The Warrior Bride Read Online Free PDF Page A

Lachlan would have thought was impossible to awaken from such impenetrable stoicism. “You shall return to Isobel’s castle.”
    “Nay, I- ” He paused. “Isobel’s castle?”
    There was a momentary silence. “To Evermyst, or wherever you choose to go,” she said.
    “Why do you refer to it as Isobel’s?”
    “You will leave!” she ordered, but Lachlan barely heard her.
    “Anora was lady of the keep long before Bel came along. She was raised there as the only child of the old laird and lady. None knew she had a twin until a few months hence.”
    She said nothing. He took a step toward her, though she raised her sword in defiance.
    “Did you know her? Had you met maid Isobel before she found her way to Evermyst?”
    “Mayhap you do not realize this,” she said, her words measured, “but I do not wish to discuss this subject or any other with the likes of you. Nor do I-”
    “Who are you?” he asked. She said nothing.
    “How do you know me sisters by law? I’d not seen you at Evermyst but at Gilmour’s marriage to Bel.”
    “I am called the warrior,” she said. “Hunter if you must, and no one to be trifled with.”
    Trifled with. The phrase brought to mind an entirely different meaning than it would have if she’d said the same thing yesterday. Breasts! Glory be!
    “So you came to Evermyst during the battle. But how did you know we were in need, and why did you save me? And-” A thought came to him suddenly. “The warrior…” His voice was little more than a whisper. “The warrior at Dun Ard long months ago. When we first found Lady Anora. That was you.”
    She neither denied nor confirmed.
    “‘Twas you who was following the lass. ‘Twas you on MacGowan land. You who caused her fall from her palfrey.”
    For a moment the world went silent, then, “I will have your vow, MacGowan, or I will have your life.”
    “But what of your rule not to wound the very man you saved?”
    It seemed a logical point to him and not one to justify the growl that issued from the maid.
    “Quiet!”
    “You would break your own rule?” he asked. It didn’t seem strange to him that his tone was naught but conversational. He and his brothers had engaged in many such debates while they caught their breath before battling again. “You would break your own rule just to keep your secret safe? Not to mention the fact that I would be dead and-”
    “I would slay you just because you irritate me!” she snarled.
    “Why- ”
    “So you should not irritate me!” she said, her voice rising.
    He didn’t mean to grin. “In truth, me lady,” he said. “I irritate-”
    “Do you always prattle so? Give me your vow and be gone.”
    “I cannot,” he said.
    Sweeping back her sword, Hunter lunged toward him, and in the same moment Lachlan titled his head back. Her blade swept past him, missing his throat by a breath.
    Silence fell over them and then she turned with a snarl and strode into the darkness.
    As for Lachlan, he remained as he was. True, he had not believed she would kill him, but when a sword sweeps past one’s throat, one has time to reconsider his judgment. In fact, in that flashing second, one has time to consider many things.
    Who was she? Why was she dressed as a man? Why had she followed Anora? Why had she come to Evermyst? And… He glanced rapidly about. Where the devil had she gone? Listen as he might, he could hear nothing, and suddenly the idea of losing her caused panic to stir in his gut.
    He employed no stealth as he rushed back to his steed, and though it took him some time to find her, he did so finally. She didn’t turn at his approach. Neither did she acknowledge his presence. Instead, she traveled through the darkness as if he were of no more significance than a bothersome midge.
    They rode for hours until a glimmer of dawn finally lit the eastern sky. Something rustled in the undergrowth. An arrow hissed into the air, and in an instant a hare lay skewered to the earth.
    Lachlan glanced