Seduced by the Laird (Conquered Brides Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

let out an audible sigh of irritation.
    Donna whimpered, her horse skittering closer to Kirstin’s so that the poor trembling lass was pressed up against her. Kirstin grabbed hold of her hand. Would Gregor kill Owen in front of them? Why didn’t John try to save him?
    “Keep your sense, sister,” Kirstin urged in a low murmur. “Do not draw attention to yourself.”
    Or to me .
    “I told ye I’d not ask again,” Gregor said. “The fact that ye willna tell me leads me to believe ye’ve no business at the abbey.”
    The unmistakable sound of metal sliding from a scabbard had Kirstin’s head jolting up and her gaze locking on Gregor. He still wasn’t looking at her, but the deadly expression on his face spoke of his intent. He was going to kill all of them. He motioned to the warrior holding Owen who dragged him forward.
    John held his sword out, a growl on his lips. The rest of the Warriors of God looked ready to take on the Highlanders before them.
    A battle, death, was imminent if she didn’t put a stop to it.
    “Gregor, stop,” she said calmly. More calm than she felt. She lifted her head, letting her hood fall back from her face.
    There was an indrawn breath all around as the guards on both sides regarded both her and Gregor in shock.
    “Kay?” Gregor sounded as though he were being strangled.
    His eyes were as wide as the wooden bowls she ate porridge out of at the abbey, and his skin had paled five shades.
    Kirstin inclined her head. “Please let us pass.” She gulped in some air, trying to shore up her nerves, to steady her fiercely trembling hands. “I understand that perhaps ye are guarding the abbey, and I can appreciate that. Our houses of God need all the protection they can get these days. As a daughter of the Lord, avowed to live a life in service to God and the church, I assure ye, we mean no harm.”
    “A woman of God…” His voice trailed off. Not a question. Not really a statement. More like he was trying to wrap his mind around what she’d just relayed.
    Perhaps, she, too, had misrepresented herself. She’d never told Gregor she was a nun. She’d never even told him her real name, instead calling herself Kay. At the time, she’d told herself it was for her own good, to keep her safe, in case the men who had captured her sister all those years ago and murdered her parents, were still looking for her.
    Too quick to judge.
    A sin.
    Kirstin raised her eyes briefly to the heavens, begging forgiveness. She was in a perpetual state of penance, and she was certain she’d never be free of any of her sins.
    “Please, Gregor. I’m certain my guards would not object if ye wanted to escort us to the abbey.” Even if she would object most emphatically.
    Her heart hurt so much just looking at him. Talking was torture. If she had to be in his company a moment longer she was certain to break down in tears.
    John made a guttural noise, about to argue, she guessed, but Kirstin stayed him with her hand on his arm.
    “Gregor?”
    The man was still speechless, his gaze on her, but she couldn’t tell if he was truly seeing. A man beside him cleared his throat, and Gregor came to.
    “Aye, Kay—”
    “Sister Kirstin will do,” she cut in. No sense in keeping that part a secret anymore.
    Kay did not exist, and she wasn’t going to dredge her up now.
    “Kirstin.”
    Her name rolled off his tongue, and she could see in the way his eyes squinted before returning to normal that she’d hurt him, too. Even if it was only his pride.
    “ Sister Kirsten,” she said once more, emphasizing her place in the world. “Then let us go. We are tired from traveling through the night, and my companion needs to rest.”
    Gregor nodded, and ordered his men to flank them, though his eyes never left her. She felt her cheeks begin to flame, her heart pounding so hard she was certain her ribs would crack.
    Owen was returned to his empty horse, daggers shooting from his eyes. John and the other men shifted