Trouble with a Highland Bride by Amanda Forester Read Free Book Online

informing him that he was free.
    Jack rolled back and grabbed the large plaid to draw it around him, ending her shameful gawking at the well-built knight.
    “Thank you. I am greatly indebted to you.” His eyes met hers, soft and true. He stuck his hand through the bar and Gwyn took it. Her heart skipped a beat at his touch. He then casually slipped his hand in the pocket of her kirtle.
    “I left the key over there on the barrel,” said Gwyn, smiling at his brazen attempt.
    Jack gave her a guilty smile and snatched his hand back through the bars. “I hope you do not blame me for trying. Is there any way I could tempt you to release me?”
    “I dinna ken a way to do it wi’out endangering the castle. I canna give ye the key.”
    Jack nodded and looked down, dejected. “I understand.”
    “David isna like yer murderous uncles. He winna hurt an unarmed man,” she reassured him.
    “So he would let me go?”
    “After ye were ransomed.”
    Jack slumped back on the wall. “Could he kill me instead and be done with it?
    “Ye dinna ken yer uncles would ransom ye?”
    Jack shook his head. “Not likely. They would not waste an ounce of gold on me.” He closed his eyes and leaned his head back on the stone wall. “They would mock me something horrible to know I was caught by a maiden.”
    “In truth, ye shut the gate, so ye actually trapped yerself.”
    Jack eyes snapped open and he groaned. “I beg you would tell none that. I shall contend I was apprehended by at least two dozen, killed several, and injured many others before finally being taken down by a treacherous blow to the back of the head.”
    Gwyn smiled in spite of herself. “Ye have quite the fanciful imagination.”
    Jack smiled in return. “I do what I must. Since I will be here awhile during the siege, I shall tell myself this story until I believe it.”
    “What do ye mean, siege? I thought both sides were going to meet tomorrow to talk terms.”
    Jack shifted on the floor and inspected the bandage on his foot, never meeting her gaze. “I was the one who wished to parlay. My uncles are here to wait it out. They came purposely before the harvest, so you would be at your lowest ebb of supplies.”
    “I am starting to take a dislike to yer uncles.”
    Jack smiled again. “I agree with the sentiment.”
    They were silent for a moment, Gwyn not knowing what to say. “It grows late. My sisters will be wondering about me,” she murmured.
    “I do thank you, Gwyn Campbell.” Jack’s voice was soft and low. “You have shown me kindness I did not deserve or expect. I have no right to say this, but as this may be my last chance, I will have you know that you are the fairest lady I have ever beheld.”
    “Thank ye,” Gwyn whispered, a shiver of joy rippling through her.
    “If only I could show you my gratitude. Here, wait, I wish for you to have this.” He rolled over to where he had placed his weapons and rolled back with the golden knife in his hand.
    Gwyn leaned back, but Jack merely stuck his arm out of the gate and dropped the knife on the sandy floor.
    “For you. To thank you. And as a remembrance of me if you should wish it.” He looked away and cleared his throat.
    “I will ne’er forget ye,” Gwyn whispered. She accepted the knife and held it tight in her hand.
    He met her eyes and somehow without realizing it, their hands reached for each other and grasped between the bars of the iron gate.
    “I do need to go,” said Gwyn with an odd hitch to her voice. She reluctantly pulled her hand away. “They will be wondering about me. My, but am I going to catch it when they find ye here.”
    “They shall not hear of your involvement through my lips.”
    “Ye would keep my secret?” Hope raised in Gwyn’s chest.
    “You have given me a service, and I shall not reveal my benefactor. It is the least I can do to repay.”
    “Thank ye.” Gwyn paused, turning over the impossible situation once more in her head. “If there was a way to set ye