The Highlander's Lady Read Online Free PDF Page B

and she swayed on her feet.
    “What has happened?” Magnus’ wife, Arbella rushed into the great hall toward the woman , taking her by the elbow .
    Lady Munro sank into the equally pregnant arms of Lady Sutherland.
    “My husband… There was an attack. Everyone is dead.”
    Daniel’s blood ran cold. “Everyone?”
    Rose nodded through sobs. “Except for Myra.”
    “Myra?” Daniel asked, the familiar name sending sparks through his veins.
    “Aye. Byron’s sister. She brought me here.”
    He recalled well who Myra was , from several years before when he’d visited Foulis. She’d danced with abandon, laughed until tears came into her eyes, and then simply vanished . Daniel had found her utterly charming, but obviously the feeling was not mutual. She’d told him she’d be back in a moment and he’d waited and waited… Daniel shook his head. Now was not the time to feel sorry for himself or try to figure out why the only woman who’d ever spurned him disliked him so much —for if she hadn’t she would have come back to him .
    “Where is she?” he glanced behind Lady Munro , the doorway completely empty.
    Rose shook her head. “She is gone.”
    “Gone?” Magnus looked sharply at Daniel.
    “Aye. She had to deliver a message for my husband .”
    “To whom?”
    Rose shook her head. “I dinna know. She wouldna tell me. Only that ’twas life or death. And death if she didna.”
    That didn’t sound right. Myra could be in danger. W hile he had a few moments in her arms several years before, he knew not of her mind other than she lied to him . He didn’t know many women who could defend themselves, or keep themselves alive in the wild—especially a spoiled heiress . Lady Arbella and Lady Aliah were the only women he’d ever met who could hold their own.
    Despite his bruised ego, he couldn’t let Lady Myra just go off alone in the wilds of the Highlands. His stomach soured thinking what could have happened to her already. Especially with an enemy on her tail.
    “I will go and retrieve her,” Daniel said , surprised at the hard tone in his own voice .
    “N ay !” Rose shouted, her wide eyes connecting with his. She looked like a feral animal, ready to pounce on him, save for the unsteadiness of her legs. “You canna. Byron died giving her the message. She must be allowed to deliver it.”
    “Has she any men with her?” Magnus asked.
    “Aye. Two dozen,” Rose said quickly before falling into another fit of tears.
    Well at least the Munro woman was protected. If she hadn’t been he would have insisted, message or no. In any case, he’d keep an eye out for her . S oon he’d cut off toward Eilean Donan and who knew where she was headed.
    “Come, let me attend to you,” Arbella said to Rose .
    “Nay, wife, I must speak with her regarding the attack , ” Magnus interjected.
    Daniel and Blane both nodded their agreement. An attack on an ally meant an attack could be forthcoming.
    Arbella sent Magnus a frown that Daniel had witnessed on more than one occasion—it meant she would get her way. He did not want to be caught in the middle of it. He started toward the main door .
    “I will let you speak to her after I’ve cleaned her up and gotten her something to eat. I’d hope for nothing less if I were in her shoes. She is with child.”
    Daniel stopped, a sick sense of curiosity making him turn to see how Magnus reacted. He would enjoy ribbing his cousin later over this. The last statement seemed to be what garnered Magnus’ agreement. In fact, it would have gained any man’s, for no man wanted to press matters onto a woman li able to either break into a fit of tears or a rage that could cow a seasoned warrior.
    Daniel hadn’t had much experience with pregnant women other than a few of the servants who did their best to remain emotionless . Arbella was another story, and judging from the fit of t ears and defiance Rose waffled between , he was willing to bet most females were a bit on the mad