The Highlander's Bride Trouble Read Online Free PDF Page A

Lord.
    She’d known.
    Known what Ruth planned and had not offered help until Nareen reached out to her.
     For the first time, Nareen realized it might not be so good an arrangement for her.
     Abigail had much in common with Ruth, it seemed.
    “It appears ye have nae escaped from yer cousin Ruth’s plans for ye.” Saer MacLeod
     spoke from behind her, his tone low and edged with anger. Every muscle in Nareen’s
     body drew tight.
    “Abigail Ross is no better a mistress for ye,” he said grimly. “Ye’ll leave with me
     at dawn.”
    Nareen drew herself up and locked gazes with him. “I’ll be going nowhere with ye.
     Serving the Ross is me choice.”
    Even if she now doubted how safe she was. But she wouldn’t be reaching to Saer MacLeod
     for help. No, she’d fend for herself.
    She made to walk away, but Saer stepped into her path. For so large a man, he moved
     quickly.
    “Ye need counsel, Nareen. I’ve been in the country for only two years, and I know
     of Abigail’s reputation. She was very serious, lass,” he offered gravely.
    Nareen shook her head. “I will simply make it clear that I want none of it.” But she
     didn’t care for how little confidence she had in her own words.
    Saer was no fool and heard the way her voice faltered.
    “She feeds only her desires. Her clan could have benefited from her marriage. Instead
     of doing her duty to her kin, she cannae wait to begin planning new schemes.”
    There was no way to ignore the truth of his words.
    “I know she’s selfish,” Nareen confessed, “but she will nae sell me without me consent.”
    “Do nae be so sure,” he warned.
    She didn’t care for the sense of vulnerability his words unleashed. It raced through
     her, threatening to undermine her confidence. “Abigail is pleased with me, and I with
     her. She will nae jeopardize our arrangement.”
    She hoped.
    Nareen tried to go around him, but he lifted his arm and pressed his hand flat against
     the wall next to her head, blocking her way. Heads turned their way as the rest of
     the congregation passed by on their way back to their duties. Yet no one interfered.
    He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Are ye certain?”
    She shivered, the reaction instant and uncontrollable.
    “Ye should nae be, lass,” he said. “Nae a single Ross will even stop to ensure ye
     are well. They have left ye here to deal with me on yer own.”
    “They have no reason to think ye would harm me,” Nareen snapped.
    “It should cross one of their minds to make certain I am nae as savage as me reputation.”
    “Ye are twisting things to favor yer opinion that I should leave with ye,” she countered.
     “I will nae be changing me mind about me feelings for ye.”
    She propped her hand onto her hip, and his eyes narrowed. His expression gave her
     no hint to his thoughts, but her knees weakened as anticipation twisted her.
    “I accept yer challenge,” he informed her.
    Her mouth went dry.
    “I am nae challenging ye.” But her voice had turned husky with longing.
    His lips lifted in an arrogant grin. “Ye are, Nareen, and I enjoy it full well.”
    She shook her head, but his dark eyes flickered with determination. A moment later,
     he pressed his lips against hers. She gasped, recoiling, but the wall was solid behind
     her and gave her no room to escape. Saer cupped her nape, sending another shiver down
     her spine at the strength in his grip. There was something primitive about the way
     he controlled her, holding her in such a place.
    He might snap her neck if he chose.
    Instead, he kissed her.
    She stiffened, rejecting him with every fiber of her being. But he didn’t smash her
     lips beneath his. Saer pressed a firm kiss against her lips and then another before
     he swept his tongue along her lower lip. One soft lap that made her notice how velvety
     the surface of his tongue was.
    It didn’t hurt.
    And his fingertips weren’t digging into her nape.
    Surprise flashed through her, making her