He pushed it open and entered, waiting for her to follow behind, anxious for her reaction.
Leah entered the circular room and stared about her in amazement. It was part of the tallest tower in the castle, and within it was a room that had once been used by his mother.
As soon as Magnus had met Leah, he had thought of this place for her, but the idea had only solidified in his mind when she had started speaking of her books.
He always needed solitude when he was planning a battle or reading something complex, and it felt as though somewhere high up with beautiful views and away from the bustle of servants would be perfect for her.
The crow’s nest, as it had been affectionately termed by his mother, was a cylindrical tower on the far wall looking out over the water. The castle that Leah would occupy in a few weeks’ time was visible in the distance on the edge of the water, and she walked to the window, looking out at the view in wonder.
The room itself was simply furnished with wooden chairs and a desk by the window, but Magnus had had it supplied with many stacks of papers for her writing.
The chimney had been cleaned so that she could light a fire and be warm, and he had brought woolen blankets up for her to use, knowing how cold she had been since she arrived. He watched with satisfaction as she flitted about the room, looking out every window.
“It is perfect!” she gushed, walking to the center and spinning in place. “Is that my castle?” she asked, pointing out the far window, where the little turrets could be seen.
“Aye,” Magnus replied. “I thought ye and Miss Katie might like to go and visit it today if ye are willin’.”
“I’d love to,” she said, rushing to the window and putting her hands on the sill, leaning out and looking down at the sheer drop without a trace of fear. “Is there an equivalent room in that castle like this one?”
“I am sure one can be prepared.”
She turned, cocking her head as she looked at him. “And what if I wish to return here to do my writing?” she asked, a coy expression on her face that made Magnus want to pin her against the window and take her.
He had a sudden vivid image of her sitting on the windowsill, her legs spread and wrapped around his waist as he thrust into her, bracing his body against the stone surround and claiming her body in front of his lands, looking out over everything he owned as she screamed his name.
He cleared his throat. “Ye ken ye can come here whenever ye please,” he said without thinking through the answer.
“Can I?” she asked, sounding uncertain.
“Aye, if ye ever wish to write, ye can always come here to enjoy the views. This is yer room. I shall nae need it.”
Her playful expression dropped, and she seemed to lose some of her enthusiasm.
She looked about the room, suddenly a little sad, and gave him a watery smile.
“Thank ye,” she murmured, walking to the desk and sitting down as though to test the view. “It is beautiful here. Who used this room? Was it Elizabeth?” she asked.
There was a touch of discomfort in her voice, and Magnus suppressed a smile.
“Nay. Elizabeth wasnae a creative woman. But I was told that me maither was. She used to write a great many letters. She was from England, too, and had a great many friends in theton.She would sit up here for hours, writin’ to them all. It drove me faither to distraction…”
At the mention of his father, Magnus stopped speaking and stepped aside, suddenly wishing to be gone from the place.
He never liked thinking of his mother’s carefree spirit beside his father. It made him believe that history was repeating itself, just as Gibson had said. He had been forced to marry Leah, and now she was trapped, just as his mother had been, her light forever tied to the darkness in his past.
“Are you quite well?” Leah asked. “You look angry.”
“I am just fine, lass, but we should go back downstairs. It is cold in this room without the fires lit. Let me ken when ye will use it, and I’ll ensure that the way is lit for ye and the fire is burnin’.”
He opened the door wide for her, and she went to the top step of the staircase, the smell of wildflowers trailing behind and tickling his nostrils.
His arm came out automatically as he grabbed her upper arm, and she turned to him in surprise.
“Nay kiss?” he asked.
She frowned at him, pulling her arm free, the same fiery anger on her face. “If you want a kiss, My Laird, you should not have set such strict rules about us staying apart.”
She turned on her heel and made her way down the stairs, leaving Magnus holding the door, watching her retreating frame with a wave of regret.
