Bride of Vengeance (Highland Romance Series Book 1) by Anna Pruitt Read Free Book Online Page A

her.”
    Teresa was braced for the rage. She was not expecting what she got instead. Nathanial closed his eyes and laughed, a deep, rolling, soul crushing sound that had Teresa praying for the poor child who caused it. God willing, she would get away for good this time. Teresa could not bear the thought of what might happen to Lydia if Nathanial caught up to her.
    ****
    Lydia had been extremely cautious all morning. Praise the gods her caution skills had not been tested, yet. She had not seen anyone until she reached a small village. Even then, all she saw was a young lad feeding horses.
    “Hello there,” Lydia was trying to remain calm as she approached. She tried to make her voice seem a little deeper than her own. The boy in front of her burst into hysterical laughter at once.
    “Yer a girl.” Was all he said, then he went back to feeding the horses.
    Lydia felt her face grow hot with embarrassment. She was going to have to take this at a different angle. “I’m in some trouble.” The boy’s eyes met hers. “I need a horse.” Surely he would help…
    ****
    “Laird Garrison’s squire?” The older man with the thickest brogue of Lydia’s life stared down at her. He was not buying it for a second. Lydia was committed to the lie, at this point, however.
    The little boy outside did not want to turn her away, he assured her. He just could not go against his father. If she wanted a horse, she was going to have to ask him.
    So, there she was…
    “Yes.” Lydia’s shoulder length hair was doing nothing to hide the fact that she was, indeed, a woman. Thank God for unflattering clothes, Lydia thought earlier in the day. Her boys disguise mixed with the large Garrison plaid had her looking figureless and frumpy. Both necessary functions if she was going to pull this off. Lydia would borrow a horse from this gentleman, whether he knew it or not. She would then be able to make it to Callum’s cottage in a matter of days.
    Lydia had the advantage here. No one in the Garrison clan knew where Callum lived, and no one in her family would dare make the journey to the Highlands to visit him. It was the most logical and safe place for her to be at the moment.
    “Laird Garrison ain’t got no squire.” The voice from behind Lydia shook her to the core. She turned and saw an ogre of a man, leaning down over her. God, these men were far too huge for her comfort. Lydia’s mind raced a thousand miles a minute, searching for a way to get out of there. Didn’t all Laird’s have squires? Was that an English luxury only? Lydia committed to this lie, she reminded herself. She would see it through.
    “I’m sure he’ll be happy to correct you on the matter, sir. Though, I’m certain he’ll be very unhappy to hear how difficult you’ve been.” Lydia’s voice was sure, strong. She moved her gaze from the ogre to the innkeeper again. He was smiling.
    “I’d better get it back, boy.” The old man finally agreed.
    Lydia sighed with relief and forced herself not to smile. She only nodded.
    Lydia was well on her way before the tavern owner turned to his brother, the ogre, who just so happened to be Angus Garrison, younger brother to the Laird. “Have Quinton get a message to Duncan. He’s staying near the village waiting for his Laird. Tell him where the Laird’s squire is heading. I’m sure Garrison will be more than interested.”
    Angus smiled, revealing his broken teeth. “Someone should follow her.” The tavern keeper, Chaim Garrison, shook his head.
    “She’ll not get off this land. Duncan will stop her before she gets away.” It was the most confident he had ever been.
    ****
    There are few people that have ever been as wrong as Chaim Garrison in that moment. Duncan was alerted to the situation only seconds before he was mounting his horse and heading after that hellion of a woman his Laird was determined to saddle himself with. Honest to God, Duncan couldn’t be surprised by anything she did at this point. He was