A Highlander's Heart: A Sexy Regency Romance (Highland Knights Book 1) by Jennifer Haymore Read Free Book Online Page B

possessed skills in healing, lass.”
    “No?” she asked teasingly. “I never told you about my erstwhile medical training?”
    Rob raised his brows. “Nay,” he said slowly, “you did not.”
    She grinned. “I used to sneak into the village dressed as a maid so I could watch the boxing matches in the square. One time, one of the men fell, his face bleeding, and I was so overcome, as he was my favorite, that I rushed to his side and reached him before the doctor did. The doctor allowed me to assist him and deemed me worthy enough that, from that day onward, every time I was in attendance and one of the boxers needed medical attention, I was allowed to help.”
    “And what did your da think of this?”
    “Oh, he didn’t know! He would have throttled me!” She laughed.
    Rob shook his head in bemusement. He’d known she’d been a defiant and adventurous lass, but he never seemed to be able to connect those audacious stories with the distinctly feminine, petite, and well-bred woman she’d become.
    Despite the almost unbelievable tales of her wild youth, Rob had never truly believed his wife was cut from the cloth of the army wife who’d doggedly follow her husband into the heat of battle. Claire was just too delicate. She was right when she’d said he thought she was made of glass. But for the first time, he wasn’t only hearing about her resilience and boldness, he was witnessing them in action.
    Claire leaned down to whisper into his ear, “Look at Grace.”
    He glanced over at Claire’s sister, who was with Mackenzie, as usual. Their heads were together, and they were talking animatedly in hushed tones. From the moment they’d left Waterloo, Grace had focused her attentions on Duncan Mackenzie and his injured arm. Mackenzie was the man she’d spent much of her time tending to after the battle. So infatuated was she with the sergeant that she probably didn’t realize she’d left the bulk of the work to Claire, who’d borne it without complaint. In fact, Claire seemed to relish her role in providing all of them with comfort and companionship.
    Claire also seemed to approve of her sister’s growing familiarity with Mackenzie, though Rob himself thought it was a dangerous game the two of them were playing. Mackenzie was a commoner and a Highlander. Grace’s father would never allow their family to be connected with someone of such low status.
    They arrived in London late and were transported directly to a town house in Westminster. The carriages finally stopped, and Rob helped his wife out, then drew her aside.
    When they were alone, he turned to her, bending close so he could speak softly. “I want to say good-bye to ye without the others near,” he said. “And I wanted to thank you for all you’ve done in the past few days.”
    Her jaw fell. “Good-bye? Why?”
    “You and Grace will be returning to your father now.”
    She squared her shoulders. “No. I must stay with my husband.
Grace
needs to return to my father.” Her lips twisted. “Though I’m sure she’d rather stay with Sergeant Mackenzie.”
    He sighed. “Claire, you canna stay here.”
    “Why not?” she challenged.
    And…he had no answer besides, “It’s probably not a good idea.”
    She laughed. “I think we’ve already established that my decisions of late have little to do with ‘good ideas.’” She leveled her gaze at him. “I am going with my heart, Rob. I want to stay with you. Don’t make me go. Please.”
    The way she was looking at him… God, who could refuse those big blue eyes? Her actions had already proven that no one could. And there was no doubt that sending her away now would deepen that rift between them.
    That was something he didn’t want to happen. Over the past few days, hope for the healing of his marriage had begun to bloom within him. Something was happening between him and Claire, some cautious rekindling of what they’d once had.
    The way she’d looked at him for the past two days, desire