Some Like it Scot (Scandalous Highlanders Book 4) by Suzanne Enoch Read Free Book Online Page B

and the treacherous footing below. If they were indeed able to remain here for the winter, one of those cows might just find its way onto their table, though that would be even riskier than poaching deer from Laird Glengask.
    They tromped through the wet, knee-high grass to the fence. A pair of scraggly raspberry bushes leaned there, just out of reach of hungry cow tongues. Most of the berries were well past being edible, but a handful toward the bottom of the bush looked at least passable.
    Elizabeth straightened as she popped one into her mouth. “I don’t know why Mother refused to return to the Highlands even for a visit,” she mused, gazing at the rugged, fog-draped mountains around them. “It’s so lovely here. And the letters you used to write me, about the MacDonald clan gatherings and the fairs—I wish I’d been old enough to remember more of it.”
    â€œWell, after ye’ve turned one-and-twenty ye can come up here whenever ye wish.” Catriona forced a chuckle, declining to mention that she wouldn’t be anywhere close by there, herself. “Though after hiding up here all winter, ye may never wish to set eyes on Scotland again.”
    â€œI will, because you’ll be here.” Her sister bundled the berries into a handkerchief. “The only good thing about this nonsense is that we’re together again. Out of everyone I know, everyone who used to invite me to soirees and country parties and say what dear friends we were, you’re the one who came to aid me when I asked for help.”
    Eventually, one day, Catriona would tell Elizabeth just how splendid the timing of her letter had been. For now, though, she nodded and helped herself to a berry. “Of course I came. We may have different mothers, but Randall MacColl was father to us both, and that makes us sisters.” She took a breath. “Now come along, before we both catch our death.”
    They had enough venison left for another two days, and then she would have to go hunting again. With salt she could preserve the meat longer, or with a smokehouse she could see that they had enough to last them the winter. But she had neither of those things. Perhaps if the giant didn’t return she could turn the small storage room at the very back of the east wing into a room where she could salt and cure meat. Not for the first time she wished she’d spent more time with the village butcher and learned how to do some of these things. She had an idea, of course—her father had made certain of that—but she doubted he’d ever had this particular scenario in mind for her future.
    As they reached the low stone wall, she helped her sister over the tumble, then hopped the barrier herself. And then she stopped. To one side of the half caved-in entryway lay a heavy-looking sack. Her heart thumping, Catriona put out one hand to stop her sister from advancing. “Wait here,” she instructed, setting down the pot and unslinging her musket. The woods still dripped emptily around her, the only sound other than the wind in the treetops. Had it been there earlier? Blast it, she hadn’t been looking for burlap sacks tucked into holes, so she had no idea. After a long moment spent searching for any sign of movement, she squatted down and opened the sack with her free hand.
    Several parcels wrapped in heavy paper tumbled out. With a curse she shoved them back in and lifted the sack. “Can ye get the water?” she asked.
    â€œYes. Is that from your friendly giant?” Elizabeth returned, carefully hefting the pot and following her inside.
    â€œHe’s nae my anything.” Catriona led the way into the kitchen, checking every shadow and alcove as she went. They hadn’t been gone that long, but it would only take a moment for a man, however broad-shouldered, to find himself a hiding place in the ruins. Her giant. Ha. She handed her boot knife to her sister. “I’m going