He leaned forward as the boat tilted alarmingly, and she put out her hands to steady herself. Only then did she feel his arms taking hold of her, steadying her, and bringing their faces inches from one another.
“Are ye sure, lass?” he asked, his voice a low whisper in the night.
Magnus had never felt so out of control with want. He hated his body’s reaction to his new guest, but somehow, every part of him felt alive in a way it hadn’t for longer than he could remember.
He knew he should keep his distance from her. She was vulnerable and needed his protection, yet she was so defiant, so alive with fury and indignant rage, that he felt desperate to possess her. Such a wee thing, and yet she burned so bright.
“We are nearin’ the island, M’Laird,” the captain shouted.
The rain had almost abated, and the bright moon was shining overhead.
Magnus let go of Leah’s arms, pulling away from her and rising to walk to the head of the boat.
They slowly made their way into a small jetty that ran along the westernmost part of the island. The castle was surrounded by trees and pathways that snaked up the hillside into the dark, and he let his eye follow their familiar lines, feeling his gut settle at the sight.
It had been a long time since he had been away from his castle at night, and he was enjoying seeing it in a new light again. He loved this place like it was his own skin. A small part of him felt excited to show Leah his home, but he knew he could not allow himself to enjoy her company too much.
Two weeks was all he would have, which was already more than enough. No woman should be around him for longer than that—he had made a vow long ago that he would keep his distance from the fairer sex, and he would keep that promise.
Just as he had predicted, some merry lights were blazing in the folly at the brow of the hill by the castle walls. Betty always insisted on a welcoming light to guide the boats home, despite the ferrymen knowing their way perfectly well in any weather.
Magnus glanced back at Leah, whose pale face was upturned toward the castle, taking it in. Her soft features were relaxed and calm, as though this were exactly where she wished to be.
He could not imagine what had driven her from her home, but he would do everything he could to make her feel welcome in his.
“Come, lass,” he said, extending a hand as they pulled up to the quay. “I’ll take ye inside.”
She rose, lifting her skirts, which he now realized were soaked with rain as she made her way over to him. She neither took his hand nor required it; she stepped up onto the quay as smoothly as a lady who had lived at sea all her life.
“Thank you, My Laird.” Her tone was playful. “I think this castle will do very well as a setting for my book.”
CHAPTER 6
“Ah,good, ye brought her at last.”
Leah looked up at the unexpected voice as she ascended the last few steps from the boat. She glanced back at MacWatt with a burst of uncertainty.
“There is no Lady MacWatt?” she asked, feeling guilt blooming in her chest that she had not even considered that possibility before.
As she asked the question, the Laird’s countenance darkened considerably, and he shook his head.
“Nay. There is only me,” he replied, placing a gentle hand on her back and guiding her through the stone archway and into the main keep.
As she entered, she was amazed to see dozens of torches blazing from all sides. Despite the late hour, the place was lit from every angle. It was welcoming and surprising all at once.
The voice she had heard belonged to the strangest woman she had ever laid eyes on. She was slightly stooped and walked with a cane. Her long grey hair was loose and fell about her face in soft waves. She looked older than Leah’s mother, perhaps closer to sixty, but it wasn’t easy to tell.
Flowers were woven through her hair, culminating in a halo of petals on the top of her head. Her eyes were sharp and assessing, and her clothes were light and loose, fluttering about her like a butterfly’s wings.
As she approached, Leah saw that her cane was made from a slim piece of chestnut wood, beautifully carved into a twisted design. At the tip, a small white orb sat inside a wooden cage laced all around it. It looked more like a staff than a cane.
“I trust yer journey wasnae too unpleasant?” the lady crooned, smiling up at her as though she were a long-lost relative.
Leah turned to MacWatt in consternation. “They were expecting me?” she asked, confused. “How?”
Before he could answer, the woman patted her hand reassuringly. “This big brute didnae believe me, but I kenned ye would come.”
Leah shook her head, staring at her in bewilderment. “Do you know me?” she asked.
