Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks Read Free Book Online

McHughs had little say in what happened at this keep, but Genevieve continued in a trembling voice, the only hint of how unsettled she was.
    “Please, good sir, pray let me continue before my courage leaves me.”
    Bowen nodded his agreement, and Genevieve took in a deep breath. She turned her face away, so that the scarred cheek was hidden from view. He didn’t know if she did it apurpose or if it was purely instinctive to hide that part of herself.
    “I should like to seek refuge in an abbey, but I would need transport and … coin … neither of which I possess,” she whispered. “I aided your brother, and though it was not why I did such a thing, I would be ever appreciative if you would see fit to provide for my entry into the abbey.”
    His brows drew together as he stared at her in disbelief. It was the very last thing he imagined her requesting.
    Her hands fluttered nervously and she rubbed self-consciously over her scarred cheek before pulling her hair forward to hide the deformity.
    “I would be willing to stay for as long as you need assistance in assuming leadership over the McHugh clan. I can give you information. I can also give you … ease.”
    Her cheek colored and her gaze fell. She wiped her hands down the skirts of her dress over and over as she waited.
    “Ease?” he echoed, not at all sure what she’d just offered. He had an inkling, but surely not.
    “I would act as your leman,” she blurted. “For as long as you want or need, provided at the end of our … liaison … you would escort me to an abbey so that I may seek entrance.”
    He gaped incredulously at her. And then he laughed, because what else was there to do? She spoke of entering an abbey and in the next breath offered to act the whore for him.
    Perhaps he hadn’t fully believed the truth of what she was to Ian until now. She bargained with her body like a seasoned whore, and he was disgusted by the idea that she would sell herself to him, bartering as if this were a common exchange of goods and services.
    More color stained her cheeks, and her eyes flashed with … hurt? How could she possibly be hurt? Nothing about this woman made any sense to him, and he had the idea that he’d never fully know the whole of her. It would likely infuriate him to ever try to understand the inner workings of her mind.
    “I know I am naught to look at,” she said quietly. “I do not blame you for your disgust. ’Tis said I have skill in … bed.”
    She choked out the last word as if it were suffocating her. The color had fled from her face, and she looked ill.
    Jesu, but this became messier all the time. Now the lass was convinced that his disgust was over the scar on her face.
    He sighed, angered by the whole of it. And more than a little appalled that she’d offered herself without care. She hadn’t displayed even a modicum of self-respect.
    Aye, it didn’t just make him angry. It made him bloody well furious.
    “Do you not have more pride?” he demanded. “Do you offer yourself to every man who crosses your path, or is it because you find yourself without a protector now that your lover is dead. Would any man do?”
    She went utterly white. “Protector?”
    A hoarse, dry laugh escaped her, and the sound was guttural and ugly in the silence. He thought that she would say more, but she clamped her mouth shut and leveled a stare at him.
    Her eyes were cold, unfeeling. The façade was back. No emotion reflected whatsoever. It was like looking across the waters of a loch in winter.
    “What say you, Bowen Montgomery? Will you accept my proposition? Do we have an agreement or nay?”
    He shook his head, distaste foul in his mouth. “I have no desire for Ian McHugh’s leavings.”
    He spun on his heel and stalked from the room, but not before he saw the flash of anguish replace the coldness in her eyes.

C HAPTER 7
    Bowen strode through the keep and into the courtyard. The hall was devoid of people and eerily quiet. They’d