The Accidental Highland Hero by Terry Spear Read Free Book Online Page B

the laird of the castle.
    James grunted and cradled Marsalis in his brawny arms. “If she is a Dunbarton, you have brought the devil down on our heads.”
    He stalked back toward the keep, holding her tightly against his hard chest, not allowing her the freedom to struggle or to keep a modest distance. Although she relished his touch and didn’t wish to get away, or mayhap she did but she was too weak and her mind with fever too muddled to know it.
    The men all cleared out of his way.
    His mother ran after him, her small footsteps pounding the pavement. “She is ill, my laird. Keep that in mind.”
    “I should lock her in the tower for…”  He glanced down at Marsali. His heated gaze locked with hers. Heavens, he was a powerfully handsome man.
    For an instant, emotions warred in those pools of umber—concern, anger, a hint of fascination—and if she didn’t know better, recognition. ‘Twas truly the fever making her so confused. For ‘twas a gift she normally had to know other’s feelings before even they did oft times. But her mind was playing tricks with her now.
    His gaze shifted to the plaid blanketing her, and his dark brows rose. “She has even stolen my brat!”
    Though he sounded just as angry as before, a trace of humor reflected in his voice. Mayhap he was not as brutish as he appeared.
    Niall laughed. “Mayhap that is why your horse accepted her, cousin. He thought she was you.”
    James made a half grunt and lunged up the stairs, taking two at a time as if he had to get rid of his charge before she scalded him. “She should not be in the chamber reserved for Catriona who is—”
    His mother interrupted. “Catriona is not coming for a fortnight, and I make the bedding arrangements. The young mistress will stay in the quarters she has been assigned.”
    His head whipped around to face his mother. “What say you of Catriona? You mentioned it before, but I did not believe—”
    “I will speak to you later concerning the matter, James.”
    He gave his mother a stern look. “I should have been apprised of the situation at once.” He gave Marsali a cursory glance, refusing to look into her eyes again.
    She should have looked demurely away when he had chanced to catch her eye before. But she would not cower before His Lairdship. ‘Twas like staring down a mean-hearted dog. If she gave in, he would win. Well, not that this Highlander looked like any sort of dog, but—
    “What if this woman is the lowest of servants?  She should not be staying in the chamber reserved for Catriona.” James scowled at Marsali, and this time, he dared her to look at him with the same kind of fierce determination. She obliged, although her eyes blurred slightly from the fever. She thought his lips turned up just a hair, but she could not be sure.
    “She wore the finest of woolen garments, my son. This one is not a servant.”
    Somehow, Marsali knew that. At least she was gladdened to hear the news.
    Although James seemed to hold only contempt for her, he carried her close to his heart, which beat against her ear with a thunderous roar. His touch was gentle, but firm, his actions and his words not the same. Did he put on a show for his clansmen?  What did he intend to do with her?
    What if she could make this man care for her?  What if she could get his clan and hers, if she were a Dunbarton, to cease their hostilities?  She felt no animosity toward these people, and she could very well understand his being angered with her, first, because his people didn’t tell him she was staying in his castle. Second, because she had tried to steal his horse. And third, because she had stolen his brat.
    Closing her eyes, she snuggled tighter against the powerfully-built warrior and thought she heard him groan and curse simultaneously under his breath. Mayhap she could steal his heart as well?
    Nay, she knew now the fever had thoroughly addled her mind.
    ****
    James glanced down again at the petite woman cradled in his grasp as