Highland Legends 04 - Captive Highlander by Connie C. Scharon Read Free Book Online Page A

him see what he had done to her, so she sat a bit more.
    “Tell me what malady affects your
father. My sister, Asilinn, is a healer of great skill. It could be she can
find a cure.”
    Ian changed the subject to yet
another that made her cringe. Drawing herself up tall in her seat, she addressed
him. “Aye, I have heard of your sister. The Enchantress of Dunbocan I believe
they call her.”
    He grinned. “Some do. Asilinn is
a skilled healer. There is no enchantment or magic involved.”
    “Rumors would say otherwise.”
    “I’m sure,” he said with a laugh.
“But you didna answer me. What is the nature of your father’s ailment?”
    Should she tell him? “He canna
move,” she said. “He lies abed and canna move or speak. I look into his eyes
and see the root of him is still there, but he is helpless as a babe.”
    Ian furrowed his brow. “Did this
come on suddenly?”
    “’Twas a slow progression and
then he became motionless and unable to speak.” Katie could not keep tears from
flooding down her cheeks.
    “Please come to me,” Ian
whispered.
    “What?”
    “Come to me,” he said again,
holding his arms open. “Let me comfort you.”
    Katie choked back a gasp. Her
body seemed to move on its own. She rose. In moments, she fell into his arms.
He kissed away her tears and held her. Grateful, she snuggled to his chest as
he stroked her hair.
    “Ah, sweet Katie, why couldn’t
you have come into my life in a more normal way,” he said soft against her
hair. “Please let me help you. I dinna ken what ails your father. It could be
born of deceit.”
    Pushing away from the comfort his
arms, she stared up at him. “What do you mean?”
    “Sounds like a slow poisoning to
me. My sister could get to the bottom of it. Free me and let me try to help
your father.”
    Shakily she stepped out of his
reach. “Poisoning by whom?”
    “Well, the clear choice would be
your ward. Your father chose him to lead the clan over others of your own
blood.”
    “Rannoch sent for the Irish
healer, Sorcha Blaine, to attend our clan. It canna be him.”
    “Did Sorcha arrive before or
after your father fell ill? Perchance she is involved.”
    “You try to turn me against my
people.”
    “I try to save your father’s
life. I wouldna be surprised if Rannoch used this as an excuse to petition our
king for your hand. Then he could see your brother met with some unfortunate
accident and Rannoch would become laird of Duntaigh Castle.”
    A ragged scream tore from Katie’s
throat. “Liar! You attack my innocence to try to turn me against those who have
taken over during this tragedy.” Backing towards the door to the cell, she
pointed an accusing finger at Ian. “’Tis you I should fear, you and your magic
kiss that inflames my body. I wilna listen to these lies.” She whirled around
and barreled through the door, slammed it closed, and secured it with the key.
    He gave her a lazy grin. “I am
glad to know my kiss inflames you, virgin Katie. I shall look forward to your
next visit.”
    Shaking, Katie ran up the passage
in an effort to get as far as possible from Ian Innes. Somewhere in the dark
corners of her mind, her inner voice spoke to her. Did Rannoch do this? Was
this why she did not trust Rannoch with the knowledge of her prisoner and her
plan to achieve peace?

 
    Chapter 6
     
    Katie could not get Ian’s words
out of her head. She couldn’t forget his feverish kiss or the desire that
snaked through her as he held her. Katie touched her lips and ran her tongue
around her mouth. My God, what power he had over her. One kiss and her whole
body tingled with feeling. She needed to focus on the other matter. Was he
right about Rannoch?
    She racked her brain to think of
the exact time Sorcha Blaine had shown up at their door. Rannoch said they
needed a healer and he sent for Sorcha to fill this need. At first Sorcha
seemed to help with the ailments of the clan. Then dark stories began to
surface. Tales of Sorcha brewing