Lured to the Night (The Brotherhood Series Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page A

listen to anything anyone tells them. How long have they believed these wild tales?”
    Isla pursed her lips whilst she contemplated his question. For almost a year, she had hidden away in the gloomy depths of the castle, only daring to venture as far as the garden at night.
    “In the beginning, they assumed I had gone away with Nikolai. Then one night, Douglas was taken ill, and Malmuirie went to Mrs. Brody for a tincture. The woman insisted on accompanying her and administering the medicine herself. Consequently, come the morning, the whole village knew I’d come home. As time passed and I failed to surface during the daylight hours, there was talk that I was too ashamed to face people after being abandoned by my husband. There were a few strange whisperings but nothing like this. Then shortly after you arrived home two weeks ago, a cow was found slaughtered in the pasture.”
    “There have been at least five slaughtered in the last week alone,” Douglas added gravely. “The cattle are their only means of income. It’s like robbing the bread from the mouths of hungry children. Once anger flares, it soon festers. Someone is determined to see Isla gets the blame.”
    Lachlan folded his arms across the vast expanse of his chest and turned to face her. “Do you know of anyone with a grievance against you?”
    Isla stared up into eyes as blue as the sea on a sunny day, eyes that made a woman want to dive in and explore their unfathomable depths. “Only you, Lachlan. You’re the only person I know with just cause to despise me.”
    “Me?” He slapped his hand to his chest as though mortally wounded. When he visibly swallowed down his surprise, she saw a hint of disappointment mar his face. “Despite all that has occurred, you must know I would never want to hurt you.”
    The intimacy of his tone caused the familiar pain of regret to return. “I trust you, Lachlan. I know you would never intentionally wish to cause me any harm.” Her heart never lied to her. She had faith that it conveyed the truth when irrational emotions filled her head.
    Lachlan breathed a sigh. “Then we must find out who’s behind these rumours. Someone is killing the village cattle, and we must think of a way to catch them in the act if we are to clear your name.”
    A sudden sense of relief flooded her entire body. Lachlan possessed the physical strength of a warrior of old. He had a Highlander’s resilience, an unshakable resolve. Lachlan was the only man capable of banishing her nightmares. He was the only man capable of fulfilling her dreams.

 
     
    Chapter 4
     
     
     
    Lachlan bid them all goodnight. He mounted his horse and rode to Carrick Hall to take supper and change his clothes before riding back to the castle. In truth, he found the vicious rumours circulating the village rather disturbing. Even the most kind-natured people behaved irrationally when it came to the loss of their livelihood. No man wanted to see his wife and children deprived of food or coal for the fire. In that respect, he had decided to keep watch on Castle Craig. Just for a few nights. Just until he could talk some sense into the locals, perhaps find another explanation for the death of their cattle.
    Nestled on the bank of the River Earn, there was only one way to access Castle Craig: over the bridge leading directly to the gatehouse and then into the bailey. Hiding in the cluster of trees opposite the gated entrance to the bridge, Lachlan had a clear view of the castle. He found a log to perch on, wrapped his greatcoat across his chest and settled down to keep watch for a few hours.
    In Edinburgh, he would often fall into bed just before dawn. A night spent in the company of a drunkard or a lady with loose morals was preferable to spending time alone with his thoughts. Indeed, his mind was akin to an annoying relative, one quick to remind a man of his shortcomings, one eager to point out his many failings.
    As expected, barely five minutes had passed before