The Eternal Highlander Read Online Free PDF

by the sight of his teeth. “Do ye file your teeth to get those fangs? I had an uncle who did that. Filed all his front teeth so that they were sharp and pointed. Thought it made him look fierce.”
    Jankyn scowled at her. “ I have no need of such foolish vanities.”
    Cathal watched her frown and, before she could think too long on Jankyn’s words, he said, “Ye will stay in this bedchamber.”
    That command pulled Bridget free from her interest in Jankyn’s teeth and she glared at Cathal again. Did he think that, since she owed him her life, she would be willing to warm his bed? The fact that she felt a definite stirring within her blood at the thought made her all the more determined to stand firm against him.
    “I am the sister of the laird of Dunsmuir,” she began.
    “Ah, good. Good.” Cathal started toward the door, a chuckling Jankyn close at his heels.
    That reply made no sense at all, she thought. “Why is that good?”
    “Tis best if the bride and groom are of an equal standing.”
    “Bride and groom? What bride and groom? Who is to be married?”
    “Why, ye are to be married, m’lady. To me.”
    Bridget was so stunned by his words, the two men were several minutes gone before she could utter a word. She spent several minutes more trying to decide if she had heard him correctly. By then, her bath had been prepared. As, with Mora’s help, she bathed and dressed in a warm night shift, Bridget convinced herself he had been making a poor jest. When Mora refused to take her to another bedchamber, Bridget climbed into the laird’s huge bed. She snuggled down beneath the warm covers and felt exhaustion sweep over her. For a little while she fought it, determined to be alert for the man’s return, for any attempt at seduction or worse, but soon knew it to be a losing battle. She told herself no man could take her innocence without waking her up and then welcomed sleep’s embrace.

Three
    “Ah, ’tis a fine day. I will just get a wee fire going in the hearth to take the chill off this room, aye?”
    Bridget opened one eye and peered over the covers at the woman by the fireplace. For a long frightening moment she could not recall who the woman was or where she was and in whose bed. Then her mind cleared enough for her memory to return. She glanced at the pillow next to her, but saw no sign that anyone had shared the bed with her. She inwardly cursed when she realized she felt faintly insulted by that.
    Cautiously, she sat up, relieved to find that her ordeal had not left her too sore. She glanced toward the window Mora had revealed and frowned. It was grey outside, grey and raining. That was not unusual, but she did not understand how Mora could think it was so very fine. It made Bridget feel strongly inclined to crawl back beneath the covers and sleep a few more hours.
    “Ye are looking much better, lass,” said Mora. “A good sleep has brought some color back into your bonnie wee face.” Mora helped Bridget out of the high bed and led her over to where a deep basin of hot water was set on a table near the fire. “Ye have a wee wash and I will fetch something for ye to wear. The lads brought your clothes up earlier.”
    Mora chatted away about how lucky Bridget was to be alive, how lovely her clothes were, and even carried on a lively debate with herself as to whether Bridget would look best in the green gown or the blue. Bridget let the woman talk, listening with only half an ear, and making the appropriate noises when she felt it was necessary to reply in some way. As she washed and cleaned her teeth, Bridget tried to recall everything that had been said to her last night. Just as Mora returned to her side, Bridget finally remembered those startling remarks the laird had made before he had left the room.
    “Bride and groom?” she grumbled, her voice muffled by the dark blue gown Mora was tugging over her head. “What is the big fool talking about?”
    “Seemed most clear to me,” said Mora as