotte said. Then, her eyes flashed with a bit of mischief. “Are ye any good at charades?”

“I may not be the best,” Margo said slowly, “but I do believe that I’m better than the average player.”

“Then I’d like ye on me team,” Charlotte said with a decisive nod. “I have already recruited Eleanor.”

“Then it seems that ye and I are on a team with Gavin,” Annelise said to Cecilia. She looked over her shoulder at where Gavin was still standing with his arms crossed. “I expect ye to do yer best.”

“I willnae lose,” he replied with the confidence of a warrior.