A Fire Within (These Highland Hills, Book 3) by Kathleen Morgan Read Free Book Online Page A

For those who didn't continually
wonder if the next man they met might discover their shameful
secret, their open warrant of instant death anytime, anywhere,
and all within the legal bounds of the law.

    But such thoughts were pointless and only clouded the mind
to the task at hand, Dar reminded himself as he headed down the
corridor leading to the stairs. He must remain clear-headed and
single-minded. Athe depended on him, and Clan MacNaghten
depended on Athe to lead them. It didn't matter what Dar's feelings were about the disgraceful events that had led to his clan's
proscription. It didn't matter that the truly guilty were either
already dead or imprisoned.
    All that mattered was that he do everything in his power to
see the innocent survive. And, for any hope of that happening,
Clan MacNaghten needed their chief. A chief who was totally
unworthy of them and their trust, but a chief who they had
nonetheless confirmed upon the death of their old one. Athe,
whether Dar thought it wise or not, was now the rightful heir
and chief of Clan MacNaghten.

    Dar didn't realize how ravenous he was until he finished serving
Kenneth and finally sat down and began his own meal. Indeed,
both men had all but finished their supper by the time Anne
Campbell appeared with an armful of blankets. Immediately,
Dar laid aside his plate and mug and hurried over to her.
    "Thank ye for these," he said as he reached for the blankets.
"Between our overfull bellies and these warm coverings, we'll
sleep like the dead this night."
    "It's the verra least we can do for ye." Anne smiled, her gaze
moving to where Kenneth lay. "This must be yet friend then."
    "Och, aye." Dar laughed. "Pray, forgive my poor manners."
He turned to glance at his friend. "Lady, this is Kenneth Bu chanan, my friend and a verra accomplished bard and harper.
Kenneth, this is the Lady Anne Campbell, wife of the Campbell
clan chief."

    The younger man set his tray of food on the hard-packed dirt
floor and made a move to swing his propped-up foot off the
pillows. With an upraised hand, Anne halted him and hurried
to his side.
    "Nay, don't trouble yerself over me," she said as she bent and
offered him her hand. "I see Caitlin has wisely instructed ye to
keep yer foot elevated, and that's indeed for the best."
    Kenneth grinned. "That she has, Lady, and did a most excellent job treating my foot as well. Thanks to her, I'm certain I'm
on the mend."
    "Then I hope ye won't be too disappointed to be seeing me
from now on for the care of yer foot?"
    Dar laid the blankets on his bed, then moved to stand beside
her. "It's an honor, and no mistake, to have the lady of the castle
waiting on us. Isn't it, Kenneth?"
    A puzzled expression on his face, the bard slowly nodded as
his glance moved first to Dar and then back to Anne. "Aye, it
is indeed. Not that I wouldn't gladly accept Caitlin's aid if ye're
ever too busy to assist me."
    "I'm never too busy to assist a guest." She looked to Dar. "If
there's naught else ye'll be needing, it's time I join the others for
supper.
    Preoccupied with his troubled thoughts, Dar didn't immediately realize she was talking to him. "Ah ... nay, there's naught
we're now lacking, Lady," he finally said, before striding to the
door and opening it for her. "Pray, allow me to escort ye back."
    "It isn't necessary. I well know my way about Kilchurn."
    "Then, if ye will, permit me to walk with ye a bit. I've something I'd like to discuss with ye."
    She shrugged. "As ye wish."

    They set out and, almost as soon as they were beyond earshot
of Kenneth, Dar halted. "Is it my fault that Caitlin can't return
to care for Kenneth's foot?"
    "Aye, to some extent." Kilchurn's lady steadily met his gaze.
"Caitlin's young and not always the best judge of men. And
Campbell hospitality only extends so far, especially when it concerns the welfare of my sister-in-law."
    Momentarily, Dar was struck speechless. "Y-yer sister-in-law?"
he managed