Rebel Kiss: A Historical Romance Novel (Scottish Rebels Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

calm, rolling waves of the Atlantic. 
    Rowan returned his
gaze to the waves crashing against the beach, expecting Anna to elaborate on
her situation.  The air was humid in a way that he had never experienced,
making him feel as though his tattered clothes would never dry.  Anna’s eyes
were fixed on the horizon.  A look of longing had overtaken her pretty face. 
She chewed on her lower lip absentmindedly but remained silent.
     Rowan toyed with
the coarse sand of the beach, making a small pile of it between his legs.  He
threaded his fingers through the sand and stole another glance at Anna.  She
was perplexing indeed.  She was so small and fragile, but with such an air of
confidence about her that Rowan knew there was more to Anna Stanton than what
met the eye.  His gaze flashed over her body, which was thin and lithe.  He
couldn’t help but notice how the thin fabric of her chemise clung to her full
breasts and flat stomach. 
    “Do ye have any
notion of where we might be?”  Quinn broke the silence as he looked over at his
brother, who he caught in the act of blatantly appraising Anna.  “I ken that we
were supposed tae arrive in Williamsburg, but I think that the storm took us
off course.”
    “I do not think
this is Williamsburg,” replied Anna.  “From what I have been told, Williamsburg is much colder than this.  Look at these trees,” she said, eyes drifting
upwards towards the unfamiliar palm trees.
    “I believe we’re
further south,” added Rowan.  “Perhaps this is not even the mainland.  Could be
an island, ken?”
    “Wherever we are,
we need tae find shelter for the night.  It’s getting dark,” said Quinn, ever
the practical one of the three brothers.  “Malcolm!” he shouted down the beach
at his brother who was already exploring in the last light of the day. 
    Malcolm trotted
obediently back up the beach and joined his companions as they stood up,
brushing the remnants of sand from their clothes.  Anna was suddenly aware of
just how little the thin linen of her shift left to the imagination.  The ocean
breeze had chilled her damp body to the bone and not only was her body covered
with gooseflesh, her nipples stood in erect peaks from the chill.  Anna crossed
her arms defensively across her breasts and felt the flush of color stain her
face.
    Seeing her
anxiousness, Rowan rucked his damp shirt up over his head and tossed it at
Anna.  “There’s my penance for askin’ ye tae strip out of yer gown,” he said as
he trudged towards the trees, leaving Anna standing alone in the twilight on
the beach.
               
    ..ooOoo..
     
    “What’s a lass
like yerself doing all alone on a ship tae the New World?”  Malcolm asked,
breaking the silence as full darkness shrouded the beach.  The sounds of
insects and creatures of the night thrummed in the forest behind him and
Malcolm pulled his sodden shirt tighter about his body.
    “How do you know
that I was traveling alone?”  Anna asked, knowing that Malcolm had not been
privy to her earlier confession.
    “I doona ken.  If
ye had been traveling with someone, ye would probably be upset that they hadna
survived the shipwreck,” Malcolm said, toying with some sea grass to keep his
fingers occupied.
    “I was traveling
to Williamsburg,” Anna revealed, smiling nervously as she wrapped Rowan’s shirt
more closely about herself and then crossed her arms over her chest.  She had
answered Malcolm’s question, but her eyes were focused upon Rowan, who sat with
his back to the dense growth of trees.  Anna dared not speak the truth aloud. 
She was coming to America to marry a man that she had never met.
      A chill was
rising in the humid air and Anna wondered how Rowan sat across from her
shirtless, seemingly unfazed by the cold.  She noticed just how muscular his
tan, work hardened body was.  His trousers were slung low on his hips,
accentuating his toned abdominal muscles.  Rowan was no doubt a handsome