Legacy of the Mist Clans Box Set Read Online Free PDF Page B

want to speak, but with her home destroyed, she knew it was their only answer. She gazed up at Branan, her heart breaking.
    “Perhaps we should seek shelter at the home of . . . my betrothed.”
    Branan’s jaw tightened but he held her gaze. “’Tis a good idea, lass. I need to speak with him.” He fell silent, his eyes staring into her soul.
    Catriona swallowed hard. He did not object to her betrothal. Only now did she realize her heart had clung to a tiny shred of hope, but it suddenly vanished, along with the rest of her foolish childhood fantasies.
    “Catriona?” Gavin asked. “Can you ride?”
    “Not alone.”
    “Let me take her,” Branan said.
    To her shock, Gavin released her and Branan lifted her into his arms. She squeezed her eyes shut and settled her head against his shoulder, vowing she would not cry, but tears leaked down her face no matter her effort.
    Branan and Gavin had come home, alive and well. She was no longer alone.
     

Chapter Three
    Brackenburgh
     
    A s they rode, Branan wrapped his plaid around them both and held Catriona close. His excuse was to keep her warm, but a part of him savored the wonderful feel of her body against his. In the ten years Branan had been gone, Catriona had blossomed into a beautiful young woman. She only reached the middle of his chest, and when Branan had embraced her, he’d felt as if he could have wrapped himself around her twice.
    Although petite, Catriona was strong and lithe. As a child she had mastered the bow and constantly hunted in the forest. Her father had ignored her unladylike behavior, secretly pleased with her skill. Now she was strong, yet the feel of her feminine curves ignited Branan’s blood. Her face was no longer childlike in shape, but her angelic blue eyes were just as beautiful as he remembered. Her smile still dazzled him and her skin remained unblemished.
    Errant locks of red-gold hair brushed his cheek as she rested her head against his shoulder. He fought to keep from inhaling her sweet scent—a subtle hint of jasmine that enchanted him. He sighed softly, his arms tightening around her.
    “I missed you, Branan,” she whispered, burrowing closer.
    He glanced down at her, startled, then smiled. “I missed ye too, lassie.” He released his breath. “Gavin told me about your betrothal.”
    “Papa refused to listen to me. I thought I could talk him out of it. I detest Richard.”
    “Why?”
    “Oh, he’s handsome enough. Many a girl would kill to marry him. But he’s an absolute beast. He’s rude, arrogant, and thinks I’m something to be coddled. If he had his way, I’d be locked in a tower for the rest of my days.”
    Branan felt his lips twitch. Confining Catriona would drive her insane. “I had hoped to talk to your father about this.”
    Her shoulders bowed. “He’s gone now.”
    “I am sorry, Catriona.”
    She rubbed her eyes and he knew she fought back tears.
    “Still,” he said, trying to distract her from her grief. “Gavin is heir. He now has a say in who you marry.”
    She shook her head. “Right after Gavin left, my father signed the betrothal contract.”
    His heart crashed to his boots. She shivered and Branan’s arms tightened around her. Betrothal contracts were difficult enough to break, but since her father had placed his mark and then died, dissolving the contract would be well-nigh impossible.
    Branan’s anger levered up a few notches and he silently cursed John de Reigny. He loved his foster-father, but how could John do this to Catriona? Why force her into the marriage if she could not abide the man? He never thought John would do anything like this.
    Jamie, one of Branan’s men scouting the road ahead, galloped back to the group. “Riders!” he called, drawing his sword and hefting his targe. “About fifteen, heavily armed, ridin’ hard.”
    Branan cursed under his breath. With Catriona in his arms, he could not fight. His men immediately moved into positions around him. Their first