Highland Jewel (Highland Brides) Read Online Free PDF

rousing effect she had on him.
    "Why do you take the nun to your country?" she asked. "And what would be expected of me at the journey's end?"
    It was what was expected during the journey that interested Colin most, for if Leith wasn't intrigued by the possibilities, he certainly was.
    "She is na yet a nun," corrected Leith evenly. "But a novice, and one said to be a skilled healer. We will take her to the MacAulay who is gravely ill. Ye would but keep her company and return here after our arrival."
    "Oh." For a moment Devona's gaze flitted from Leith's to Colin's. "And you would guarantee my safe passage?"
    "Nothing can be guaranteed," said Leith soberly. "But we will do all that is in our power." His hand went to the dirk at his side. "And that is a considerable amount."
    She was silent, watching him, seeming to measure the man. "I will go," she said suddenly.
    Colin grinned.
    Leith nodded, giving the mare one last pat before striding away to duck between the rails and unwind his white stallion's reins from the post. "Buy the dark mare," he said to his brother. "Make arrangements with the widow."
    "Arrangements?" Colin asked, pacing toward Beinn. "Does that mean ye are interested?"
    Leith was in the saddle in a moment, but bent low to speak directly into Colin's face. "I am not an auld milk-fed maid who needs the help of her witless brothers to make a match. The widow will come as a companion and nothing more."
    "And if she wishes for more?" asked Colin evenly.
    "Then ye have me blessing," said Leith, and turned his stallion away.
    "Well..." Colin turned back to the widow with a grin. "It seems we have much to do."
    Devona blinked, lowering the tray slightly as Colin bent to step between the rails and straighten again.
    "Me apologies for me brother," he said quietly. "He is the laird of the clan Forbes and does na take time for pleasantries."
    "I'm certain he has much to occupy his thoughts."
    "Aye." Colin smiled. She was indeed a beautiful woman. A woman unspoken for, and a woman apparently not desired by his brother. It would be a shame to waste such an opportunity, especially since she was a widow, a woman in whom the spark of sexual desire had once been lit and had now dimmed, left unfulfilled. "We dearly appreciate yer offer to travel with us," he said. "'Twas indeed generous."
    Devona lowered her eyes with a blush. "Perhaps not so generous as you think. I fear I have my own reasons for wishing to be gone."
    "Indeed?"
    "There is no purpose for my presence here," she explained, resting her eyes on the mugs. "Since my husband's death I feel..." She shrugged.
    "Unwanted?" The word slipped unbidden from Colin.
    "Yes." She nodded slowly. "Unwanted."
    Sheer instinct propelled Colin across the short distance between them. "I want ye." The statement came out as a husky caress.
    Devona's mouth fell open.
    Suddenly he gripped the wooden tray between them.
    "But I... I don't know you."
    "Ye will," he breathed. "In yonder barn."
    The widow's eyes opened wide. "The barn?" she gasped.
    "Aye, lass. I burn for ye. Let me take ye to the barn and ignite—"
    Her palm hit his face with enough force to rattle the mugs atop the tray in his hands. "How dare you?" she hissed.
    Colin's jaw dropped. Apparently he'd employed the wrong methods. "I did na mean to insult ye. I only meant to lay-”
    "How dare you?" she repeated, sounding even more offended.
    Colin's brows lowered as the unsated edge of his desire burned on. "There are those who have na been so insulted by me offers."
    "And there are those who sleep with pigs," she hissed. "But I am not one of them."
    "Pigs," Colin exclaimed, but already she was striding stiffly toward the house, leaving him to hold the tray in abject bewilderment.
     
    "You will care for her?" asked the chaplain solemnly.
    "I will," Leith said, looking down into the man's worried eyes.
    Dawn had come and gone. It was past time to be off. Beside him Colin stood unspeaking, restraining his mount, the newly purchased