Highland Honor Read Online Free PDF

requested? The truth? I feel I deserve that much since ’tis clear that I will be placing my verra life at risk.”
    â€œ Oui , you do deserve that,” Gisele agreed. “And you will have it as soon as we get Guy safely to Maigrat’s.”
    â€œGisele—” Guy began to protest.
    â€œ Non , that is how it must be.” She looked at Nigel. “It is an ugly tale I must tell you, Sir Murray. You may yet change your mind about helping me. I must see that Guy is safe before I risk that.”
    â€œFair enough. I will collect all of my belongings and tell all who need to ken it that we now leave this army. We will leave here at first light,” he added as he left.
    â€œI feel certain that this is the right thing to do,” Guy said after a moment of weighted silence. “I wish you would look more confident.”
    â€œAnd I dearly wish I could feel more confident,” Gisele said, then sighed and forced a smile for Guy. “All will be well.”
    â€œYou do not actually mean those words.”
    â€œ Non , yet I feel I should have more faith in them.”
    â€œYou confuse me.”
    â€œI confuse myself. I have no reason to mistrust Sir Nigel, none at all, yet I am afraid. From the moment I fled my husband’s lands I have, more or less, fended for myself. Even here, even seeking your protection, I still felt as if I led the way, as if I had some control over the path I walked. The moment I agreed with you and accepted Sir Murray’s protection, I suddenly felt as if I had given that control away.”
    Guy frowned and patted her hand in a weak attempt to soothe her. “I think you grow fanciful. I truly believe he is a good man.”
    â€œI think that deep in my battered heart I feel the same, yet even that does not ease my fear.”
    â€œThen perhaps we…”
    â€œ Non , there can be no we now. You must heal, and I must run again. The two are not compatible. I should set aside my worries, ones that seem born of no more than my own timid heart, and thank God that there is someone willing to help me.” She grimaced. “That is what I will set my mind to doing, and mayhap this feeling that I have just stepped off a very high cliff will pass.”

Three
    Gisele slowly paced her cousin Maigrat’s kitchen. They had made good time in their journey to her small demanse , but Guy had suffered. He had been pale and bathed in sweat by the time they had reached Maigrat’s gates. His dire appearance had been all that had gotten them within the walls, Gisele was sure of it, and she found that a painful truth to face. There was no ignoring how they had been swiftly brought around to the rear, tersely ordered to hide their faces as they went, and left to stand in the kitchens only after Maigrat had cleared them of servants. Nor could she ignore the lack of any offer of refreshment. Maigrat had always prided herself on her courtesy. Gisele suspected that her cousin hoped they would be gone by the time she had put Guy abed, but Gisele stubbornly stayed where she was. She would not leave until she was sure Guy would be cared for.
    She glanced at Nigel, who was sprawled in a chair at the well-scrubbed table, idly tapping his long fingers on the smooth surface. She felt ashamed for her cousin Maigrat. Although she knew nothing of the customs of Scotland she felt sure that he could see how poorly they were being treated. At least now he would believe her when she told him that they could not count on much help from her family. Gisele just prayed that he would believe everything else she said. She was not looking forward to telling him the whole sordid story, but that time was drawing near.
    â€œI believe she will care for Guy,” Nigel said, watching Gisele closely and feeling sorry for the pain her family was so obviously causing her.
    â€œI believe she will, too,” Gisele replied softly.
    â€œBut nay you.”
    â€œ Non , she will