In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks Read Free Book Online

sorely trying his patience.
    He looked around for his son only to see him running behind the women toward the keep.
    “Crispen,” he called.
    Crispen turned around, anxiety over being kept from the woman etched on his small brow.
    “Come here, son.”
    After another moment’s hesitation, he launched himself toward Ewan, and Ewan caught him up in his arms once more.
    His heart raced frantically as the sheer relief of holding his son again overwhelmed him. “You frightened ten years off me, lad. Don’t ever scare your father like this again.”
    Crispen clung to Ewan’s shoulders and burrowed his face into Ewan’s neck.
    “I won’t, Papa. I promise.”
    Ewan hung on to him far longer than necessary, until Crispen wiggled to be set free. He hadn’t thought to see his son again, and if Alaric was to be believed, he had the woman to thank for it.
    He looked over Crispen’s head to Alaric, demanding answers from his silent brother. Alaric shrugged.
    “If you’re wanting answers from me, you’re looking to the wrong person.” He gestured impatiently at Crispen. “He and the lass refused to tell me anything. The cheeky little brat demanded I return them both to you so that you could protect her.”
    Ewan frowned and looked Crispen in the eyes. “Is this true, son?”
    Crispen looked decidedly guilty, but determination sparked in his green eyes. His lips twisted mutinously, and he tensed as if he expected Ewan to launch into a tirade.
    “I gave my word,” Crispen said stubbornly. “You said a McCabe never breaks his word.”
    Ewan shook his head wearily. “I’m beginning to regret telling you of things a McCabe doesn’t do. Come, let’s sit in the hall so you can tell me of these adventures of yours.”
    He leveled a glance at Alaric, silently commanding his presence as well. Then he turned to Gannon. “Take your men and ride north to find Caelan. Tell him Alaric has returned Crispen home. Return as quickly as you can.”
    Gannon bowed and hurried away, shouting orders as he went.
    Ewan set Crispen down but kept a firm grip on his shoulder as he herded him into the keep. They walked into the hall amid a chorus of cries and exclamations. Crispen was soundly hugged by every passing woman and slapped on the back by the men of the clan. Finally Ewan waved them away so they were left alone in the hall.
    Ewan sat at the table and patted the space next to him. Crispen hopped onto the bench while Alaric sat across the table from them.
    “Now tell me what happened,” Ewan commanded.
    Crispen looked down at his hands, his shoulders drooping.
    “Crispen,” Ewan began gently. “What else did I tell you McCabes always do?”
    “Tell the truth,” Crispen said grudgingly.
    Ewan smiled. “Indeed. Now begin your tale.”
    Crispen sighed dramatically before saying, “I snuck out to meet Uncle Alaric. I thought I’d wait at the border and surprise him when he came home.”
    Alaric glared across the table at Crispen, but Ewan held up his hand.
    “Let him continue.”
    “I must have gone too far. One of the McDonald soldierstook me and said he was going to take me back to his laird to ransom me.”
    He turned pleading eyes on Ewan. “I couldn’t let him do that, Papa. It would shame you, and our clan can’t afford a ransom. So I escaped and hid in the cart of a traveling merchant.”
    Ewan tensed in rage at the McDonald soldier, and his heart clenched at the pride in his son’s voice.
    “You could never shame me, Crispen,” Ewan said quietly. “Now go on with your story. What happened next?”
    “The merchant discovered me after a day and he chased me out. I didn’t know where I was. I tried to steal a horse from men who were camping but they caught me. M—I mean she saved me.”
    “Who saved you?” Ewan demanded.
    “
She
saved me.”
    Ewan swallowed his impatience. “Who is she?”
    Crispen fidgeted uncomfortably. “I can’t tell you. I promised.”
    Ewan and Alaric exchanged frustrated glances, and