Callum did not wait for Alex to arrange a meeting with Mari. Instead, he strode out of the castle and went straight to Nellie’s.
She met him with scolding. “You deserve what you get, Callum MacDonell. Mari isnae one of your soldiers. You cannae talk like that to her.”
“I know. I was wrong, and I’m sorry. But if you willnae tell me where she is, how can I tell her so?”
Nellie gave him an admonishing look, and then nodded her head toward the meadow. “She saw you coming and went for a walk. She doesnae want to see you.”
Callum took hold of Nellie’s shoulders and planted a kiss on her cheek. She tried to look stern, but it melted to worry as he turned and started to run.
Mari was picking wildflowers when she saw Callum coming. Gripping the flowers like a closely held shield, she watched h
