Seducing the Highlander by Emma Wildes Read Free Book Online Page B

younger version of Ian that it was unsettling. It was Robbie’s father, Rossie had told her, whom Baron Frankton had accused unjustly of a crime, in an attempt to steal the man’s property. The older woman was a font of information, and her hand firmly ruled all the domestic aspects of the castle’s operation.
    Robbie inquired pleasantly enough, “Lady Leanna, how do you like the Scottish countryside? Very often the English find it a bit . . . untamed.”
    Worried that this man in particular would hate her, since her fiancé was responsible for his father’s plight, and because being put on the spot involved a dozen pairs of unrelenting male eyes upon her, Leanna took a compulsive gulp of wine before she replied. “I haven’t actually seen much besides what lies outside my window. I would agree it is very untamed . . . but also very lovely.”
    “So are you,” Robbie countered, and slightly lifted his glass in a salute that seemed to mock and compliment at once.
    Untamed, she wondered, or lovely? She murmured politely, “Thank you.”
    “Ian needs to show you around more,” Robbie continued. He was tall and athletically built, his raven hair and face remarkably like his older cousin’s, the handsome stamp of the McCray features unmistakable. “But then again, he’s very busy. I am here for a few days. Perhaps I could oblige and introduce you to the beauty of the Highlands.”
    Relieved that the young man didn’t seem to hold her accountable for the actions of her unwanted fiancé, she said sincerely, “That would be nice. Thank you.”
    “Tomorrow?” he suggested, his ebony brows elevating. “What do you think, Ian, shall I show her Loch Cray?”
    For the first time, Leanna glanced over and saw the laird’s expression, surprised to find it a mixture of annoyance and amusement. “I suppose,” he drawled. “Loch Cray is worth seeing, and Lady Leanna has been cooped up in this castle for over a week.”
    “I’ll be happy,” Robbie answered in the same smooth, lazy tone, “to liberate her.”
    “Not too happy, I hope,” Ian said curtly.
    “I am simply being friendly.”
    “I see.” Ian settled back in his chair, his fingers carelessly toying with his wineglass, his long legs extended. It took a moment, but he nodded. “Go well armed,” he said brusquely. “I trust your sword arm almost as much as I trust my own, Robbie.”
    “In the morning, then, my lady?” the younger McCray asked her, his smile boyish and captivating with its charm.
    Robbie McCray, Leanna decided then and there, was a rather dangerous young man.
    She nodded and stood, and though they might be her Scottish captors, to their credit the men at the table all rose politely to their feet. “In the morning,” she murmured. “I look forward to it. If you’ll excuse me, it is getting late and I am not used to so much wine. Good night.” She smiled vaguely at the assembly and left the table, heading for the stairs. To her surprise, she had taken no more than a few steps when she found herself suddenly lifted up off her feet by large, masculine hands, and a small, startled gasp escaped her throat.
    Ian held her firmly against his chest. “I wouldn’t want you to fatigue yourself by having to climb the stairs, my lady. Allow me to escort you to your—well, my— bedroom.”
    Her arms circled reflexively around his strong neck. She was well aware that everyone in the dining hall had seen him sweep her up, and his destination was no doubt obvious. She flushed, saying in low protest, “My lord, must you be so . . . so open with your intentions?”
    “They all know I want you; ’tis no secret.” He took the stairs quickly, two at a time.
    She agreed; they most probably did know it, Leanna acknowledged to herself wryly. His smoldering regard had been unhidden throughout dinner, as his dark eyes watched her eat her meal and sip her wine, and took in every single movement. While it was pleasing to so interest her handsome captor,