Ryder nodded. “Aye. He’s dead now. He was still the lassies’ uncle, and a man I once admired very much indeed. We’ll treat him with respect, and he’ll have a good burial. He’s paid for his sins now.”
Ewan inclined his head. “Aye, me Laird. I’ll see it done.”
Ryder nodded and set off at a brisk pace, clutching Megan in his arms.
“I… I could walk,” she offered tentatively.
“I’m sure ye could. But I can also carry you, and we’ll get there faster that way.”
She shifted, tightening her grip. He kept his eyes on the path ahead—it would be too embarrassing if he tripped at this point—but he could feel her eyes on him, lingering on his face.
“Thank ye,” she said at last, all in a rush. “For savin’ me.”
“Ye saved yerself, lass.”
She snorted. “That I did. Wait, where are we goin’? This isnae the way to the healer’s chambers.”
They reached the bottom of the stairs that led up to the East Tower. Ryder grinned down at her.
“We are nae goin’ to the healer’s chambers, lass. We are goin’ to mine.”
CHAPTER 26
Megan woundher arms around Ryder’s shoulders a little tighter, resting her forehead against his chest. She had thought, briefly, about insisting that he put her on her feet. Word would go around the Keep that Ryder had been seen carrying her off in such a fashion. Of course, since they all thought the betrothal was real, the guests would only exchange smiles and look the other way.
Ryder climbed the stairs easily, not weighed down at all by having her in his arms. His arms were strong and even, and Megan realized that she wasn’t afraid of him dropping her, not even a little bit.
A flutter of desire sparked in her stomach. It was hardly the right time for that, considering that Alaina and Hamish were probably still running around the Keep, terrified, convinced that Logan was pursuing them.
Ryder stopped on the landing to his room, transferring her weight entirely to one arm so that he could fish the key out of his pocket. Then, they were inside, the cool darkness of his room washing over them. Ryder shut the door with his heel, marched over to the bed, and carefully deposited Megan on it.
“Sit still for a moment,” he murmured, with something so soft in his eyes that Megan had to look away. “I’ll get a fire goin’ and light some candles. There’s wine around here somewhere, too.”
She curled up on the bed, watching him bustle around the room. His plaid had come loose, and he dropped it from where it hung around his shoulder to loop around his waist. He crouched down, taking very few minutes to get a fire started. He lit a single candle from the flame and set it on the mantelpiece. Then he pounced on a jug of wine and a single goblet, pausing only to snatch up a small box from inside a trunk.
“Pour yerself some wine,” he said, handing her the goblet and jug. “I’ll clean the blood from yer throat and see if it needs stitches. I daenae think it will, but it’ll nae hurt to check.”
Megan nodded, swallowing. He dampened a rag in the washbasin and gently trailed it over her throat. The water was cold, sparking goosebumps on her skin. There was no pain when the rag was dabbed over the cut, but Megan shivered anyway.
“It might scar after all,” he observed, frowning.
“That does nae matter,” Megan managed. He knelt on the bed beside her, so close that she could feel the heat coming off hisbody. “All that matters is that Alaina is safe, and the danger is over. But, Ryder, how… how are ye?”
He barely glanced up from his work. Once her throat was clear of blood, he sprinkled a few drops of something sharp-smelling on a piece of wool, dabbing the stinging mixture over the cut.
“Me? I am well. Why?”
“Well, it was a shock. Logan being behind it all…” She trailed off, shaking her head.
Ryder swallowed thickly. He glanced up at her again, more intently this time. His eyes seemed to fix her to the spot, sending a jolt of desire through her.
I want him again. How can it be that I want him after all of this?
“I daenae want to talk about it now,” Ryder said levelly. “Later. But nae now.”
She nodded slowly. “I understand.”
“Are ye hurt anywhere else? This cut willnae need stitches. We’ll watch it to make sure an infection doesnae set in, but it should heal well.”
