Highland Brides 03 - On Bended Knee Read Online Free PDF Page A

to Broc in her behalf… or simply make him aware of Seana’s interest. She didn’t know precisely what she wanted from Colin, though he certainly seemed the expert in matters between men and women.
    She nodded, pleased with her plan, as vague as it was.
    She wasn’t about to let herself lose the next opportunity when it arose, else she’d spend the rest of her life alone… with only a bloody cat whose complete trust and affection she was never going to win.
    Her gaze sought out the shadow moving alongside her in the gathering darkness of the forest.
    Wretched cat!
    Seana would have liked to think it had grown fond of her and loved her so dearly that it could not part with her company, but she knew better. It followed her everywhere, that much was certain, but it had never allowed Seana to pet it. She might come close enough to touch it, but it never remained to be loved. It darted away the instant it felt her touch upon its sleek black fur.
    “I see you,” she told the nearly invisible cat. “I think you like to torture me, rotten beast!”
    Her father had found the animal years back, when his eyes had only begun to go bad. He had gone out to check his spirits and had returned with the cat he had forever after referred to as “My Love.”
    Seana stopped suddenly. She couldn’t help herself. “My Love,” she called out, just to see if it would come to her.
    She was forever trying to win the cat’s affections—forever and to no avail.
    The cat stopped when it realized she was no longer walking. Seana peered hard through the misty forest to catch a glimpse of its sleek dark body moving toward her.
    My Love was beautiful, to be certain, beautiful and clever and more than just a wee bit wild.
    “Here, My Love,” she called out, once more coaxing it. The cat peered out from behind a tree at her. Seana caught the glimmer of a golden eye through the shadows of the forest. She stooped, making soft cooing noises as she tried to win the animal’s favor. “Here kitty.” She reached into her skirt and tore off a tiny piece of bread and held it out to the cat. It was growing almost too dark to see, but those shimmering yellow eyes were more keen than her own, she knew.
    “Damned cat!” she declared, when it was obvious that it would not come, and surged to her feet. She popped the piece of bread into her own mouth and slapped the crumbs from her fingers. The cat simply watched her, unwilling to move, unfazed by her indignation. Certainly, it seemed unmoved by her gesture—or even the fact that she’d eaten her offering, as well.
    She started on her way again, determined to ignore the beast once and for all. A rustling of leaves followed her, almost too faint to be heard, but Seana knew it was there. “I dunno why ye bother to follow!” she huffed. “I think you’re trying to drive me mad!”
    “You’ve some bloody wicked sense of humor, My Love! I’ll warrant you’re laughing behind those evil eyes o’ yours! Well, I dinna care!” she assured it. “Away with ye, accursed beast—begone!”
    And she began to sing: “Ohhhhh, I have me a gentil cok…”

Chapter 4

     
    Colin first came aware of the break of daylight behind his aching lids, and next the weight of an arm or leg upon his bare arse. He’d drank far too much, and his head was throbbing… almost as much as his…
    Christ, but it was frozen… he groaned, but didn’t dare move, afraid to cause himself more damage—not that he was afraid of a little pain… but he was greatly afraid of a little pain there .
    He’d passed out, it seemed—though not alone—upon the ground. And more’s the pity but he’d been far too drunk even to work off the frustration his mystery woman had left him with. He imagined himself surrounded now by plump breasts and round bottoms and lamented the fact that his head was aching far too much for him to even roll over and thaw his cok against the wench’s bottom.
    He groaned and opened one eye, then closed it