She had barely left the room when one of the Robertson warriors fell into step beside her. She looked up at him with caution, recalling that he'd been one of the two lads sparring with Darach in the courtyard the day before. She searched her memory for his name, but everything had been a blur. Darach's bare chest and graceful movements were allshe remembered. She smiled at the man, thinking he was just greeting her, but he continued to walk silently behind her as she rounded the corner of the hall.
Before she could lift her dress hem and climb over a tall step, the warrior gallantly took her hand and assisted her over it. She stopped, and he nearly bumped into her, so close was he following behind. She whirled around and tilted her neck up to look him in the eyes.
“Why are ye following me?”
“Laird’s orders, my lady. ‘Tis unsafe for ye tae walk about the keep unescorted. I am charged with being yer guide so ye willnae get lost like ye did yesterday.”
She rolled her eyes and put her hand on her hip. “He fears me escaping, and ye’ve been put tae the task of making sure that doesnae happen.”
The young warrior stared at her without blinking.
“I have nae intention of leaving the keep. I am well informed of the dire consequences of such an action. I’m merely out for a walk and a bit of fresh air and maybe something tae help me pass time. There’s nae reason for ye tae leave yer other duties tae escort me.”
“My only duty is tae help ye ken yer surroundings,” he said solemnly.
She gave a disgruntled sigh. She should have known the laird’s men would be every bit as headstrong and stubborn as he was. Most likely, it was a requirement to be part of his warriors.
“Very well. By what name are ye called?”
“Wiley, my lady.”
“Tell me, Wiley, where might I find a bit of pastime in this keep?”
“The ladies do gather at the western side of the keep tae do some talking as they sew.”
“I am nae looking tae gossip, Wiley,” she said, looking around them. “I’d rather spend my time alone,” she said wryly.
“‘Tis the library ye need then,” he said gravely.
She stopped and whirled around, clamping her lips shut to prevent a shriek from escaping. “There’s a library in the keep?”
“This way,” Wiley said, his lips spread in what looked like a little smile. “I'm thinking ‘tis going tae surprise ye when ye see it,” he muttered.
She shook her head. She’d never have believed Darach Robertson was the kind of man to keep a library. It had probably been passed down to him and would be a dusty, dingy thing that was mostly ignored.
Jane gathered her shawl closer around her body and followed the guard. When they got to the entrance, Wiley bowed and pointed at the way in.
“I dinnae care much for books myself. I reckon ye’ll find much tae fill yer fancy in here.”
With a lift to her chin, Jane walked with stately elegance through the double curved wooden doors. A soft gasp escaped her lips as startling colors blinded her eyes.
The floor was so well-polished that it gleamed. The light streaming through stained windows glistened in the room, flitting across it in a rainbow of colors. Candles in circular candelabras burned overhead, brightening the room even more. Rows and rows of books on shelves in the clean, elegant dark reds, blues, and purples of their covers lined the walls.
This was no ordinary library. It was a sacred place to the person who had built it. She dashed toward the shelves and began removing books to check their titles. She finally found one after minutes of searching and flopped to the ground, determined to begin reading right away.
As Jane turned page after page, everything was quiet and peaceful. She was becoming so engrossed in the book that the rest of the world dissolved into the background. A small creaking noise came from behind her, and she turned toward it. She remained frozen in place, her breath held, as she stared at a small hairy head with eight spidery legs crawling towards her. Jane panicked,droppingthe book. She wanted to stand, but she fell and worried that the crawling creature had become entangled somewhere in her skirt or bodice.
She screeched, quickly pulling at her dress in a frantic move to find the spider, but couldn’t. She tore off her shawl and shoes, ripped free the top of her gown, and shook her hair out, but she froze in shock when a laugh echoed from across the room. She turned around in astonishment to see a man lying across the room, near the fireplace and hidden behind the shelves.
“I cannae promise ye’ll leave the castle with yer virtue if ye’re undressing around the common rooms of the keep, my lady.”
Darach Robertson is in the library with me! And God have mercy, I look a mess now!
Her eyes rounded in surprise, and her hands hung limply at her sides as she stared, stupefied by the man's smirking at her. When she realized he was staring at her undress, she turned around and sank her teeth into her bottom lip to stifle the squeak that threatened to escape.
“Please cover yer eyes,” she demanded.
She heard him drop his book as she fixed her appearance. “Can I look now? Are ye fully clothed yet?”