Highland Deception (Highland Pride) by Lori Ann Bailey Read Free Book Online Page B

his senses over a woman. For Christ’s sake, he was bothered that his men were just looking at her.
    After clearing his throat loudly, he said, “Time to be on our way,” his words clipped. The men gathered around her quickly dispersed, although Alan grinned and gave Lachlan a defiant smile. The bastard knew he desired her. Of course, after his outburst they would all know, while he hadn’t yet had time to analyze the strange emotions swirling in his head. He did, however, understand the ones that caused his shaft to tighten and ache.
    “Alan,” he called. Once his friend strode up, he pulled him over to the side and muttered, “Keep an eye on her.”
    His friend’s brow rose. “Ye want her.”
    Lachlan caught the man’s arm as he turned to go. “Dinnae let anyone touch her.” Alan just winked and gave him a mischievous, lopsided grin. They had been friends far too long, and Alan knew him better than he knew himself—Lachlan was staking a claim on her whether he’d intended to or no’. It was the last thing he needed, but he couldn’t stand back and watch his men become infatuated with her. Clan Cameron was in a precarious position, and he couldn’t afford any wagging tongues loosened by lust. Aye, that was the reason for his agitation.
    “Finlay, Gillies, come.” He grabbed a satchel and tramped into the woods without looking to see if they followed, because none would question their laird. “Double back and find where she came from. She doesnae belong here with us. Either she is a spy, or her clan will be looking for her. We need to know the truth.”
    The men nodded, and Lachlan continued, “Start with the Macnabs, then the MacLarens, and branch out from there. She was on Macnab land when we found her. She’s well educated. Someone will ken who she is.” He didn’t have to remind them how bonny she was.
    “They all support the Royalists, so we have nothing to fear from her.” Finlay’s relieved tone gave Lachlan the impression his cousin had already developed a fondness for the wench. “Should we tell their chiefs of the letter?”
    “Nae, ’twould be best coming from me, along with an invitation to Kentillie. I will arrange a meeting to discuss how we should proceed. Argyll’s support to weaken King Charles’s reign is strengthening—Conall is a prime example of the traitorous bastards—and I fear the earl’s drive to push his beliefs on the rest of our country is growing. Our best chance at squashing their efforts will require caution.”
    “Do ye think the Macnabs and MacLarens can be trusted?” Gillies asked.
    “Aye, but best ye dinnae tell anyone Maggie is with us, not until we ken she isnae a threat.”
    “I dinnae see her as a danger. She saved yer brother,” Finlay continued to defend the lass.
    “Aye, but she could also be a Covenanter spy. Mayhap Conall’s spy. She came out of nowhere when Nathair showed up.” The swirling doubt in his own mind was echoed by Gillies’s words.
    “Do ye think Conall will send more men?” Finlay asked.
    “Aye, he will be looking for Robbie, along with his letter. Did ye see the menace in his eyes when the boy identified him?”
    “Aye, ’tis the only safe place for him, being with the Camerons. At least until Conall’s dead or rotting in prison,” Gillies said.
    “He’ll have noticed by now Nathair is missing.” Finlay said.
    “That is why I want both of ye to go. There is safety in numbers. Be careful where ye ask questions. Ye never know who is listening.” Lachlan paced as he gave his instructions.
    “What if our activities are questioned?” Finlay asked.
    “Take this.” Lachlan tossed a bag to him. The cousin they had escorted to Edinburgh a few days earlier conveniently provided them an excuse. “It’s some of Fiona’s things she was sending to her sister. It can be a ruse to give ye reason to travel back through the area. Ye can say some of her belongings got mixed in with ours, and ye needed to return to Edinburgh