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

had conquered the Broun’s, that highlanders were far better than lowlanders.
    Eventually, the retinue came to a halt. Though it would have been proper, Iosbail did not wait for someone to fetch her but left the carriage. They’d arrived at a keep not all that far south of the Defiance. For a split second she was tempted to lure Alexander there and kick his arse through with the hope that he’d never make his way back to his own time.
    But would that be the case? Someone in this clan clearly knew well how to use the Defiance. Could it be the Sinclair Laird?
    “Ye’ve got an eye for scheming, ye do, lassie.”
    Iosbail pulled her shawl around her shoulders and eyed the Irishman by her side. Here stood another thing that had her raising an eyebrow at Alexander. What sort of decent Scotsman kept a bit o’ Irish so close by his side? Typically, a bloody good one but she’d not give the Sinclair the praise.
    “If I’ve an eye then you’ve the double,” she responded.
    With jet black hair and an easy smile, he said, “Shamus is the name.”
    It did her heart good to be around her kind again. “What do ye so far from home, lad?”
    His brows raised, emerald green eyes merry, accent suddenly thick. “Yer an Irish lassie, then?” He clucked his tongue. “And here I thought you Scottish.”
    Iosbail glanced around. Nobody seemed much interested in their conversation. “As Scottish as the land made me.” She eyed him up and down. “I’d like to know yer story. Irish be no a welcome thing around these parts.”
    Cunning lit Shamus’ eyes. “And no be Broun’s.”
    “Yet here we both be .” Iosbail took his arm when offered. “It seems this journey just became a tid bit more interesting, aye?”
    “Indeed.”
    When Shamus led her away from the carriage it felt like the first genuine royal treatment she’d been offered since arriving in Scotland so very long ago.
    The holding in which they’d be spending the night was really more of a cottage. To drive home that fact, a couple and their three bairns stood waiting, a look of disbelief on their faces. Who could blame them? A royal faction of sixty men had just arrived on their doorstep.
    When Alexander, still done up with his tall boots, plaid, and royal emblems strode their way, they dropped to their knees. For fool’s sake, the mighty laird would love this!
    “Nay,” he said softly and lowered to a knee in front of the youngest. Startled, the girl looked at him, eyes wide enough to swallow the moon.
    “You kneel for no man,” he said and brought her to her feet though he remained kneeling. This brought them to eye level. “What is your name, lass?”
    “Jeez,” she whispered. “For Jezabel.”
    “Jezebel,” he said softly but just loud enough for all to hear. “’Tis a beautiful name, Jezabel.” He took her small hand. “I’ve a question for you.”
    “Aye, anything, my laird.”
    “’Tis late and we’re just upon you.” He smiled warmly. “Do you suppose my new wife and her ladies might find a spot by your fire?”
    Jezebel’s eyes didn’t leave his for a moment. “Of course, my laird.”
    He squeezed her hands gently. “Good then.”
    Pleased by his response her little eyes grew cautiously merry and she repeated, “Good then.”
    “There you have it.” Before Iosbail quite knew what was happening Shamus had a hand to the small of her back and was ushering her forward.
    Alexander stood and gave a half bow alongside the little, Jezebel.
    Even though she had her wits set on how she’d like this to go, the site of being ushered toward a little cottage with Alexander bowing alongside a wee one made her feel quite humbled. On her wedding night, Iosbail found herself not greedily taken by the Sinclair but warm and well fed on a cot by the fire, her ladies nearby.
    As she lay on her side watching the crackling fire, Iosbail tried to make sense of Alexander’s moves. He obviously had a plan… but what was it?
    Though she surely