Samantha James by His Wicked Ways Read Free Book Online Page B

breath—“toward Munro lands.”
    His gaze narrowed. Meredith had the uneasy suspicion he’d not expected her to notice. Then all at once the corner of his mouth lifted in a baiting smile.
    “North and west,” he agreed mildly, “toward MacKay lands.”
    Munro lands. MacKay lands. In truth, what did it matter? Either way, she was his prisoner. These many months at Connyridge she had taken comfort from the repetitive order of the day, yet now the world was splintering all around her. She knew not what the day would bring. Indeed, she knew not what the hour would bring, if the truth be told, for her life was inthe hands of this rude Highlander, Cameron MacKay! She had no say over it, over him, she thought with a rising hysteria.
    Stop it! hissed a voice from within. She could not control the outside world, but she must take command of herself, she decided. Meredith forced a deep, calming breath, determined to seek respite from the turmoil in her soul. She knew but one sure way to accomplish this.
    Sinking to her knees, she closed her eyes and made the sign of the cross, then clasped her hands against her breast.
    Behind her, there was a long expulsion of breath and a brusque exclamation.
    “God’s teeth, woman! What the devil do you think you’re doing?”
    Her lips stopped moving. Her eyes did not open as she said simply, “I am praying.”
    “Again?”
    Was the man blind? Meredith found little need to reply.
    There was a foul curse, the jangle of a harness, and the noisy stomp of footsteps. In the next instant two strong hands shot out, cupping her elbows from behind. In a heartbeat she was lifted to her feet and turned bodily to face him.
    “I have not harmed you, have I? Abused you or beaten you?”
    He was angry again. She could feel it in the muted restraint of those hands which still curled warm about her shoulders. He was so tall! Far taller than her father, or even her Uncle Robert, who was by far the largest man at Castle Munro.
    Her prayer had irritated him, irritated him vastly, she realized. She could well believe that here was aman who believed in no God, yet the notion that any man could be so foolish was almost beyond comprehension.
    Ah, if only he would let her go. She hesitated, uncertain how to answer. Then, compelled by a force she was powerless to control, her gaze trickled slowly up the strongly muscled column of his neck, past the clenched line of his jaw, to the glitter of his eyes.
    His expression was everything she expected, a reflection of his manner, hard and impatient. With his features so drawn and fierce, his mouth so very thin, he frightened her half out of her wits!
    Her gaze veered away.
    He gave her a tiny shake. “Answer me,” he demanded. “Have I hurt you, harmed you in any way?”
    Her eyes returned to settle on the broad expanse of his chest. “Nay,” she said finally. Through some miracle she managed to sound somewhat normal. Her composure returned, little by little.
    His hands fell away from her shoulders. “Then cease your prayers!” he growled.
    That brought her head up anew. Now that he no longer touched her, she no longer felt so muddled. It seemed suddenly important that he not know of her fears—or, at least, the depth of them.
    “You do not understand,” she stated coolly. “I do not pray for myself. I pray for you.”
    “For me!” He appeared taken aback.
    Meredith stared him straight in the eye. “Aye,” she said quietly, “that God will forgive you your recent sins.”
    “Sins! To what sins do you refer? I’ve no doubt you’re anxious to regale me with your account of my misdeeds.” His smile was both false and brittle.
    Meredith stiffened. “Very well, then. You took mefrom Connyridge, and for what purpose, I ask? To make my father believe that his only child is no more.” Her denouncement was stinging. “’Tis revenge you want, revenge for the death of your brothers and your father. But I tell you, you are wrong! The Red Angus is no