My Wild Highlander Read Online Free PDF Page A

"I wish you to know, Lady Angelique,
I only have the best of intentions concerning you, the estate and
the title. And I thank you again for choosing me."
    Her heart sprang up with his gallant words.
But, in truth, he was trying to steal his way into her affections.
The intimate murmur of his voice, the way he lowered his lashes
against the sunlight, his mere presence, all contrived to charm
her, seduce her into believing he was the noblest of men. But she
knew differently.
    "King James already made his decision. I had
no choice in the matter because I am a woman. You have pleased the
king and so he gives me to you, along with everything that is mine.
I am but an object to be owned."
    Lachlan frowned. "I don't see you that way at
all. You are a lovely lady who deserves only the best."
    "We are to be married. There is no need to
pay courtship to me with your silver-tongued compliments."
    "I am not—" Irritation glinting in his eyes,
he glanced away. "Never mind."
    She immediately regretted her harsh words.
After all, the man had offered to protect her from danger, but he
was being paid handsomely for his services—a title, an estate.
Still, he could be a lot worse. He could be Kormad or Chatsworth or
Girard. All bastards.
    "I'll never lie to you," Lachlan said. "You
cannot trust me now and that is fine, but in time you'll see."
    "You are a man who cannot control his baser
urges. I do not want a husband who will make me a
laughingstock."
    He sent her a brittle stare. "What are you
speaking of?"
    "Lady Eleanor." The name turned her
stomach.
    "Aye, you caught me with her, but I was not
betrothed to you then."
    "And you were with Lady Catherine the night
before."
    He appeared a bit sheepish for a moment,
glancing away. But then his dark gold gaze found her again,
challenged her. "Indeed, but I hadn't met you yet, in either case.
How can you hold that against me?"
    "Now that we are betrothed, do you suppose
you are instantly a different person?"
    You will always want many women, a
different one for each night perhaps. I will never be enough for
you. Her eyes burned and she stared at the lacey handkerchief
in her hand. What did she care? She did not want him touching her
anyway.
    He remained silent and stiff beside her.
    "But that is the way of men, non ? I
must accept it. Accept my place and do my duty." Her throat ached.
Not for the first time, she wished she'd been born male so she
would have control of her own destiny.
    "No matter what I say now, 'twill not make a
difference," he muttered. "You won't believe me. All we can do in
this situation, m'lady, is our best. We don't yet ken what tomorrow
holds. There are many possibilities."
    Oui, the possibilities of new lovers
for him. And loneliness and embarrassment for her.
    A year ago, her girlhood dream of finding
true love and happiness died. Never would she dare resurrect such a
dream with this deceptive man.
    "In any case, I intend to protect you. You
may believe that, if naught else." Lachlan switched his gaze to the
doorway. She turned to see if Kormad had followed them. Instead,
Philippe Descartes waited there.
    "Philippe!" She rushed to him and clutched
his hands in hers, instantly feeling the calming sensation he
always inspired. He was her only genuine friend here, besides
Camille.
    Philippe was short enough that looking up
into his face did not hurt her neck. His pale skin was flushed.
    " Mademoiselle Angelique." Bowing over
her hands, he kissed her gloved fingers. "I'm sorry I could not
request an audience with the king again this morn," he said in
French. "I feared he would have me hanged. He does not like
me."
    Angelique nodded, her heart softening with
understanding. Philippe was her own age, still a youth really,
rather than a man.
    "Do not worry over it. I will have to marry
the Highlander, but he is better than the other two. At least, I
think he is."
    Philippe glanced toward Lachlan and his eyes
widened. He immediately dropped her hands and stepped back.
    "What