Highland Destiny by Hannah Howell Read Free Book Online

hold her again. The only thing that stayed him was the certainty that it would be a very big mistake. She was still angry, and she needed time to think about what had happened between them.
    “And so do I,” he muttered, shaking his head.
    The passion she stirred inside of him with her soft, full mouth and her small, lithe body was a delicious, heady thing. It was also unsettling. Something that powerful made it hard to think clearly and, with young Eric’s life at stake, Balfour knew that a clear head was vital.
    “Has Nigel worsened?” asked James as he walked up to Balfour and leaned againstthe parapets.
    “Nay. He sleeps. The fever shows no sign of returning.”
    “’Tis what I heard, yet your expression was so dark I feared the good news had proven false.”
    “’Tis not Nigel nor his health I scowl o’er, but his wee nurse.”
    “A comely lass,” James said, watching Balfour closely as the man chuckled.
    “Too comely. Too sweet. Too tempting.”
    “And too ready at hand.”
    Balfour looked straight at James and slowly nodded. “Aye. We were in sore need of a skilled healer for Nigel and, behold, there she was. A blessing or a trap? Aye, sometimes when one has a great need God miraculously fills it, but I cannae take the chance of believing that now. Too much is at risk.”
    “Mayhap ye should just send her away.”
    “I should. She has even said she will leave as soon as Nigel no longer needs her healing skills. My wits said, ‘ Aye, that was for the best ,’ but all else began to plot ways to keep her here. I fear I learned naught from my father’s many follies. I want the lass and ’tis all I can think of.”
    “Nay, not all, for ye ken that she has secrets. Ye can see that there are questions that need to be answered.”
    “I do.” Balfour grimaced. “Howbeit, when I am near her, I dinnae think of getting any answers.”
    “Then I will.”
    Balfour hesitated only a moment before nodding. “My pride pushes me to say that I can do it myself. Fortunately, at this moment, I have more wit than pride. I have a weakness for the lass. I cannae trust myself to do what needs to be done. So, aye, see what ye can discover. She appeared at a time of need, but also at a time of conflict. She could be a bonny angel of mercy, but she could also be an adder slipped into our camp by our enemies. Maldie Kirkcaldy holds fast to many a secret. I must learn what they are. And dinnae take too long in discovering what those secrets are, old friend. I confess, that wee green-eyed lassie makes my blood run hot and my wits scatter. Best ye find out the truth swiftly, ere I am too ensorcelled to believe any ill of her.”

Chapter Four
    “Ye take good care of me, lass,” Nigel said as Maldie helped him ease his battered body into a seated position, carefully arranging several fat pillows behind his back. “I would have died if ye had not come to my aid.”
    Maldie inwardly grimaced as she felt Nigel’s arm curl around her waist. It had been five days since his fever had broken and, with each day, he had shown an increasing and alarming interest in her. The moment he had regained the strength to move his arm, he had begun to touch her. They were subtle, inoffensive touches, easily excused, except that they were becoming more frequent. There was also far too much warmth in his lovely amber eyes each time he looked at her.
    The very last thing she needed, she thought crossly as she neatly eluded his touch and went to collect the tray of food the maid had set on the table near the window, was yet another Murray trying to lure her into his bed. Nigel was being far sweeter and more courteous in his pursuit than Balfour, and it irritated Maldie a little that she had no interest in the younger Murray. Nigel was treating her as a man would treat a fine lady, his skill at flattery far surpassed Balfour’s, and he was an extraordinarily handsome man, yet she was completely unmoved by his interest.
    “I think I may need