Highlander's Winter Tale Read Online Free PDF Page B

standing in front of the door to her and Cree’s private chambers.
    She pointed to the stairs, keeping her arm extended to let him know he was to leave immediately.
    “I can tell my presence has upset you and I am sorry for having disturbed you, but I would be most appreciative if before I took my leave I could see a forgiving smile on your lovely face.”
    Dawn was far too apprehensive about the stranger for his charming tongue to have any effect on her. She gave him no smile when she wagged her finger at the stairs.
    Her frown did not stop him from turning a compelling smile on her. “At least let me know your name.”
    He would learn soon enough, if he had not already, that she had no voice, but for the moment she thought it more prudent that she did not make him aware of it.
    Dawn gave a scowl that could best her husband’s and shook her whole arm as she once again pointed to the stairs.
    He was about to speak when voices coming up the staircase had Dawn turning her head. She was relieved to hear the sound of her husband’s strong voice and that of Sloan’s. Soon, she would no longer be alone with the stranger.
    She turned, intending to turn a smile on the man and stared wide-eyed—he was gone.
    “Dawn, I told you to stay—” Cree stopped as soon as he caught the look of fright on her face. “What is wrong? Tell me,” he demanded, slipping his arms around her.
    Dawn shook her head.
    “You will tell me,” he insisted.
    She tapped his arm twice for no and pointed to her shaking head.
    “If you do not shake your head at me, then who?”
    Dawn gestured, as if pulling the hood of a cloak over her head and shivered.
    “Are you telling me Alexander was here?” Cree asked.
    Dawn was troubled by the doubt she heard in her husband’s voice and nodded.
    “Where did you see him?”
    Dawn pointed to where Alexander had stood.
    Sloan went to the spot near the bedchamber door. “Are you sure it was not a shadow you saw?”
    Dawn shook her head forcefully and pointed to her lips.
    “He spoke to you?” Sloan asked surprised.
    Something was wrong and she looked from Sloan to her husband and shrugged as she wrinkled her brow in question.
    “I have had Alexander watched since his arrival. He has been in the kitchen storeroom with one of the servants for the last hour or more. The warrior watching him has confirmed it.”
    Dawn felt a chill run through her as she shook her head once again.
    Cree gave a nod to Sloan and he hurried past them and down the stairs.
    Dawn rubbed her head. She had seen the stranger. It had not been her imagination.
    Cree rested his hand to her lower back and eased her toward their bedchamber door. Once inside, he took her in his arms. “You are tired and the stranger arriving after Old Mary’s tale did not help matters, as did a few people falling ill.”
    Dawn stared at him a moment before asking a question she never thought she would ask of him. She tapped her chest, pointed to him and shook her head.
    “Do not ask me such nonsense,” he scolded. “Of course I believe you saw him, but I also know from experience that our minds play tricks on us when we are overly tired or upset. When I was held prisoner in the dark cell, I thought I saw you there with me more than one night.”
    Dawn tapped her mouth and pointed to him.
    “No, you did not speak to me, but then I would not have expected you to.”
    She frowned at her own foolish question. How would she have spoken to him without a voice? She gave thought a moment, and then gestured once again.
    “Are you asking me why I do not ask what Alexander said to you?”
    She nodded.
    “Tell me,” he said. Cree grabbed hold of his wife’s hands before she finished gesturing. “Do not dare ask me again if I would believe you, I believe your every word and always will.”
    Dawn dropped her brow to rest on her husband’s chest. Why had she asked him that? She had never doubted him before.
    He cupped her chin in his hand and raised her head.