Highland Champion Read Online Free PDF Page A

much they would not forgive or help her with.
    Brother Matthew seemed to have no qualms about her or her tale, but Liam was well aware of the man’s sweet nature and naïveté. The man could also be blinded by the fact that this pretty little woman was blood kin to him. Liam knew he would find it difficult to remain wary, especially when he looked into those big green eyes. Or glanced at that tempting mouth. Or heard that seductive voice. Liam inwardly cursed. It was going to be very difficult indeed.
    He shifted his body in a vain attempt to get more comfortable and realized his broken leg was propped up on several cushions and still secured to the bed. A moment later, he also realized that his movement had drawn Keira’s attention. He watched as she set aside her sewing and moved toward him. That was something else he had better not do too often if he wished to remain sharp of mind and cautious, he thought ruefully, for she had an almost sultry grace to her walk.
    “I think ye are a fast healer, Sir Liam,” Keira said as she looked him over.
    “I dinnae feel much healed,” he said as he studied his broken leg.
    “Nay, I suspect all those aches and pains ye suffer now hide the truth from ye, but I can see it in the color of that bruising and in the amount of the swelling. Both have eased more swiftly than in other people I have tended, and that is good. E’en your leg isnae as troubled by swelling as others I have tended.”
    “Why is it still tied to the bed then? And why have ye set it up on those cushions?”
    “’Tis tied so that ye dinnae move it too much as ye rest. Not only could the pain that would cause disturb the rest ye need, but ye could also easily destroy what healing has begun. ’Tis raised like this to ease the swelling, but I think that willnae be so verra necessary soon. Oh, ye will still have to rest it a lot and raise it like this from time to time for several weeks yet but unless ye do something verra foolish, I think ye will soon be using that leg again. ’Twill be weak at the start, but nay more than that.”
    Liam muttered a curse, then muttered an apology for his language, then sighed. “How many weeks?”
    “Six or more until we can remove the slats and the wrappings. I cannae say how long after that until ye can use it with the same ease and grace ye did before. That is up to ye, but I think it willnae be that long for ye are young, strong, and healthy. Ye willnae be left with a limp if ye take care,” she added, softly reminding him of his good fortune.
    “I ken it. I am verra fortunate indeed. ’Tis still an irritation.” He met her smile with a faint one of his own as she helped him sit up against the pillows she hastily set behind his back. “I think there are some monks who must be resting their heads on a verra flat bed.” She chuckled, and the low, husky sound stirred a dangerous warmth inside him.
    “Some do anyway as they feel such soft pillows are a sinful indulgence, but, aye, there are few spare ones at the monastery just now.”
    “I dinnae suppose ’tis time for Brother Matthew to arrive, is it?” Liam asked, aware of a pressing need and reluctant to have this blood-stirring woman assist him in such a personal chore.
    “Ah, nay, but one of the lads is here. He brought some hay for your horse. I willfetch him for ye.”
    The moment she left, Liam closed his eyes and recited every curse he could think of. It might be wise to cease trying to remain wary and use all his willpower to keep himself from reaching for her. He could not recall any woman who had stirred his lusts as swiftly and fiercely as this one did. Worse, she was not even trying to do so. There was not even the smallest hint of flirtation in her manner. She gave him no coy looks, no soft flatteries, and no inviting smiles, but despite the pain he was in, he wanted her as he had never wanted a woman before.
    Keira returned with a thin boy who had not yet grown into his feet and hands. She introduced