Highland Heat by Mary Wine Read Free Book Online

their purpose. More likely, they simply consider us too timid to take action when needed.”
    Each word dripped scorn. Deirdre held her thoughts and kept her lips sealed, but she couldn’t help noticing that the queen was far angrier than she. Perhaps there was hope in that bit of knowledge. Or at least there might be hope in knowing they were both intent on doing something to change the facts that upset them so much.
    But the world often wasn’t fair, and reality didn’t care who was content with their lot. Their actions might be admired during fireside tales, but during the bright light of day, there would no doubt be harsh consequences.
    “I was raised a proper daughter, but I’d think there is a difference in the manner in which women are reared in the Highlands.”
    The queen let out a soft, silvery laugh. “Aye, Deirdre Chattan, there is. One I am grateful for, I assure you.” Joan snorted as she discovered herself caught by a branch. Deirdre reached out and gently swept it aside. “You were taught to survive against the harsh land, just as I learned to navigate the hostile environment of court.”
    Deirdre held those words close to her heart. She was risking a great deal to help the queen, but she had made her choice. They moved closer, but the queen and her ladies did not have any skill when it came to masking their steps. The men stopped talking, their eyes scanning the trees around them. There was no fire, evidence that they were indeed trying to avoid capture.
    One of them drew his sword.
    “It is I, Sir Richard.”
    The knight peered in the direction of the queen’s voice. She moved forward, but Deirdre hung back. She didn’t trust the night. It could conceal those waiting to capture the queen so easily.
    “My lady, you should be safe behind the door of the abbey.”
    The knight offered his queen a courtesy while the others gained their feet and followed his example.
    “But worry not, Sir Richard. Going to the abbey has gained us the advantage.”
    “How so, my lady?” The man fitted his sword back into the scabbard that hung from his hip. The Highlanders wore their swords across their backs, and the difference made Deirdre hesitate.
    “I’ve discovered someone who will help us escape those who seek me.”
    The queen turned toward her. Deirdre drew in a stiff breath to banish the reluctance holding her back. A tiny voice in the back of her head warned her to turn and return to the abbey, but her pride refused to let her abandon her course. She stepped forward, and the knights considered her through narrowed eyes. Bathed in darkness, the moment felt slightly surreal, as though she might be only dreaming of escaping from the dawn that would rouse her to another day of serving at the abbey.
    That stiffened her resolve.
    “I suggest we trade clothing now, before anyone sees us.”
    The queen’s men stepped in front of her, surprising her with how abruptly they abandoned their polished manners. One of the knights actually hooked his hand around her forearm and sent her stumbling in order to stand between them.
    “This woman is a Highlander.”
    “I know it well.” Joan insisted, “She is exactly what we need, for her knowledge of this land will help us succeed in avoiding those who seek me.”
    The queen tried to cross in front of her guard, but they refused to let her. Sir Richard extended one of his arms straight out to keep the queen where he felt she was best protected. Joan didn’t care for his insistence. Deirdre lifted her chin and sent a hard look back at the queen’s escort. She’d made her choice, and no one was going to stop her from achieving a place that would honor her father.
    “I bid her join us.” The queen informed him.
    The knight frowned but lowered his arm.
    “You cannot see it, but she favors me. Our hair is the same shade, and our features similar. She has agreed to be a decoy so we may make our way while those looking for us follow her.”
    The men all lost their