Page 23 of Bewitching her Highland Savior

CHAPTERELEVEN

The McAlpine castle wasn’t quite as grand and lushly decorated as her father’s keep but Muriel found more beauty in it than anywhere else. Where her father cared about riches — and more importantly, showing off his riches so that everyone knew he was a wealthy man — Ron cared about having enough space and food for everyone in the clan and a beautiful place that everyone could enjoy. Outside, the courtyard was filled with flower gardens. Trees lined the walls and the paths wound through thick grass. Even in the dim light of the evening, Muriel could see that everything had begun to bloom, and she couldn't wait to see the place in late spring.

Only I willnae be here to see it.

Would Lewis be as beautiful? Or would she manage to make it back to Barra instead, as she so badly wanted to?

Just as they made their way inside the castle, another strange voice pulled her back to reality.

“Liam! Ye’re back!”

The voice came from a young man, probably younger than Muriel, with brown hair and big, hazel eyes that seemed to smile along with his lips. He bore a striking resemblance to Liam, which betrayed their relationship, but Muriel reasoned that if she hadn't been looking for it, she would have missed it.

The young man threw himself at Liam with such force that Muriel gasped; taking a few steps back to save herself from getting caught in it. Liam groaned but he hardly moved from where he stood even when the young man slammed into him.

“Ian… a proper greetin’ wouldnae hurt, ye ken,” Liam said with a chuckle; a hand coming up to ruffle Ian’s hair as he stepped back and looked at him. “Did ye get taller? I was only gone for a few weeks!”

Ian shoved Liam’s hand away playfully and under the soft light of the torches, Muriel could have sworn that Ian blushed. “Ye think so?”

“Och, aye,” Liam said and as he did, Muriel caught Ian’s eye and his skin turned an even brighter shade of red.

“Ah! Me lady, I didnae see ye!” Ian said; giving her a bow so deep that even Muriel found it comical. She hid her smile behind her hand and returned his bow, though she didn't quite go as low as he did. “Forgive me. I am Ian Russell.”

“Me cousin,” Liam added.

“Muriel MacNeil,” Muriel said.

“Aye, Ron told us all about ye,” Ian said. “Weel… not all, I’m sure but he told us why—”

“Aye, aye, why dinnae we let Miss MacNeil rest?” Liam asked; slapping a hand on each of Ian’s shoulders. “We’ve had a long journey.”

“Actually, I’d verra much like to meet everyone first,” Muriel said.

“Nae, ye dinnae,” Liam insisted. “There’s too many of them, and ye havenae been sleepin’. I’m surprised ye’re still standin’ straight.”

Muriel was just as surprised as Liam was but she thought it would be terribly rude of her to rest before proper introductions had been made. She had little choice, though, when Liam all but dragged her up the stairs and into a room after she had barely managed to bid Ian good night.

Once in the room, Muriel saw that her belongings were already there and that everything had been prepared for her. The bed in the middle was large, much larger than what she was used to at school, and the room was furnished with dark, heavy wood and plush carpets. A part of her had missed that luxury that she had had when she stayed at her father’s keep but another part of her couldn’t care less about it. She had missed the sand and the sea much more than any material goods.

“Ye can rest without any concern noo,” Liam told her. He hovered by the door; seeming reluctant to go any further into the room even as Muriel perched herself on the edge of the bed. “There’s nae safer place for ye to be.”

“Thank ye, Liam,” Muriel said. It didn’t seem enough to just thank him like that but she couldn’t think of anything that she could give him in return. “I mean it. For everythin’.”

Liam acknowledged her gratitude with a simple nod before quickly changing the subject. “On the morrow, I’ll make sure ye meet everyone else. And we can start trainin’ ye. We’ll have some time before we leave for Lewis because we need to prepare the men.”

Muriel didn't tell him that the longer he took, the better for her. She didn't want to get into another pointless argument. Instead, she nodded and lay back down on the bed after they said their goodnights.

For the first time in a while, she had a moment to breathe. She didn’t have to worry about assassins, and her marriage to Macleod seemed far away — a vague threat that didn’t seem real yet. And now that she could finally relax; exhaustion caught up to her quickly. She barely managed to undress and slip under the covers before her eyes closed; plunging her into a deep, cosy darkness.

When she opened her eyes once more – it was because someone was throwing back the curtains in her room, letting the sunlight in. It seemed bright out and Muriel blinked a few times, her eyes trying to adjust to the sudden intrusion of the sun.

“Good mornin’, miss,” a young woman said. She had a round face that made her look even younger than she probably was and eyes as bright and clear as the sky outside. “Ye slept for long! I was told to wake ye; I hope ye dinnae mind. It’s noon already.”

Muriel almost jumped out of bed, her eyes wide as she searched the chest by the bed for a dress. She hadn't just slept for very long. She'd slept for far too long, so long that she was concerned she'd make a poor first impression on the laird and lady of the clan.

“Let me help ye,” the woman said; rushing to her to assist her with the dress. Muriel was grateful for it. The faster she managed to dress, the sooner she could be a good guest.

“What’s yer name?” she asked the woman.