Bedding the Enemy Read Online Free PDF

her joy.
    London…
    Keir McQuade looked down on the town with a frown. He’d honestly never thought to travel so far into England. He liked Scotland and was quite content to run his estates.
    There was yet another thing that had changed with his father’s recent behavior. James might just leave him standing in the outer chamber for months, considering the last McQuade he’d had in his presence had needed running through by the royal guard. The only thing his monarch might be interested in seeing him about was the inheritance taxes due the crown. But the secretary of the privy council could collect that.
    Yet it was his duty to wait for his king’s attention.
    Every new laird swore an oath to his monarch. It was a tradition that needed to be observed even more because of the way his father had disgraced the name of McQuade. Keir looked down on London and tightened his resolve. He wasna afraid of anything that would befall his own person. He was more worried about nae being able to restore his clan to good standing with his king. Being the McQuade laird, that was now his burden. Every soul wearing McQuade colors looked to him to maintain their honor. The men riding with him all wanted to be proud of the name they’d been born with, to wear their kilts with chins held high. His father had made that difficult with raids that cast a shadow over the honor of the entire clan.
    He tightened his hand around the reins.
    He’d make sure their sons could be proud of being McQuades.
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    â€œYou’re more clever than I thought.”
    Edmund was drunk, although her brother handled it expertly. There was only a slight slurring to his words and a pinch at the corner of his eyes that she had learned to recognize.
    â€œDon’t plan on getting married. I need you.”
    She bit her lip to retain the harsh words that bubbled up in response. What an arrogant fool her brother was. He mocked himself with his own words. One day he was ready to get rid of her, and the next he was warning her against thinking of marrying. The only thing his warning did was illuminate how little say she had over her own fate. Such knowledge was beginning to chafe, and being told that it was a woman’s position to accept it, very old.
    Her brother’s hunting hounds appeared to have more choice than she.
    â€œLure Raelin McKorey out tonight.”
    â€œThat isn’t necessary. I am making my own place with the queen.” She knew better but just couldn’t stand idle while her brother threatened Raelin. The Scots girl was her only friend.
    And she was a kindhearted soul as well. She deserved better than to be lured to her ruin. Especially by someone that she had been kind to. Maybe many at court considered that acceptable in the game of getting ahead, but it stuck in Helena’s throat, refusing to be swallowed.
    Edmund’s eyes narrowed. He was an expert at concealing his true feelings, but she had learned some of his expressions, mostly the ones that promised her the harsh side of his temper.
    â€œA position of your own?” He snickered softly at her. “Any player with a bit of skill can do what you have done, sister.”
    Edmund moved toward her, his gait as refined as ever, and stopped within reach of her.
    â€œI will not repeat my instructions. Do it—once the king retires and his nobles have a chance to leave for the night.”
    Or suffer his displeasure. She heard that clearly enough. But she refused to aid him in this scheme. Or any others, for that matter. For all his fine clothing, she suddenly noticed just how pathetic he was. Her parents might have spent endless hours drilling her duty into her but they had also taught her honor.
    Edmund didn’t even seem to know such a trait existed.
    â€œI will not assist you, Edmund. Raelin is not dishonorable.”
    His hand struck her quick and sharply, her head turning with the blow. When she returned her gaze to his face, she