Page 46 of Bewitching her Highland Savior

CHAPTERTWENTY

Muriel lost track of time as the days passed slowly. She refused to leave her room for any reason – spending her days locked up there and asking to see Liam every chance she got but each of her requests went unanswered. Most of the food that was taken to her went back to the kitchen. She only nibbled on some potatoes and bread before her appetite left her; wondering how long this could go on.

She sat on the windowsill by her bed, legs folded against her chest as she gazed at the sea. The view had always been her favourite thing about the room, the one thing that never failed to cheer her but even that couldn’t lift her spirits now.

What was her father’s plan? Would he just keep her and Liam in the castle forever?

She didn’t even know where the entourage of men who had accompanied Macleod was, if they were staying there or if her father had sent them back to Lewis. Her father hadn’t come to see her. There had been no word regarding the future he’d planned for her.

That was the thing that bothered Muriel the most. She could have prepared for what her father was thinking if she had known what that was, but there was no preparation for the unknown.

The knock on her door startled her out of her thoughts and she jumped off the windowsill, smoothing her hands over her dress. When the door opened, one of the servants walked in with two guards behind her.

So, he’s asked for me.

“Aye, aye, I ken,” she said before the servant could speak. “Me faither wishes to see me. He’s in his study, I presume?”

“A-aye,” the servant said.

With a huff, she pushed her way between the guards. She didn’t need to be escorted to him like a prisoner.

Being out of her chambers for the first time in days felt good. Still, she wished she could avoid the servants' prying eyes and whispers as she walked by. It was strange to be the subject of their scrutiny. They had previously only gossiped about her stepmother and daughter, but now she was the one who was suddenly interesting.

Muriel didn't even bother knocking on her father's door, instead she stomped inside and slammed the door shut before the guards who had followed her there could enter. She stood by the door, her chin held high and her arms at her sides.

“What do ye want?” she asked when her father said nothing.

“Will ye nae take a seat?” he said instead of answering her question.

“I’m fine where I am,” Muriel said. “I dinnae wish to stay here long.”

“Then at least move from the door. We’re expectin’ someone else.”

Muriel frowned to herself as she stepped aside; her eyes scrutinizing her father. Had Laird Macleod come all the way to Barra to take her back to his home personally?

Muriel didn't have to ponder the question for long. The door swung open a few moments later, and a guard entered with her mother. Muriel could hardly swallow the sob that threatened to escape her, clamping one hand over her mouth as tears streamed down her cheeks when she saw her.

She couldn’t believe her own eyes. It had been so long since she had last seen her mother and now that she was standing right in front of her, everything else vanished from her mind. Muriel threw herself at her, and her mother wrapped her arms around her tightly, her own eyes welling up with tears.

She was just as Muriel remembered her — the same strawberry blonde hair as hers framing her blue eyes, her hands weathered and strong where they held her. It was like not a single day had passed since she had last been by her side and for the first time in the past few days, Muriel could smile again. Seeing her mother was the only good thing that she could cling to.

“Ach, wee yin, look at ye,” her mother said; taking a step back to look at her. “Ye’ve grown so much! How I’ve missed ye.”

“I’ve missed ye, too,” Muriel said; her lips stretching into a wide smile. “I’m so happy to be back home.”

“When did ye get here?” her mother asked but she didn’t give her a chance to respond before she continued. “Doesnae matter, all that matters is that ye’re here, and I’m nae ever lettin’ ye go again.”

As she spoke, her mother drew her into another hug, this time so tight that Muriel thought she heard her ribs creak. The sound of her father clearing his throat, on the other hand, brought Muriel back to reality, and she turned to face him with narrow, suspicious eyes.

Why did he bring her here?

If he were a better man, she would have thought that he had been kind enough to bring her mother to the keep so that she could lift Muriel’s spirits. But everything her father did had an ulterior motive and she had stopped trusting him ever since he had sold her to Macleod.

“Ye’re suspicious of me,” the laird told Muriel with a satisfied smile. “As ye should be. Ye’ve wised up.”

“Tell me why she’s here,” Muriel demanded.

Instead of responding, Laird McNeil stood and bowed to her mother, who did not acknowledge him. “It’s been a while, Ailis.”