All Her Men (The Queen's Men Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

“’Tis nothing wrong in that.”
    Releasing the breath she held while letting the albuterol work, she whispered, “What’s so different about you?”
    “Ah, lass, ‘tis so much different about me. The question is where to start? First, let us get ye to yer speech. Then we shall have some words. Ye must be introduced to us all properly.”
     

 
    Chapter 8
     
    As they exited the room from where she gave her speech, Amelia sighed deeply. All of the members had looked at her so expectantly, some even judgmentally. She felt like a child playing dress up, although she had never played the part of a queen… until now.
    Jacob motioned her to him and whispered, “Come. We must go to the tunnels.”
    “Tunnels?”
    “Aye, the tunnels are safest. They have extra fortifications. Ye must learn to escape should it be necessary.”
    “Through the tunnels?” Was he serious? “Tunnels, as in underground, with rats?” His lilting laughter greeted her in response. There was no recrimination for her. His face simply reflected mirth, as if he wasn’t sure what to make of her, but found humor in her words. “No, I’m not afraid of rats.”
    “Of course.” He still grinned at her.
    “Whatever.” She turned away from him. Her face hot from embarrassment and shame. “A flea on a rat caused the Black Death. I just don’t like being around them.”
    “Ye think we would let ye succumb to the Plague?”
    “The little slimy man might.” At his questioning look she clarified, “Your nasty little SNP Leader.”
    His body tensed and he began looking her over from head to toe. She began looking at herself too. Amelia had been extremely careful not to drop her breakfast on her, but maybe she had missed something. Upon not finding anything she looked back at him. His words sounded gravely and dangerous to her ears as he asked, “Did he hurt ye?”
    “Oh! No! He didn’t do anything… He’s just slimy… He makes my skin crawl.”
    “Ye will nae be alone with him again, I swear it.” His warm hand grabbed hers. He leaned forward, his breath hot on her neck, “I dinnae break my promises, Amelia MacRory. The world will end first.”
    She watched his face as he leaned back. The lines around his eyes were mired with anger, his jaw was taunt. No, this was not a man to break his promises. It seemed that she was stuck with a resolute protector and no way to get free. There was definitely no going back now. Of course, it didn’t mean that she wouldn’t try. “Are all Scots as stubborn as you?”
    “Nay, I am special. Now, come. We must meet the others.”
     
    ****
     
    He led her to a closet in the basement of Parliament. Upon opening the door, she knew something was different. It was empty; however, the dimensions seemed off. It was too wide to be so shallow. “Amelia, do ye ken what ye see?”
    “I’m not sure. It looks odd.”
    He grinned at her. “Of course tis. Tis the opening to another world — a world beneath the city.” He pressed a button on the wall and it moved.
    She jumped from terror! Was the building caving in? Were they going to be squished!?!
    “Relax, ‘tis opening.”
    Opening? Sure enough, the wall was moving outward and sliding open. Just enough room for a person to pass through. “What is this?”
    “’Tis a secret passage. Be careful, ye’ll find steps just beneath the edge.”
    True to his word, there were steps just on the other side of the edge. The wall was an older stone wall, the steps wound their way around and down. “What is this?”
    “’Tis an old escape route from Parliament. Learn the routes and ye’ll stay safe.”
    “Oh my God! It’s a secret tunnel! You brought me to a secret tunnel!”
    “Lass, keep yer voice down. Tis a secret and yer shouting it to the masses.”
    “Sorry…” she whispered. “I’ve always wanted to go in a secret tunnel. All the superheroes have them…” Amelia was a geek at heart. She had plans to build secret tunnels and passageways in her