The Highlander's Temptation by Eliza Knight Read Free Book Online

sourpuss.”
    Lorna’s mouth dropped open just as Ronan’s footsteps faltered in the center of the circular stair.
    “If ye’re planning to say ought but contemptuous things about a person ye might do so when they canna hear ye.” Their aunt’s voice was crisp and shrill.
    They were both in trouble now. Lorna bit her lip as Ronan muttered his apologies. When they were children, Aunt Fiona would have taken a paddle to both their behinds if she’d heard their conversation. And Lorna wasn’t too certain she wouldn’t do it now.
    “In the chamber with her,” Aunt Fiona demanded and Ronan reluctantly rounded the last of the stairway, coming into their aunt’s view.
    Ronan obediently trudged down the hall to Lorna’s chamber, entering when Fiona opened the door and depositing her on her feet with a look that said he’d pray for her.
    “Don’t leave me,” Lorna mouthed.
    “Ye shouldna have run away again,” Ronan whispered in her ear, before giving her hair a tousle.
    She’d be getting no help from him. He smiled then left, yet another sorrowful gaze expressed toward her.
    Lorna swallowed and lifted her chin , flicking her gaze toward the shuttered window. ’Twas bad enough she couldn’t see what was happening in the courtyard, but she couldn’t hear a peep either. The blood rushed like a waterfall from her head and she swayed slightly. Straightening her shoulders, she forced her gaze away from the window and toward her discerning aunt. She was a grown woman. Aunt Fiona couldn’t scare her now. But she did. Not for fear of physical harm, but for fear of whatever machinations she’d come up with and convince Magnus to carry out. Like a trip to Fiona’s castle or marriage. Even the thought of it made bile rise up Lorna’s throat.
    The bitter looking older woman waited for Ronan to depart before she shut the door and turned her pinched face in Lorna’s direction.
    Every ounce of confidence Lorna possessed wanted to run out that door on Ronan’s heels, but she couldn’t let it escape her.
    “Apologies, Aunt, for having disrespected ye.”
    Aunt Fiona made a snippy sound in the back of her throat, crossed her hands behind her back and walked slowly forward. Her hair was still mostly dark, with streaks of white going through it, pulled back in a bun so tight the skin at the sides of her temples was stretched to its limits. Her watery blue eyes were squinted as she assessed Lorna.
    She was certain her aunt would find her lacking in most things this morning. But that wouldn’t be anything new, and most times, Heather did something maddening before Fiona could finish with Lorna. But not today. Today she would stand up to her aunt. Spare Heather the harsh treatment. Remind her aunt of her own age—nineteen was no longer a child. Hadn’t they just been talking of marriage several days before?
    “I—” Before she could get another word o ut, Aunt Fiona held up her hand, lips thinning to white strips.
    “Dinna say it, lass. And afore ye move forward, Heather is already engaged so I’ll nay be distracted from the present conversation.”
    Lorna ignored the warning. “How—”
    “I had a sister as well as a brother.” She winged a brow. “Do ye nay recall?”
    Lorna nodded, pursing her lips. Fiona was sister to the Sutherland siblings’ deceased father, and whenever her aunt brought up that fact, it only made Lorna sad. A low blow on her aunt’s part to remind her of all she’d lost, but really, that was Fiona’s way. Almost as if she wanted everyone else to endure the pain she felt. Lorna’s shoulders sagged.
    “I dinna need a reminder of how old ye are, or that we were just discussing marriage not too long ago. I am well aware. I’ll nay berate ye, nor order your brother to take a lash to your rear as he should. But I will say this , and heed my words carefully. When ye act in a rash manner, then all manner of consequences must be paid.”
    Lorna watched as Fiona reached up to swipe away a hair