Banished by Tamara Gill Read Free Book Online Page A

she asked to change the subject. “I mean, I know you’re
the town laird but do you have a job or your own business?”
    “Being the Laird
of Durness is a job in itself. I suppose you could say I run the family
business.”
    Chloe frowned at
his amused tone. “Why do I get the feeling you’re laughing at me?”
    He shook his
head. “I’m not laughing at you.” He sighed. “What I do has been in the family
for generations.”
    “Are you an
archaeologist or historian?” Chloe waited for Cian to reply. He ran a hand
through his hair, his unease over her questioning obvious. “You don’t want to
tell me.” It wasn’t a question.
    “If I told, you
would probably run away. But I suppose historian would be a term fairly close
to the truth. I like to study and learn of the old ways of the Scottish people.
And of course I run the tours at the estate.”
    Chloe sat back
as her meal of roast beef was placed before her. The aroma of gravy and
vegetables assailed her. “This looks fantastic.”
    “Yes, they do
good meals here,” he said, smiling.
    Chloe watched
him cut into his steak. “You like your steak still mooing?”
    “Mooing.” He
frowned.
    Chloe laughed. “It’s
just something we used to say back home in Australia. If your steak still had
blood in it, it was obviously still alive and mooing.”
    Cian chuckled. “I
like it mooing then.”
    Chloe took a
bite of her roast. “So tell me what you like to study. History of your homeland
or the Scottish people. Or is it more academic, religion or culture?”
    “It’s all things
you’ve mentioned.” He smiled at her as he chewed. “What about you. Who are you Chloe?”
    Who was she? Chloe
sat back having never been asked such a question before. “I’m Chloe Smith an
Australian who only went as far as to finish high school before working in a
few bars. I saved until I had enough money to travel to England. I’ve been here
for a couple of years now, my parents having dual citizenship makes it possible
for me to live here. But now that I’m no longer engaged to Eddy I’ll probably return
home.”
    “To Australia.”
    Chloe smiled at Cian’s
alarmed tone. “Yes, obviously.”
    “Perhaps I’ll be
able to convince you to stay.”
    Chloe took a
calming breath as his words full of determination and promise made her lungs
seize. “I don’t think so.”
    “I do,” he said,
quietly.
    Chloe finished
her meal, not sure what she should say to that. Cian was attracted to her that
was obvious. But why? How could a man she only met two days ago want someone as
much as she felt he wanted her? It didn’t make sense. And he was so serious and
charming. How was she ever to walk away from such an attraction with her faculties
still functioning? A pain tore into her skull and Chloe rubbed her temple.
    “You’ve gone
very quiet.”
    “It’s been a
trying few days. I think I’ll probably head home. I hope you don’t mind,” she
said.
    “Not at all.”
    Cian pulled her
to stand and helped her with her coat. She met his gaze as his hands slid down
her arms eliciting shivers down her spine. The perfect gentleman, he escorted
her outside and helped her into his car some minutes later, the heated leather
seats cocooning her in warmth. Chloe looked toward the castle and watched the
lights around the battlements twinkle in the night. The ocean to her left was
reflected by the moonlight, making their drive home seem awfully romantic.
    “I never knew
anything could be as beautiful as my own country, but I do believe Scotland is
a magical place.”
    “Scotland
certainly has her secrets,” Cian said turning the car through her holiday
cottage front gates.
    The car travelled
slowly up the drive before pulling to a halt. “There’s no need for you to walk
me to my door.” Chloe unclasped her seat belt. “Thank you for dinner.”
    “Chloe wait.”
    She turned back
to Cian and gasped when he leaned over and kissed her. Hard. Fire ignited in
her blood when he deepened