For Love or Loyalty: The MacGregor Legacy | Book 1 Read Online Free PDF Page A

catch it. He hobbled over to retrieve it from the dirt road. With slow effort, he made his way back and pulled a rolled parchment from his sleeve. “Here it is, just like I said.” He handed it up to Malcolm, who grunted when his horse sidestepped as the man coughed and wheezed.
    “To tell the truth, I canna read either.” Malcolm unrolled the parchment. He held it up and squinted as if trying to make sense of it. Curious as to what happened to her friends, Lauren glanced at the slanted handwriting. She lifted her finger at the sight of the MacGregor name toward the bottom. A blot of ink made Iona’s illegible, but Carleen’s name was easy to read. She jabbed the paper to gain his attention. When he didn’t respond, Lauren grabbed his hand, squeezed, and jabbed the paper where their names were.
    “Lass, are ye sure?” Malcolm asked, the hope in his voice undeniable.
    She squeezed him again. The warmth in his touch was like a lifeline, leaving her in complete dependence on him.
    “What did ye say the name of this ship is?” Malcolm asked.
    “ The Loyal Adventure .” The man scratched the side of his head. “Bound for Charles Towne.”
    “Thank ye, good sir.” Malcolm tipped his hat and secured an arm around Lauren. “Do ye know of another ship heading there?’
    “Aye.” The man nodded with a yellow-toothed grin. “ The Sea Lady sets sail just after sunrise in the morn.”
    “We will need to find an inn for the night,” Malcolm lowered his voice near her ear. “But I warn ye, it shan’t be the kind of place ye’re used to, and I canna afford naught better. Ye need to be careful. The men there canna be trusted. If ye try to seek help, ye might end up in a situation worse than me.”
    Since Lauren couldn’t respond, she listened, wondering if he wanted to intimidate her or if what he said was true. She would wait and see what she thought after they arrived.

    Malcolm sat at a table with a mug of ale. He’d only taken a few sips. Now he waited for the liquid fire to dull the bitter taste and his senses along with it. The wee hours should have enticed his weary bones to sleep, but the blessed slumber once again evaded him. On the morrow he would leave bonny Scotland—possibly forever.
    He could only afford one chamber at the inn, and in such a place of ill repute no one questioned his being with a woman. At least, the hood concealed her identity. Once she returned to her family, her reputation would still be intact.
    In no way would he have harmed her with his knife, but it was necessary to threaten her. He needed to ensure her silence while he questioned the sailors. In spite of his behavior, she had helped him find his mother’s and sister’s names on the roster. He was grateful, but that didn’t mean he could trust her. His mother and sister were indentured servants to the captain. In return, the captain would sell them in Carolina when they arrived.
    Malcolm’s heart was heavy with worry. He couldn’t help wondering what kinds of hardships they were enduring. If only Duncan Campbell had been more patient. Resentment lodged in his chest, making it hard to breathe. He lifted his cup and took a long swallow. This time the liquid burned going down. He inhaled deeply and shook his head. Malcolm released the air in his lungs like a dragon blowing out fire.
    After he drained his cup, Malcolm returned to their chamber. Lauren slumbered on the bed, lying on her stomach with her limbs spread out. She still wore her clothes. The warm fire he started in the hearth earlier would soon die. The tiny blue flames licked what was left of the smoldering logs. Cold air already sneaked into the room. Malcolm grabbed Lauren’s red cloak discarded on a wooden chair in the corner. He spread it out over her before settling on his own makeshift pallet on the floor.
    Lauren was a decent lass. What had motivated her to read the roster for him? Was she trying to win him over? The lass wasted her efforts. He would never