Claiming the Highlander Read Online Free PDF Page A

of her hair brushed against the creamy length of her neck. The delicate curve of her earlobe peeked out from the cover of her fine hairs. A piece of flesh never enraptured him as that did. He wanted to nibble on the fleshy lobe and whisper all the things he planned to do to her.
    “You ate most of it.”
    He forced his attention to the platter. “I like to eat. Let me find more.”
    “Nay, Caelen, I’m full.”
    “You ate nothing.”
    “I shall be quicker next time. Does that make you happy?”
    “Pleased.”
    She dipped her head. He smiled at the top of it as she chuckled. She laid her bare hand atop of his forearm. Her hands were cooler than his skin. Her touch was delicate. She dragged her hand away. Her nails scraped against his skin, like a tingle.
    “Perhaps we should head to our chamber.”
    Her head flew up. Her eyes widened. The various yellows blended to create her unmarred browns. “Aye—Aye.”
    “I’ll have a bath sent up for you.”
    She continued to nod. Her mouth slightly parted. Her lips glistened. Then she stopped nodding and stared at him. “That would be lovely. I have been at the clattan since morn. I must be covered with dirt and sweat.”
    He shook the kitchen boy awake. “Heat water for the countess. Come along, Brenna.”
    When she rose, he rested his hand on the small of her back. He liked—nay, appreciated the piece of her flesh, where her back curve and her buttocks flared. Her delicate appearance deceived him. As a wee lass, she appeared as if a strong breeze off the loch would topple her. She wasn’t the delicate female he believed. Brenna possessed femininity and a backbone. After all, he had never known a woman to be straightforward.
    Passing the laird’s chamber, he spotted his mother slipping out. “Caelen, your father wishes to speak to you.”
    Brenna excused herself after bidding his mother a good night. “And you as well, Brenna. Son, wait.” She grasped Caelen by his arm.
    Brenna climbed the stairs.
    “I am glad you and your wife are building your relationship. It will ease some conflict, especially if an heir comes soon. Your brother will be your heir, and though I love Boyd, he still requires a guiding hand and Manus…well, he is Manus.”
    “I understand, Mother. Do not fret. You have enough to deal with. I will go see my father now.”
    Mother followed him in to the chamber. She settled in the chair before the raging fire.
    His father laid still. His eyes were closed. His chest appeared not to rise or fall. A chilled grip squeezed his throat. “Father,” Caelen said with more force than necessary as he shook him.
    His eyes popped open. But the corners were pinched along with his mouth. Caelen could do nothing when he wanted to cut out this illness that rotted his father from the inside. He had to do something.
    “The council,” he asked. He motioned to be raised. Caelen cupped him under his arms. The wetness of his underarms drenched Caelen’s hands. The staleness of dry sweat and blood stung his nose. With one lift, Caelen sat him up.
    “Aye.” Caelen crossed his arms. “They ran to you.”
    “They worry you don’t know the clan and how things are, especially since Grant is stirring a fuss.”
    “I heard. We made an arrangement and my wife is here now.”
    “He has gone to the king to complain. He thinks you wish to invalidate the marriage. The monies and title have increased this clan’s standing that we now have power in the lowlands and court. Deal with this. I cannot help much.” Father’s head drooped forward. His thinning, gray locks hung in a tangled mess. A sharp twist cut through Caelen’s chest as he stared at his father’s clenched jaw. Even in sleep, Father had not escaped from his pain.
    Caelen scooped his father up and laid him down. His mother buried him under the linens and bear covering. “You must stop these troubles and work with those pestering, old men. They whine to your father. Though he commanded them to present all the