The Highlander's Outlaw Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

slid a bit to the side.
    “Be still,” he growled, jerking her back against him. The contact of her lush body against his sent shock waves through him, and he swore under his breath. He had only himself to blame for the mess he was in. He’d rescued the lass from drowning and was fairly sure he regretted his actions. Though she refused to give him her name, something drew him to her, mocking his decision and taunting his self-control. Her scent, the feel of her swaying against him with each step Embarr took, even her persistence was driving him to the brink of madness.
    He’d tried hard to deny bringing her along with them was for his benefit as much as her own, but the truth was, he simply did not want to let her go, and damned if he knew why.
    “We would take you to your home if you would but give us direction, cherie ,” Bray observed. His voice sounded kind, but his attitude bordered on exasperation.
    “She has pointed us in nearly every direction on the compass,” Conn grumbled, shifting his weight once more as the lass again swiveled in the saddle.
    “I think I am quite lost,” she informed him. Her pert smile did not quite conceal the dark shadow of uneasiness. What was she hiding?
    “May I get down?”
    The question jolted him from his thoughts and he pulled Embarr to a stop. Grabbing the girl around her waist, he lowered her slowly to the ground, feeling her stiffen as her injured ankle took her weight. Straightening, she walked with pained hesitation deeper into the woods.
    “Why do you not speak with la mademoiselle ?” Bray asked. “She is charming and delightfully well-informed.”
    Conn scrunched his face into heavy thought, refusing to let Bray see how much he enjoyed listening to the lass’ comments. It was better to keep a distance between them—for her sake, of course. “She doesnae matter to me past her safety. I dinnae need to know more about her than where her home lies.”
    Bray hooted with laughter. “You are disgruntled that she will not give you her name, and mayhap even resentful she speaks more freely with me.”
    Flashing Bray a sneer of contempt for his assessment, Conn grunted, “See if ye can drag her name from her if ye wish.” He shrugged. “I care not.”
    “Do you think she will run?” Bray’s voice was casual as he turned his attention to the spot where the girl had left the trail.
    “She willnae get far on that ankle. I will give her a few moments and see if she comes back on her own. It willnae be hard to catch up to her if she doesnae.”
    Gillis groused his own opinion. “Why is she with us? She has my best shirt.”
    Conn ignored the complaint. Personally, he rather liked the way the thin fabric slid across her full breasts. He’d certainly never spared the garment a second glance when Gillis wore it.
    “Because our laird is unwilling to turn the girl loose to her own ends,” Bray answered, his voice mocking.
    Conn shot the man a look of irritation. “She isnae capable of taking care of herself. Since I first laid eyes on her, she has been trouble.”
    “ In trouble, or just trouble, mon ami ?”
    Conn winced. “Both.” He abandoned the conversation, searching through the trees for a glimpse of silver blond hair. Leaves swayed gently in a breeze, but he saw no sign of his faerie princess.
    “ Shite .” Nudging his horse forward with his heels, Conn reined him off the trail into the brush. He swatted slender limbs aside, ducking their whip-like recoil as Embarr made his way through the trees. Ahead, dappled light glinted brightly, the sight gone in an instant. Conn peered at the spot, holding his stallion in place. Several yards away, a limb swayed, dipped. A low gasp reached his ears and he urged Embarr forward.
    The lass shot him a murderous look from her undignified sprawl on the ground. A long, narrow scratch raked her cheekbone and a hank of her glistening hair snarled on a branch.
    “Going somewhere?” He swung down from his saddle, towering