Highland Jewel (Highland Brides) Read Online Free PDF Page A

pick of the lasses," he declared, then scowled momentarily. "When Roderic is not about that is," he amended. "But one canna be expected to compete with one's identical self born into a separate body." He shook his head. " Tis difficult to believe the three of us be brothers in truth. For fair Roderic and I are constantly pressed upon by female attention, while ye..." He tipped a hand toward Leith. "Ye keep yerself to yerself like a monk."
    "I only thank the good Lord I did leave yer devilish twin at home," vowed Leith. "Now go before I pummel some sense into yer flea-bitten head," he added, and, reaching across the mare, seized a fistful of the lad's doublet.
    Laughing, Colin lifted his hands as if to ward off violence. "It is na me fault ye canna attract a lass, brother. Perhaps if ye quit yer scowling they would na be so scairt to look on yer scar-riddled—"
    The sound of a door slamming interrupted his words, catching both men's attention. Leith dropped his hand and Colin raised his brows at the dark beauty who approached from the nearby house. "Ah, there," he murmured with appreciation. "A woman. And English, so surely she is desperate for a true man. Quit yer scowling now, brother, and give her a try."
    "Quit yer yippin' and show some respect," rejoined Leith as he straightened.
    "For the lady?" quipped Colin.
    "For me, ye dolt," growled Leith before rounding the mare to greet the newcomer.
    She was a bonny woman with perhaps a score of years to her life.
    "I've come to bring you a bit to drink," she said, raising the tray of sweating pewter mugs so they could be clearly seen above the rough-cut rails of the fence. "Tis hot for so early in the season." Her gaze settled for a moment on Leith's somber face before turning downward to the mugs.
    "Aye," Leith said shortly, and Colin grinned, fully appreciative of his brother's characteristic lack of banter.
    "Verra hot," Colin supplied, then added, "and verra kind of ye to think of us, lady..."
    "Widow," the woman said softly, lifting her gaze finally to Colin's. "Widow Devona Millet." Her eyes, Colin noticed, were an amber color, her features delicate, and her mouth utterly kissable. "I am told you are Scots."
    Leith turned his attention to the mare again, seeming to dismiss the woman.
    "We are indeed Scots," said Colin, his brows rising as he noticed the widow's low neckline and his brother's blatant lack of interest. "And about to travel back to the land of our clansmen." Leith had been laird of the Forbes too long if he could not appreciate such a fine display of bosom, thought Colin. But perhaps the widow was just the thing to break the monotony of the journey home, as well as pull Leith's mind from his ever-present worries.
    Yes. Colin's smile widened as he forced his gaze from the widow's chest. "But we are in great need ..." He let the statement fall flat, thinking of his own needs for a moment before remembering his brother's. "We require a companion for the lady we will take back with us."
    "A lady?" the widow asked.
    "A nun," explained Colin, wondering for just a moment if he heard disappointment in the woman's tone.
    "From the abbey yonder?"
    "Aye," supplied Colin. Turning to Leith, he asked, "What of her, brother? She looks strong of leg—don't ye think, me liege?"
    "Methinks ye talk too much," said Leith as he straightened to glare at his brother.
    Colin only laughed. "'Twould be too much to hope that ye might be free to travel with us as a lady's companion," he said.
    "All the way to Scotland?"
    "Far into Scotland, in fact. To Glen Creag in the Highlands. But ye would be well paid for yer troubles, and carefully..." His gaze dipped to her bosom again for just an instant and his breath caught in his throat. "... carefully... guarded," he said roguishly.
    Her cheeks colored prettily and her eyes lowered. "I am not needed in the house of my husband's family," she said softly.
    "Then ye will come?" Colin asked, surprised by his good fortune and well aware of the