Highland Champion by Hannah Howell Read Free Book Online

was a troubled mon. She was told so by those of our clan who can sense such things, but she married him anyway. Keira can be stubborn. I ken I may worry o’er her too much. She is one of my favorite cousins, and these last few months have been verra trying for her. Aye, and she faces more trials in the months ahead. She is strong, but mayhap, too tenderhearted and nay verra worldly.”
    “Did she love her husband weel then?”
    “I think she would have if they had been given more time, or at least, cared for him weel and been a good wife to him. She chose him because she was o’er twenty and had ne’er been much moved by any mon. She craved a family of her own, ye ken. Sadly, they were wed but three months, and he left behind no child.”
    “How did he die?”
    “Murdered by Rauf Moubray, who also did her some harm. She managed to escape, but swore to her husband ere he died that she would help the people of Ardgleann, would wrest the land from Rauf’s thieving hands.”
    “The mon set a heavy burden upon her wee shoulders by making her promise such a thing. How could he expect this fey lass to do that? I have heard of Rauf Moubray—dark tales of brutality.”
    “And probably all true. As for how she can fulfill her vow to her poor, ill-fated husband? I dinnae ken, and neither does she, especially as she is loathe to drag her familyinto this trouble.” Brother Matthew lightly touched Keira’s thick hair. “At such times, I can almost regret my calling for I am nay a warrior, I have few fighting skills to lend her, and yet I would like to be her champion.”
    “Then I will be,” said Liam and tried not to be insulted by Brother Matthew’s obvious look of surprise.
    “Ye have a broken leg, Liam.”
    “’Twill heal. She willnae be rushing off to save Ardgleann on the morrow, will she?”
    “Weel, nay, but—”
    “I owe the lass my life. The least I can do is try my best to make sure she doesnae get herself killed trying to fulfill the vow her husband pulled from her.” He winked at Brother Matthew. “Aye, and I rather like the idea of being a champion. Mayhap, in years to come, someone will compose a song about me.” He chuckled along with his friend.
    “’Twill make me rest more easily kenning that a strong mon stands by her in the battle ahead.”
    “Then ’tis settled.”
    “Aye, between us. Ye may find that wee lass isnae so quick to agree. As I said, she can be stubborn.”
    “So can I, my friend. So can I.”

CHAPTER 4
    An odd scraping and thumping noise came from just beyond the cottage door. Liam looked across the table at Keira and smiled. She was concentrating very hard on the chessboard set between them, plotting a move that would probably defeat him yet again. He wanted to drag her across the table and kiss those lips she was gently worrying with her teeth. What few scraps of resistance he still clung to after a month of being with her day and night were rapidly shredding. His growing feelings for her refused to be cowed.
    “I believe Kester has just stumbled by for a visit,” he said, grinning when she gave him a stern frown, for the silent scold was belied by the laughter in her beautiful eyes.
    Keira stood up, moved one of the finely carved chessmen, and said, “Checkmate.”
    As she walked to the door, she grinned when she heard Liam softly curse. He had not beaten her yet, but he was good enough to present a real challenge. She doubted he would be pleased if she told him so. It might also sound very vain, she thought as she opened the door to find Kester brushing the dirt from his robes.
    Kester smiled at her, and she smiled back. He was going to be a big, handsome man when he finally grew into those feet he kept tripping over. She also had the strongest feeling that Kester did not really want to become a monk, that he would do his best but would never be really happy. That bothered her, but as yet, she had no ideas of what, if anything, she could do about it. If nothing else,