The Craving (Rogues of Scotland #1) by Donna Grant Read Free Book Online Page B

am the second of four daughters. My father gave my intended the dowry before the wedding.”
    “And the bastard ran off with it.”
    “Aye. My sisters need to find husbands as well. There’s nothing left for me to find another husband with.”
    Ronan soaked in that bit of news. “What about your aunt? Can she no’ help?”
    “She did. She allowed me to come here and make it my home. At least I have somewhere to go that isn’t the convent.”
    “So you’ve resigned yourself to being alone?”
    “I have.”
    Ronan didn’t quite understand why the thought of Meg with another man made him want to hit something, but he also knew Meg shouldn’t be alone.
     
    ~ ~ ~
     
    Meg wondered if everyone would be able to tell she was no longer a maiden as she and Ronan walked back to the castle once the storm had passed.
    When no one looked twice at her, she relaxed.  No matter how wrong it was, she couldn’t berate herself for what she had done. For those few moments, she had been worshipped, needed, and loved. It went a long way to bolster her failing self-esteem. 
    Just before they reached the castle, Ronan stopped her with a hand upon her arm. “Is all well?”
    “Aye,” she said with a smile.
    “You’re glowing, lass.” There was a very male smile pulling at his lips. “I did that to you.”
    She playfully rolled her eyes. “So you did. I suppose I should thank you.”
    “Oh, but you did. With a most precious gift,” he said in a low whisper.
    Meg shivered as she always did when he talked in that husky, seductive voice. “I must go. There are things I need to tend to. Will you be at dinner?”
    “Aye.”
    Ronan watched her walk into the castle before he strode into the stables and gathered the tools he would need. With his arms full, he was about to head out on foot when the stable master stepped in front of him.
    “Where are you headed with those?” the man asked.
    Ronan nodded in approval of the man. “I’m off to one of the cottages to make some repairs.”
    The man eyed him for a few moments before he let out a whistle and a white gelding ran up to the fence. “Take a mount. You’ll get there faster.”
    “Thank you.” 
    “How long will you be staying at Ravensclyde?”
    Ronan stopped on his way around the man. “I doona know.”
    “Where did you come from?”
    It wasn’t like Ronan could get upset with the man. He was looking out for Meg and the castle. “Somewhere far away. Meg has offered for me to rest at the castle for a while. I want to pay her back by helping out where I can.”
    The old man’s blue gaze went to the castle. “She came here several months ago heart sore. I’ve no’ seen a true smile from her before today.”
    “I’ve no intention of hurting Meg if that’s what you’re asking,” Ronan said. “She should be protected. It’s good that she has someone like you looking out for her.”
    The stable master gave a nod of his head and disappeared back into the stables. Ronan quickly grabbed a halter and readied the horse. With his tools in hand, he mounted and rode out of the bailey.
    For once, he knew exactly what he needed to do.
     
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER SIX
     
     
     
    Meg found herself searching for a glimpse of Ronan throughout the rest of the day. Disappointment filled her when she couldn’t find him. And a part of her worried that he had left.
    “It’s not like he promised he would stay,” she told herself. 
    Ronan had given no promises, nor would he ever. After he told her what happened to him, she knew without a doubt that he would remain for only as long as he wished. Afterward, she would never see him again.
    Meg’s mind was so full of Ronan that she couldn’t concentrate on the chores she needed to get done. Her body still hungered for more of him, but there was something else on her mind, something she was afraid to let linger.
    Ronan had made sure not to plant his seed within her. She hadn’t thought much about it