The Brightest Star in the Highlands: Jennie and Aedan (Clan Grant Series Book 7) by Keira Montclair Read Free Book Online Page B

take care when you ride. Of course, you should not ride, but you are pig-headed.”
    He leaned toward her, close enough that their lips almost touched. Jennie wanted to cross the chasm and taste his lips, the smell of mint leaves beckoning her, but she controlled her impulses, mostly because they confused her.
    “Jennie, I appreciate all you have done, but the invaders are here again, and I must lead, even if ‘tis not my wish. I promised my sire I would lead our clan. Naught will stop me.” His heavy lidded gaze sent her a hidden message—one in a language she was just starting to understand.
    Footsteps echoed nearby. Moments later, Dermid reached his side. “Cameron, stop playing with the lass and make haste. This will not go well. There are too many.”
    “Mind your tongue, Dermid. Trust me, the lass and I are not playing.” Aedan turned away, but then stopped to look at her. “You will not leave the keep until our return, understood?”
    Jennie bit her lip because she didn’t like being ordered around, but she complied. “Aye.” Only because she was concerned for his well-being. “I’ll be here to sew you up again. For certes, you will be in far worse shape when you return.”
    Aedan followed Dermid out, but moments later he returned, breathless. Tugging her close, he whispered in her ear, “I look forward to it, lass.” She thought he was about to kiss her, but he pulled back instead. With a grin and a wink, he left the stable once more and climbed onto his horse.
    The way he clutched the saddle in a death grip was the only indication of the pain he felt. Aedan was no different than Alex, foolishly continuing to fight when they should not. He risked his well-being by leading his clan, yet he continued on. Men of the Highlands were fierce warriors, albeit foolish. A thought came to mind that she wished to push away. Had she left the Grant clan because of the fighting, or was the true reason something else?
    Her brother was no different than he had ever been, fighting to protect his clan and his neighbors, just as Aedan insisted on doing. Perhaps her request to her brother had been foolish and naïve.
    “Cameron, I know you must go. Swing your sword with the other arm and try not to swing it overhead.” She followed him on foot to the portcullis, watching as he joined his sea of warriors, a path opening through them for the Cameron, and he let out the clan whoop as he spurred his horse. The other men followed.
    He should be at the rear, not at the forefront of the battle. Why was he choosing to be foolish?
    She touched her fingers to her lips, feeling as though the near kiss had branded her. Though she was totally innocent in the ways of love between a man and a woman, she could not stop wondering what the near kiss had meant. She begrudgingly admitted it would have been quite nice had his warm lips pressed against hers, but perhaps it was foolish to assume he thought of her in that way. She blushed realizing others were watching her, so she crossed her arms against the cold wind, wrapping her mantle tight around her shoulders, and made her way back to the great hall.
    She suddenly had more than a passing interest in Aedan’s safe return.
    ***
    Aedan chastised his foolish thoughts. Aye, he had almost kissed the lass, but what a foolish act it would have been. Jennie Grant, renowned healer to the Scots and sister to the laird of the greatest clan in the Highlands, was not within his realm. His clan was small, and their continued existence could only be credited to the double abbey on their property. Protecting it was a mighty challenge, but fortunately, times had been quiet with little chance of any large skirmishes until now. Aye, there had always been reivers, but they rarely bothered the Camerons, fearing they would be struck down by God if they made a serious attempt.
    Suddenly, things had changed. These newcomers feared neither God nor man. “Dermid, how many?” His horse galloped across the meadow,