Seducing the Laird Read Online Free PDF

have been trained for this," said Verena. "They know what to do."
    "The Scot’s wounds were excessive," protested Owen. "Gundy knew we needed him and yet to allow his men to do that …"
    "They were excessive," Hadran broke in with a slight shrug of his shoulders. "But that can’t be helped now. He seems to be recovering fine. It was necessary to create a sense of urgency so Verena could act."
    "Every day we risk our lives to make Gundy a few pounds richer and he doesn’t care enough to follow a simple plan. We made him into what he is today and what do we get? We are as trapped as the peasants in the fields, just better fed. If these soldiers fail …"
    "Then Gundy will find great enjoyment in punishing them for their stupidity," snapped Hadran. He was growing weary of Owen’s complaints. "They have enough to fear from their lord that they will follow directions. When will the Scot be ready for travel? I need not tell you Gundy is becoming restless."
    "Gundy is always restless," said Verena with a laugh. "We can start for Scotland on the morrow provided Gundy’s men aren’t too enthusiastic in their roles again. He is barely healed enough for light travel. We cannot risk seriously injuring him before I am safely in Scotland."
    "I will remind them to be careful. Jon is watching the main road and informed me that a large detachment of men is heading south from the McPherson stronghold." Hadran referred to their youngest operative, a spirited youth from Paris. "They are no doubt the Scottish reinforcements. You should rendezvous with them at the split willow by sunset. That is before the road forks to the east so the Scot will not become suspicious of you traveling so far north with him."
    "It will be harder to reach you once you are with the other Scots," Owen cautioned. "But no matter the danger, if you need me, I will come."
    "I know, Owen."
    Verena spared her friend a smile before turning back to their leader. Owen would come for her, but he was one man who learned to fight in the back alleys and muddy streets of London. Would he be enough to save her should the McPherson learn her true identity? She would rely on herself first and her powers of persuasion. She would be trapped in Scotland with Cairn McPherson and his knights, but she had been in far worse situations. She had no intention of needing Owen’s help.
    "If everything goes according to plan the McPherson will have no choice but to take you to Scotland."
    "Nothing ever goes according to plan," laughed Verena. "But I am adaptable. One way or another I shall enter Scotland and find this mythological treasure."
    "It might seem like a myth, but the treasure exists," Hadran insisted. "Somewhere up there is a fortune so secret not even the current laird knows its location. You will find it, Verena, and bring it to Gundy."
    "I will not fail."
    •
    Cairn watched Verena reenter the cabin through half-closed eyes. She said she left to relieve herself, but there was a strange inflection in her voice. She couldn’t have betrayed him so far from Langthorne, but the nagging feeling persisted that all was not as it seemed. She was too beautiful, too kind, too selfless and too sexy.
    Verena thoughtfully used her body to block the gust of wind from outside, but Cairn could still feel the biting cold. She must be freezing after wandering about in that weather. It was a shame she didn’t choose to warm herself in his bed. Sensing Cairn’s eyes on her, she softly whispered his name.
    "Are you asleep?"
    Her voice was low and sleepy reminding him of cozy fires, mulled wine and slow, erotic love.
    Cairn squeezed his eyes shut and didn’t respond. There was no invitation. It was only his imagination which dared him to touch the creamy expanse of shoulder exposed when she rolled over in sleep.
    She was so shy and fearful and at the same time courageous. It made her seem both innocent and alluring. As the fire burned low, bringing a chill to the air, Cairn longed to bury himself