Page 30 of Reviving Her Highland Spirit

“Aye, go on. Look, I’ll be right here. I won’t let ye sink.”

“How will ye be able tae stop me?”

“I might not be able tae lift ye on dry land, but in the water is another matter. Go on, Callum. Trust me.”

Callum wanted to get out of the water, back on dry land, where he could see what was going on around him, and cold, breathless silence didn’t await him just below the surface.

But he didn’t want to disappoint Maggie.

Feeling queasy, Callum closed his eyes and let himself sink backwards, just like he’d seen Maggie do. He felt cold water on the back of his head, but before he could panic, there was a hand at the back of his neck, steadying him.

Maggie.

“Take your feet off the bottom,” she said, her voice distant through the water in his ears. “Don’t worry, I’ve got ye.”

Her other hand pressed against the small of his back. Holding his breath, Callum did as she said, lifting his feet off the ground and letting them drift out in front of him.

He expected the water to close over his head at any minute.

It didn’t.

Maggie’s hands pressed against his neck and back, almost carrying him in the water. Callum sucked in a deep breath.

He was doing it. He was floating. He opened his eyes, seeing the pale blue sky far above him. The silhouette of a bird darted across his field of vision, and cool water lapped at his cheeks.

Then Callum was reminded of the emptiness underneath him. Any sort of fishy creature could be swimming underneath, needle-sharp teeth ready for a bite, and he would never know it. He scrambled in the water, splashing everywhere and kicking wildly until his feet touched the bottom and he stood upright, the water splashing and surging around his waist.

Maggie got to her feet too, wiping water out of her eyes where he’d splashed her. She was grinning.

“Well done, Callum,” she said softly. “Ye did very well. Ye were very brave.”

Callum gave a breathy, shocked laugh, smile spreading over his face.

“I floated,” he said, and a matching smile spread over Maggie’s face.

“Aye, ye did.”

For a few breathless heartbeats, Callum realised that they were close enough to touch, close enough for him to feel Maggie’s warm breath fanning across his chest. He watched rivulets of water make their way out of her hair and down her face. Her thin, translucent white vest stuck to her skin, and he knew that his shirt might as well be see-through.

Maggie’s gaze skittered across his chest and shoulders, just for a moment, before shifting back to his face, the faintest red blush creeping across her cheeks.

Her gaze landed on his lips for an instant, so quickly that Callum thought he might have imagined it.

Was Lady Maggie McAlister thinking of kissing him?

McAlister.

The name sent a cold flush through Callum’s body, and his stomach twisted queasily.

McAlister. Their enemy. Rufus’ enemy. His enemy. That was what Maggie was, an enemy. That was all she had to remain.

Rufus had long since taught Callum how to look at enemies. It was no good trying to reason with them, to see individuals and personalities. That would drag you down. Not every single one of your enemy’s family would be a danger to you personally, but all of them were dangerous to your cause. Even just one could bring your downfall.

Scorch the nest, and don’t look too closely to see who’s at home.

Callum knew that the happy smile had faded off his face, and Maggie had noticed. A faint line appeared between her brows.

“Callum?” she said, her voice soft. “Is everything alright?”