Highland Honor

Highland Honor by Hannah Howell Read Free Book Online

Book: Highland Honor by Hannah Howell Read Free Book Online
Authors: Hannah Howell
ye were driven to it by crimes I am nay sure I want to hear about.” He sprawled on his blanket and patted the one spread out beside him. “Come to bed. lass. Ye need to rest. There is a long, hard ride ahead of us, and time to rest may soon be verra hard to find.”
    Gisele was stunned and moved to her bed, unable to speak. She had wanted Nigel to believe in her innocence, but he only accepted that she was justified in killing the man. As she curled up in her blanket she wondered why she was not furious and insulted. She supposed it was because he gave her tale more weight than many of her family did. Despite that, she found that she desperately wanted him to believe that she had not killed the man. Although it was good to know that he felt confident she would have been justified, that she would have simply been defending herself, she realized she wanted him to know that she was stronger than that.
    â€œYou show me more kindness and understanding than my family does,” she said, turning to look at him. “I should be satisfied with that.”
    â€œBut ye are not.”
    â€œI fear not. I am stronger than you think. I would have found another way to get free. By the time we get to Scotland I promise that I will have you believing in my complete innocence.”
    â€œFair enough. I, too, make a promise.”
    â€œDo I really wish to hear this?” She saw him grin, and silently cursed.
    â€œNay, probably not, but I feel it only fair that I tell you. Call it a warning if ye will. By the time we get to Scotland I mean to prove to you that not all men are like your husband. I mean to resurrect the passion he killed within you.”
    Gisele quickly turned away from him. She felt an odd mix of excitement and terror. Part of her desperately wanted him to be able to fulfill that promise, and part of her was desperately afraid of the same thing. As she closed her eyes, she prayed she would have the strength to allow him to fulfill his promise.

Four
    The cold water of the small river felt good against her skin and Gisele ached to immerse herself in it. There was no time, however. Nigel was watering the horses but a few feet away, and he had made it very clear that this would be a brief respite from their travel. For two long days they had ridden from sunrise to sunset with only a few stops. Her whole body ached. Fortunately, she was so exhausted by nightfall that even her extreme discomfort was not enough to rob her of sleep. She could not recall ever having worked so hard to elude her enemies.
    She glanced at Nigel. He stood by the horses looking as limber and rested as if he had just risen from a soft, comfortable bed after a long, peaceful night’s sleep. It annoyed Gisele, yet she knew it should not. Nigel was a knight, one of a breed who was probably set in a saddle before he could walk. He should look hale, not at all troubled by a few long days of riding. She knew she was jealous of his strength even as she was unsettled by her lack thereof.
    As she straightened up from where she knelt by the riverbank, Gisele winced and rubbed at the ache in her lower back. She thanked God that she still wore a page’s attire, sure that it had protected her soft skin far better than any gown would have. Gisele just wished she could find something that could protect her aching bones and stiff muscles.
    â€œIf ye are quick about it, ye can bathe,” Nigel said as he stepped up beside her.
    Gisele started, surprised by his sudden appearance so close at hand. She scowled at his feet, wondering if the soft, deerhide boots he wore aided him in moving around so silently. It was a skill she had envied from the first moment he had revealed it. No matter how hard she tried, however, she could not imitate it.
    â€œI think I need to hang a bell on you,” she muttered as she looked up at him.
    Nigel just grinned. “Do ye want a wee bath or nay, lass?”
    â€œYou wished to keep

Similar Books

Earth Angel

Linda Cajio

Sudden Recall

Lisa Phillips

The Disappearing Friend Mystery

Gertrude Chandler Warner

The Middle Kingdom

David Wingrove

Tug

K. J. Bell

Half Blood

Lauren Dawes

Honor Crowned

Michael G. Southwick