Highland Hawk: Highland Brides #7 Read Online Free PDF Page B

family."
    "So that is why they fled?" His tone was breathy with awe.
    "Aye," she said. "To save themselves from starvation."
    He laughed. "Or to save themselves from the peasants."
    "Mayhap every lass in Khandia looks exactly as I do."
    "Then Khandia's loss is my gain," he said, and covered her hand with his.
    She pulled her hand away and pointed to the molding above a particularly broad door. "What marvelous scrolling," she said. "What lies through there?"
    "Gome and see."
    She followed him inside then drew in her breath. "Such splendor," she said, gazing at the ceiling painted with cherubs and angels and heavy-crested steeds.
    "Aye. Tis splendid," said the marquis. "But when you are royalty..." He shrugged, grinning at her. "James IV often relaxes here. But royal guests are welcome as well."
    " 'Tis a soothing place," she said, moving to a window to look out. Below her, a small garden welcomed the coming of spring.
    "My chambers are soothing," he murmured in her ear.
    She turned abruptly and found him practically on her shoulder.
    "My chambers here are not nearly so large as those in Marseilles, but they are quite lovely, nevertheless. 'Tis there that I dream of you at night."
    "Monsieur," she said, endeavoring to sound scolding and flirtatious at once, when she really wanted to drag him from room to room and demand descriptions of each occupant. "We've only just met."
    "Aye. But that meeting has launched a thousand dreams."
    She turned away, hoping she oozed charm instead of impatience. "That door over there—"
    "Come to my chambers. There is time before the hunt."
    "What?"
    "Come with me," he whispered, so close she wanted to shake him off, like an overly zealous hound. "We shall have a bit of time before the royal hunt."
    "I fear I am still too fatigued to join a hunt of any sort."
    " 'Tis perfect then. You can find repose in my chambers. I share the space with two others, but they shall surely be afield. We shall have time and to spare."
    "Time for what?" she asked, looking him directly in the eye.
    For a moment he seemed taken aback, then, "I think you know, Princess," he said.
    "But I certainly would if you would tell me."
    "I am not an unwealthy man. I could give you much."
    "In exchange for what?"
    He reached out to stroke her hair. His fingers brushed her arm before lifting a heavy coil to his lips. "Your companionship," he murmured.
    "You already have my companionship, monsieur," she said and tugged at the wanton lock that curled about his fingers, but he refused to release it. "Why not give me whatever prize you deem appropriate now and we can go our separate ways?"
    He stared at her in blank surprise for a moment then laughed. "I am not accustomed to such splendid wit."
    "And there lies the difference between us," said Cat. "You call it wit; I call it honesty. But I am Rom, a wanderer by nature and force. I've no time for subtlety." Not unless it would aid her cause in some way.
    "Then I shall be forthright," he said, sobering dramatically. "I want you in my bed." He tugged her closer by the multihued length of her hair. "Indeed, I have wanted you since the moment I first saw you."
    "Which was only a few short hours past."
    "It matters not. You are in my blood."
    " 'Tis lucky for you then," she said, managing to tug her hair from his grasp while only losing a few strands. "For this way a part of me will be in your bed even though the rest of me is not."
    "You say you are too weary for a hunt," he said. "But I see 'tis not true. 'Tis simply a different kind of chase you lead. But I do not mind. In fact—" He reached out quickly, grabbing her arm again. "I will go to any lengths to have you."
    She smiled, though the expression felt stretched as thin as her patience. "For all I care, you can go to—"
    "Princess Cat." A man approached from her left.
    She turned with a scowl in the tiny space afforded her between the Frenchman and the wall—rather like the proverbial rock and hard place. But it was good that she'd