The Reluctant Highland Groom by Marilyn Stonecross Read Free Book Online Page A

gathered for supper,” he said. “Are ye feeling stronger, Cara? Ye look well. Yer color is returning.”
     
    Cara nodded. “Yes, I feel much better, thank you.”
     
    Granted, her high color was likely more from their lovemaking than any restored health, but she would let Logan go about thinking the ride had set her spirits aright.
     
    “ I’ll be in later,” Alec said to her. “I’ve some matters to see to. Logan...”
     
    “ I’ll speak to Ramsey,” Logan said.
     
    Cara threw one last wondering glance over her shoulder as Logan escorted her into the keep. Alec disappeared into the stables to see to whatever task he’d laid out for himself.
     
    Supper itself was a slow, cool affair. Sabrina exclaimed over her vigorous appearance, stating that a good outing was just what Cara had needed. “You’ll be able to return home soon, I think,” she said, as they all feasted on the first course.
     
    “ How wonderful,” Cara said, only half-meaning it. Yes, she longed to return to her home, but what about Alec...?
     
    Don’t think about him.
     
    Ramsey looked around for Alec and shook his head when the man failed to show, then leaned over to Cara.
     
    “ Lass, since ye are the last McHugh, ye’d best know I will be sending men back with ye to help restore your lands.”
     
    “ Thank you, Ramsey.” The Munro clan could hardly have many men to spare, and sending some along with her would stretch their resources further. She could do far worse than to have these people as neighbors. “When will I be going back?”
     
    “ Within the next few days,” Ramsey said. “A sennight, at the latest.”
     
    Alec arrived at that moment, dropping into a chair opposite his brother and reaching for the wine. Ramsey stared at him. “And where have ye been, lad?”
     
    “ Had some matters to care for,” Alec said. “I’m here now.”
     
    “ We were discussing sending several men back to the McHugh lands with Cara,” Ramsey said.
     
    Alec nodded briskly. “Aye, that’s a wise idea. Keep her safe.” He barely looked at Cara as he spoke, save a brief glance in her direction.
     
    Cara’s heart sank. You got what you wanted from me and now you can’t wait to see me off? She had heard stories like this around the village—men who used women for their own pleasure, only to cast them aside once they’d attained it.
     
    She had not thought Alec would do such a thing...
     
    After supper, Sabrina grasped her by the shoulder. “Come,” she said, “let’s find you some clothing for the trip back.”
     
    ***
     
    Alec found his older brother in the study, surrounded by maps, scrolls, and reports from scouts. He had no doubt most of them were in regards to the McHugh lands.
     
    “ Ramsey,” he said, “we must speak.”
     
    Ramsey glanced up, a weary smile tugging at his face. “Aye? What is it?”
     
    “ We must decide what to do with Cara, with the McHugh lands, with the Gunns.”
     
    “ Ah.” Ramsey set aside the missive he was reading and stood up, stretching his hands over his head. “Ye have thoughts, I gather?”
     
    “ Some. What is it you intend to do?”
     
    His brother ambled over to the hearth, holding out his hands to the blaze. The study was a cozy room, but some of the night’s chill still managed to creep in. Alec edged closer to the fire, holding out his own hands.
     
    Ramsey took a deep breath. “We can hardly leave the McHughs to fend for themselves; to do so would leave our flank open. But we are sorely low on men, and those I sent to help Sabrina’s uncle have yet to return…”
     
    Yes, a costly act of charity there, brother. But Alec bit his tongue. Antagonizing Ramsey would get nothing done, and might well jeopardize the fragile plan he was concocting.
     
    Ramsey thumped his hand against the wall. “We need to strike the Gunns, by God, but we haven’t the strength to do it! What’s more, they know it.”
     
    “ Ramsey?”
     
    “ This strike on the McHughs