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

prefer it that way, wee privacy,” Malcolm said. “Besides, I did not think ye wanted to spend time alone with yer abductor.” He grinned and held out her food. “I brought something to break yer fast.”
    “I was not referring to spending time with ye, only that I did not want to be neglected.” She grabbed a towel and dried her arms. “Ye covered me . . . with my cloak.” Lauren pulled her shirt sleeves to her wrists and sat on the edge of the bed.
    “Aye, I thought ye might be cold.” He handed her the coffee and the porridge. “Eat all of it. I canna guarantee when we will eat again.” He sat in the wooden chair across from her.
    She sipped her coffee and grimaced, then took her first bite of porridge and frowned. “The food here tastes strange.”
    “Aye, mine was as well.” He gestured to her food. “Eat. We do not have much time.”
    She must have been hungry. To his relief, she obeyed. After she finished the last bite, she blinked and swayed. She managed to lift her mug and sipped the rest of her coffee. “Are we leaving now?” Lauren blinked several times as if she couldn’t focus. “Thank ye. I feel much better.”
    “Time to go.” Malcolm stood and reached out to her. She tried to take his hand, but she stretched too far to the right. “This way.” Malcolm looped an arm behind her and under her knees, lifting her in his arms.
    “What is wrong . . . with me?” Lauren mumbled. “I do not understand why I am so tired. Did ye poison me?” She touched the heel of her hand to her forehead, wrinkling her fair brow.
    “ ’Tisn’t poison. Just something to help ye relax an’ sleep a wee bit,” he said. “How else could I get ye aboard The Sea Lady without resistance?”
    “Ye brute!” Lauren tried to slap him, but her aim was off.
    Malcolm chuckled and pulled her close. He had no doubt that by the time they reached the ship, she would be asleep and docile.

    Malcolm carried Lauren’s sleeping form down the boardwalk where a crowd had gathered in front of The Sea Lady . Two sailors were at a wooden table. A long line had formed in front of the first man, who was younger with no facial hair. He had a long parchment roll and wrote names down with other information. He pushed the quill across the page as fast as he could. The other man was a few years older with a brown mustache. He also had a parchment roll with quill and ink, but unlike his friend, he had a brown box with a lid.
    “If ye can pay the fare for yer journey, I shall take yer coins right ’ere.” The man with the mustache pointed at his box.
    A well-dressed couple with two children stepped in front of Malcolm. He couldn’t move as fast since he carried Lauren. His rolled pack looped over his shoulder, and his money pouch was fastened on his belt around his waist, holding his plaid in place. He
strained to hear how much the fare would be. With the money
he made from the cattle he and Thomas sold and from what he made selling his horse, he should have enough to buy both their tickets. As the people in front of him stepped away, Malcolm moved her over his shoulder like a baby to get to his money pouch. Lauren moaned. He winced and paused, waiting for her to settle. Malcolm hoped the rolled pack could serve as a cushion.
    “How much for two?” Malcolm asked.
    “ ’Tis five pounds each for a total of ten pounds.” The man grinned up at Malcolm with a lifted eyebrow as if he expected Malcolm to come up short. “O’ course if ye do not have the total fare, ye can get in the other line and sign yerselves up for indenture.”
    “If I wanted to do that, do ye not think I would be in that line?” Malcolm inclined his head as he counted out the ten pounds and handed it over. “The names are Malcolm MacGregor and Lauren Campbell.” He wanted to make sure that Duncan would be able to find a record of their travel. It was his first step in taking revenge.
    “Ye’re not wedded?” the man asked, frowning up at Malcolm and