The Magnificent Rogue Read Online Free PDF

not go running to Philip with the girl. You’re of noble blood and warrior stock. You have no bonds to anyone but your Highlanders and show no ambition to climb higher than you are in the world.”
    “Because there is no place higher to climb than to be lord of Craighdhu.”
    He meant it. The simple words were spoken with absolute sincerity and authority. She had seen rulers of nations who did not exude that air of power.
    “Nonsense. But it suits me to have you believe that arrogant folderol. As long as you cling to that notion, you will not use the child to try to seize a crown.” She frowned. “But you must stop raiding Philip’s ships.”
    “Indeed? But I may continue to raid yours?”
    “I believed you when you said that you did that just to prick at James, but you must not indulge in such mischief again. I won’t have you killed on the seas when you should be at Craighdhu protecting the girl. You must keep her safe.”
    “I could see how my death could be inconvenient to you,” he said ironically. “I regret to refuse you, but I have no desire to become embroiled in your plots, and certainly no desire to wed.”
    “You must wed sometime.”
    He shrugged. “When I do, it will be with someone who can bring something to Craighdhu besides bloodshed.”
    “You’ve not shown any reluctance to shed blood in the past.”
    “But it’s an oddity of mine that I prefer to choose when and where I fight.” He met her gaze. “And it won’t be in your cause, Your Majesty.”
    “Nor in James’s, evidently. What will you fight for?”
    “Craighdhu,” he said simply. “Only Craighdhu.”
    “Good,” she said. It was the answer for which she had hoped. “Then if the girl is at Craighdhu, she will be secure.”
    “Perhaps I’m not making myself clear. I will not wed the girl.”
    “You
will
wed her.” She paused. “Or I will take your henchman out and hang him and then have his body dismembered into so many pieces, there will not be anything left to bury in your precious Craighdhu.”
    He went still. “I’ve not heard that Your Majesty is in the habit of killing innocent men to enforce your will.”
    “The girl is innocent too. I will
not
have her caught in a trap because of her birth. I thought her safe for a few more years at Sheffield, but now I cannot …” She stopped. “You must take her away at once. I will have your word on it.”
    “You expect me to keep a vow forced on me?”
    “You will keep it. Percy tells me a Highlander’s vow is sacred. You will give me your word to wed her and take her to Craighdhu.”
    He was silent.
    “Do not make me prove I mean what I say. I have no desire to kill your clansman. There is too much death in the air right now,” she added wearily.
    He still did not speak, his gaze searching her expression for any sign of weakness. She showed him none.
    He muttered a curse and then said between his teeth, “You have my vow.”
    “That’s not enough. Give me the words.”
    He said with icy precision, “I promise to wed the girl and take her to Craighdhu.”
    Relief flowed through her. It was done. “Very sensible. You will be released at dawn and given back your purse and horses. You will go directly to Sheffield, where the girl resides in a cottage a few miles from the village. She’s cared for by the vicar and his good wife.Sebastian Landfield is a godly man and has devoted the last thirteen years to her well-being. Percy will give you a letter I’ve written bidding the vicar give you custody of the girl. She will be no trouble. The vicar assures me she is presentable and has been raised to be a loyal Protestant and a meek, virtuous maiden.” She moved toward the door. “You’ve made a wise decision, my lord.”
    “I didn’t make it, you did. I prefer to make my own choices.” He rose slowly to his feet. “And when I don’t, it makes me … annoyed.”
    He was more than annoyed. He was in a cold rage, and she again felt that intriguing thrill of