The Highlander's Bargain Read Online Free PDF Page A

out the fee later.” At least their arrangement would buy her some time to find a new roommate. She’d put something up on a few of the bulletin boards at school right away. Of course, she didn’t mention she had a furnished spare room where he could stay. Bringing this total stranger into her home was a very bad idea. Best find him a motel nearby.
    “We have a bargain.” He put the money back in his sporran. “There’s more currency where this came from. Lady True gave me her debit card.”
    Who was this Lady True he kept mentioning? A girlfriend? She hoped not. What? No. She’d sworn to remain forever unattached, focusing instead on her career. Still, she was human, and he was hot. She bit her lip, and her stomach flipped. Keep your hands to yourself, Durie. No messing around with the sexy Scot. She stifled the regret before it took hold.
    Casual sex had never worked for her. She felt too much, sensed too much, and it always led to heartache. Besides, hadn’t she learned anything growing up her mother’s daughter? Good old Mom went through loser men like most people went through paper towels. Her mom and dad had split by the time Erin turned three, and she had long ago been sadly disabused of the whole notion of “happily ever after.” She could be a guide for a month without allowing herself to become emotionally or physically involved. Robley of clan MacKintosh would be a means to an end, nothing more.
    They came to the main drag of the fairgrounds, with all its false-fronted shops, food vendors and hordes of fairgoers. She glanced at Robley. His eyes widened as he took in the sight of all the performances that were underway: jugglers, musicians and dancers. A magician’s show on the stage across the square drew his attention. A collective “ooh” went up from the crowd as the performer stuck a sword through the coffin-sized box holding his lovely assistant.
    All of the food booths had long lines, and people walked around with grilled turkey legs and ears of roasted corn. Flush-faced parents pushed fussy children in strollers. Little girls waving beribboned wands and wearing cone-shaped satin hats darted here and there, while little boys with wooden swords and shields gave chase. With so many people teeming around, it was impossible to walk a straight line.
    She kept them moving, wending their way through the milling crowd. The parade of nobles would begin any minute, and she had to hurry to the starting point. Robley blocked a man from running into her and hovered protectively near her side as they walked, touching a soft spot in her heart. Don’t even think like that! “So, who is this Lady True you keep mentioning? Is she your girlfriend or something?” Gah! None of your business, Durie.
    “Nay. Lady True is—”
    “Forget it for now. Stick close.” They’d reached the assembled reenactors, and it was not a conversation she wanted others to hear.
    Anne, this year’s elected queen, glared at her. “You’re late.”
    Once again she couldn’t believe she’d been aced out of the role of queen by her nemesis. Dammit. She wanted to be queen. Just once she’d hoped things would go her way, but no. She’d worked her way up from alewife to nobility through the Society for the Preservation of Medieval and Renaissance History. Plus, she’d been a member longer than Anne. The only difference between them was that, unlike Anne, Erin wasn’t sleeping her way through all the unattached voting males. “Sorry. I ran into a friend.” She gestured toward Robley. “Robley’s joining us today.”
    Anne’s brow rose. She did a once-over, starting at his broad shoulders, traveling down to his leather boots and all the way back up to his handsome face. She placed her hand in their king’s hand, smiling at Robley all the while. “Well, hello there, and welcome to my court.”
    “ Your court?” Erin snorted and rolled her eyes. “Don’t forget this is just make-believe.”
    “Besides that, I’m right