The Highlander's Bride Trouble by Mary Wine Read Free Book Online Page B

herself and Saer MacLeod.
    “I do nae deny it.”
    Saer was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest and one foot lifted
     and set against the wall behind him. He looked remarkably at ease, but one look into
     his dark eyes and she realized just how sharp his focus was.
    “Did someone forget to show ye to a chamber for the night, Laird MacLeod?”
    He flashed a grin. “Are ye offering to see to the duty? I might just rethink me opinion
     of sleeping inside stone walls if it means following ye above stairs.”
    His tone was teasing, but her throat contracted, like a noose was knotted around it.
     “I am nae. If ye do nae care for stone walls, why are ye here?”
    Saer studied her for a long moment, his lips settling into a firm line. “Ye do nae
     need to hide here, Nareen. I will escort ye to yer brother if ye wish.”
    It was a kind offer, one she might have considered if she trusted herself to be near
     him.
    “I thank ye for the offer, but I am well enough on me own.”
    “I admire ye for being resourceful, but ye need not serve in this house. They do nae
     respect ye for yer diligence.”
    It was true, and she wasn’t comfortable hearing it spoken aloud. “I am nae hiding.
     I have simply nae decided on where it is I wish to go from here.”
    He flashed a roguish grin. “Is that a fact?”
    She nodded but realized too late she was letting her guard down by engaging him in
     conversation. With amazing ease, he had abandoned his position against the wall and
     blocked her path.
    “I have a suggestion for ye, sweet Nareen.”
    She had to tip her head back to lock gazes with him. A shiver raced down her spine
     as she caught the flicker of determination in his eyes.
    “I’ve heard yer idea of where I should go, and I will nae be returning to Donarch
     Tower and me brother’s rule.”
    “Yer brother thought he was sending ye some place safe,” Saer counseled her gravely.
    There was an edge to his tone that shamed her. “I know,” she whispered, the words
     harder to say than she’d anticipated, the sting of being banished still too fresh,
     but she knew she would have to forgive her brother. Kael had meant well. Ruth was
     the guilty one. “As I said, I have nae yet decided on where I wish to go, only that
     it will nae be back to me father’s house.”
    “Ye should hear me suggestion, since ye are considering making a decision.”
    He moved even closer, indecently close. She shivered. Acute sensation was flooding
     her, numbing her wits.
    “Honor demanded I offer to take ye to yer brother.”
    She could feel the heat from his body. She stepped away, only to collide with the
     wall.
    “I’ll confess that I’d prefer to have ye to meself, lass,” he whispered.
    She detested the idea. She told herself she did. But she quivered, sensation coursing
     through her insides and leaving her curiously elated. Just as she had been that morning.
    “This morning in the chapel, ye made it clear what sort of offer ye have for me.”
     She struggled to maintain her composure. “I’ve no interest in the urges of men. That
     is why I am here, and it is why I will nae agree to leave with ye. Ye shall nae be
     claiming I challenged ye, so ye have a reason yer hand at tossing me skirts once we
     are away and there are only yer men surrounding us.”
    She was being overly bold with a man who was her better, but she lifted her chin in
     the face of his scowl. “Do nae be so insulted. Yer men are loyal to ye. I’d be a fool
     no’ to think on that fact. Ye deserve such words for the arrogant way ye took what
     ye wanted this morning. The Ross will think me a slut now. I wonder what ye would
     have thought of any man treating yer own sister that way.”
    His eyes narrowed, and he frowned.
    “Yer tongue is sharp.” He surprised her by speaking in an even tone. “Yet it is yer
     strength that draws me to ye, even when it is delivered in the form of blunt, but
     true, words. I was thinking only of