The Highlander's Triumph Read Online Free PDF Page B

with the right amount of believable deceit.”
    Mariana raised a brow, perhaps wondering if he was referring to her current deception. Then again, he had no proof as of yet.
    “Very well.” She bowed her head. “I would be pleased to accept your protection.”
    Now it was Brandon’s turn to raise a brow. He had offered to keep her safe… But to what extent did she think his offer of protection went? To some, protection was an offer of marriage. That was the last bloody thing Brandon was offering, even if the wedding night would bring to fruition her naked length beneath him. Desire fired in his blood, making him feel as though his skin were afire. Her lips were so plush, red, kissable.
    He gritted his teeth. Marriage was not on the table. Now was no time to be thinking about kissing or bedding the woman. She was most likely his enemy, and he wasn’t about to put himself in a compromising and vulnerable position, even if his cock was telling him otherwise.
    “Verra well, my lady, consider yourself under my protection.” He pressed his lips together before he offered for her to be under him completely.
    Brandon hurried to stand, shifting his sporran from the side of his hip over his cock to hide his current state. Her eyes were like pools of seduction. A simple glance and he was ready to drop to his knees and yank her to the ground beneath him.
    She reached out , her sleeve falling back to reveal her arm, long and slender, as she handed him his flask of wine. A wee bit lighter than when he’d passed it to her. Or was it? He was having trouble thinking straight. Lady Mariana was most likely going to be a thorn in his arse until the day they parted ways.
    “Many thanks, Laird Sinclair. I promise you won’t regret it.” She batted her eyelashes, and quirked a seductive smile.
    He grunted. Regret was something he was most certain he’d feel when this was all said and done.

Chapter Four

    M ariana watched Brandon retreat from her presence. He looked disturbed, and she could guess at several reasons why—he felt the attraction that burned a path through her veins, had guessed she was the English king’s mistress, or most likely, he sensed their enemy’s approach.
    His gait was strong, confident, a swagger to his hips that gave character to his powerful form. Broad of shoulder and back, narrow at the hip, Brandon was all brawn. Mariana could do nothing more than stare after him. The wicked thought of seducing him more than just a niggle in her mind. How would she go about it? Sneak into his tent tonight when it appeared all others had fallen sleep? Wait until they arrived at the castle, and then climb naked between his sheets to wait until he came to his bed chamber? Both were bad ideas—she could very well end up in the wrong man’s bed.
    What was she thinking? Seducing Laird Sinclair was not an option. In truth, she had to figure out a way to return to King Edward’s camp, or at the very least locate Ross. She wouldn’t tell them the truth. The fact that she’d met both Sinclair and Wallace would forever remain a secret, trapped forever on her lips. Mariana didn’t have a cruel or evil bone in her body. This was not her war. She might make something up to throw the English and that Scots bastard off their trail. But Edward prized her companionship—he’d not let her simply disappear. Had he not requested her for his mistress upon seeing her in France? Nearly got into a duel over her gracing his bed, too. In fact, the entire debacle had been an embarrassment she’d never live down. In the end, she’d been pleased to leave France so she wouldn’t have to face those who’d witnessed her shame.
    Becoming a mistress to powerful men had never been her choice. She was merely a pawn stuck in a game of chess she’d never be free of. Indeed, King Edward would never let her go. Her charred remains would be searched out, and he knew how resourceful she could be. Mariana was certain that in his gut, Edward would know