Ryder shook his head almost angrily. “If what ye are implyin’ is true, then it is the worst thing that could have happened to her. I can only pray that she comes to her senses and wakes up from whatever madness she has fallen into.”
Ewan caught Ryder’s eye and held it, watching him intently.
“Ye hope it justgoes away, eh?” he asked thoughtfully. “Well, can it justgo awayfor ye, then?”
Ryder felt his cheeks redden. He turned away so that Ewan could not see, although he suspected that it was too late. His friend had always known him too well for comfort.
“I daenae ken what ye are talkin’ about,” he answered briskly. “Ewan, I’ve been told that Hamish and Alaina have snuck off into a hallway.”
“Oh, dear.”
“Aye, indeed. I’m off to break it up and set some new ground rules. I’ll bring Megan with me—Alaina listens to her. I need ye to stay here and watch for trouble, aye?”
“Aye, me Laird.”
Ewan’s warmth and sincerity vanished, and in their place was a stern, focused soldier. That was good. Ryder needed his captain of the guard now, not a friend.
A friend would advise him to go to Megan and talk to her. He didn’t need to hear that. It didn’t matter how good the advice was. The plain fact was that he and Megan were better off apart. She couldn’t wait to leave. And if she felt otherwise—which would surprise him—then she would do well to take hold of her feelings and wrestle them into submission, just like he intended to do.
Ewan gave a sharp nod and strode away, disappearing into the crowd. Ryder watched him go, letting out a long, ragged breath.
Then he plunged into the crowd himself, shouldering through the guests. He kept his eyes open, looking for Megan. It didn’t take long to find her, not with her mane of red hair and her glorious gown. And those flowers! Over the past hour, a few of the numerous flowers had fallen out of her braid, leaving a small trail of crushed flowers behind her, half-hidden in the rushes.
There she was. She glanced up just as he spotted her, and their eyes met. Heat rushed through Ryder’s chest, but he forced himself to ignore it. He offered a quick smile as he approached.
“Enjoyin’ the party, me sweet bride?” he inquired with a half-smile.
She cleared her throat. “Aye, that I am, me… me handsome husband.”
His eyes darkened at that possessive word.Husband. Glancing away, Megan hastily corrected herself.
“Almost-husband, I mean. There’s been nay dancing yet, although the music is good.”
“I’m glad ye are enjoyin’ it. Was I right about the dress? Are all the men staring at ye as if they want to eat ye up?”
“If ye think I will admit that ye were right about that,” she burst out, reddening. “then ye are mad. Why did ye find me?”
“Well, Alaina has snuck off with her guardsman.”
“What?” Megan exclaimed, frowning. “I didnae see her go. I should have watched her more closely.”
“Have ye seen any signs of danger?”
“Nay, nothin’.”
“Well, me sister can hardly be caught cavortin’ with a guardsman at her age,” Ryder huffed. “We had best find her. The northeast corridor is where she’s gone, I’ve been told.”
“We should split up and search,” Megan suggested. “I’ll go this way, ye go that. We’ll meet in the middle. Flora can remain here and watch Sophie.”
“Aye, that’s a good plan. Oh, and Megan?”
She paused, just about to scurry off in the opposite direction. She glanced back at him, eyes bright, eyebrows raised, and he felt a traitorous flicker of affection. He wanted to gather her up in his arms and hold her tight. It wouldn’t be a shocking thing to do, not with her being his betrothed.
He kept his hands firmly at his sides.
“Be discreet,” he said at last. “We cannae afford a scandal.”
Her eyebrows shot up further. “Discreet? Me? It hurts that ye think I could be otherwise, me beloved betrothed,” she paused, giving a wry smile. “It’s as if ye daenae ken me at all.”
