Highland Defiance (The MacLomain Series- Early Years) Read Online Free PDF Page A

were sharp and intense, watching her.
    She tossed the blanket aside and swung her legs over the side of bed only to realize she was nude. “Oh no!” Quick like, she pulled the blanket around her. “Why am I naked?”
    A corner of Adlin’s lips inched up. “You were sweating. I have little control over the servants when they’re set to make a guest comfortable. I suppose they decided that you didnae need clothing.”
    Mildred groaned. “Where am I?”
    “In my chamber.”
    “In your chamber?”
    “Aye.”
    “Why?” She pulled the blanket tighter around her. “I mean when… and why.”
    “Only a few hours ago. And you’re in my chamber because I requested it.”
    Mildred didn’t like it. Not one bit. “Give me my clothes. I want to go home.”
    Adlin didn’t move. In fact the only change in his expression consisted of one eyebrow inching up a fraction. “So you know nothing about where you are then? Or why you are where you are?”
    Mildred dug her fingernails into the fabric. “Um, I’m in Scotland and in your chambers. Didn’t we already cover that?”
    Ignoring her sharp remark he said, “Did it not strike you odd that I told you I was to take you to your betrothed upon your arrival?”
    Her mouth fell open but she snapped it shut. He had said that, hadn’t he? “It seemed the least of my concerns at the time.” With a heavy swallow she asked, “What exactly did you mean by that?”
    “I meant what I said.” Adlin shrugged. “Perhaps not in the way that you took it but in precisely the way I meant it.”
    Mildred frowned. Adlin was clearly a man who danced around the subject. Two could play at that game. “And how precisely did you mean it seeing how I took it all wrong?”
    A small grin erupted on his face. “Let’s just say that I’m pleased you’ve come here first and not there. I think it will make all the difference, lass.”
    “Be direct then.” Mildred narrowed her eyes. “Tell me why you’re pleased I’m here and not wherever I might’ve been.”
    The wind increased and the animal skins on the windows flapped violently. “Simple. I can forewarn you now.”
    She ignored her sweaty palms and increased heartbeat and said calmly, “Be direct, Adlin. Forewarn me.”
    “You weren’t supposed to travel to this particular time in Scotland. You weren’t supposed to meet me yet, Mildred.”
    “Not sure I like the sound of that,” she replied.
    “I know it sounds confusing but ‘tis not.” Adlin stood. “Look at it this way. We were given a chance to get to know one another before we ever really should have…at least in this reality.”
    “This reality?”
    “Here. Now,” he said with passion. “A blip in time.”
    Mildred gritted her teeth. “You make less and less sense by the minute.”
    “We were given an opportunity,” he provided but stopped when the door creaked open a fraction.
    Iosbail stuck in her head. “She’s awake!”
    Adlin’s expression clouded. “Aye.”
    She burst into the room. “Good. About time ye introduce us.”
    “Oh, stop talking in the old tongue,” Adlin mumbled.
    With a heavy sigh, Iosbail stood with her hands on her hips and looked from Adlin to Mildred. “But I enjoy it.”
    “’Tis tiring,” Adlin said.
    “Is it then?” Iosbail asked Mildred.
    Mildred stared blankly. The woman was asking her if her language sounded odd when she’d just been thrust back over a thousand years in time?
    “’Tis fine, you dinnae need to answer. I can switch my way of speech if ‘twould make it easier,” Iosbail said. She plunked down on the end of the bed, a wide grin on her beautiful face. “Tell me then, how was the time-traveling?”
    Mildred continued to stare at Iosbail, dumbfounded. It was strange comparing the disheveled female who’d raged over the bridge earlier with this somewhat refined woman. With hair as black as Adlin’s, a perfectly proportioned face and sharp, intelligent eyes, it was clear Iosbail was a woman made not