Beneath a Highland Moon (The Highland Moon Series 1) Read Online Free Page A

blood. He'd been stripped of his weapons, but even without them he'd obviously put up a good fight, judging from the many cuts and bruises that each man carried about his face. With a height of almost six feet and a muscular build, if there'd been but one opponent, he most certainly would've come out on top, but with two massive men the size of these, he'd not had much of a chance. His cheeks were bruised above his beard and his right eye almost swollen shut. His long, red hair was matted with blood from a wound to his forehead. Blood from a cut on his right hand dripped from his fingertips. She hurried to his side. "Roderick, you're badly injured. Your wounds must be tended immediately."
    " Nay, m'lady, I'm afraid at the moment we've more important worries than my meager injuries."
    As his words slowly sank in, a chill slithered down her spine. She had to find out what Gordon had on his mind. Jillian already knew that whatever 'twas, it couldn't be good.
    She turned to once again face Gordon. "Since you're here at Lochstorm, I gather you've learned of my father's recent death." Talking about her father, Jillian could hardly keep back the tears. But she could show no weakness in front of this man—and she didn't intend to. Regaining control of her emotions, she continued. "If Angus MacRae were alive today, you'd never have had the courage to walk in here—with or without these men to back you."
    Roderick coughed hard and she glanced over at him. He quickly shook his head and she realized he was afraid she might say too much.
    Gordon crossed his arms, letting his gaze travel slowly over her, lingering far more than a moment on her chest. "I see that you've not only inherited your mother's exquisite beauty, but your father's sharp tongue as well. Since you and not your husband, are the one standing before me, I'm left to assume you're not wed. Of what age are you?"
    Jillian knew that by her age most girls in the Highlands would've been wed for some time, many with several children already around their feet. After her mother had died giving birth to Ian, Jillian had become the only mother he'd ever known. There'd been no more time in her life for romantic notions or thoughts of marriage.
    She looked to be much younger than her actual age and thought about lying to Gordon, but decided that it wouldn't matter to him how young she happened to be. "A score and two years," she answered him.
    He raised an e yebrow. "At your age I'd expect you to have been wed long ago. Are you betrothed?"
    Jillian stiffened. She didn't like the idea of his prying into her affairs—past or present. "Not that 'tis any of your concern, but aye, I was betrothed a few years past. He was killed in a skirmish before we were wed. What do such questions have to do with why you're at Lochstorm?"
    His mouth took on an unpleasant twist . "It has naught to do with my arrival, but I'm beginning to see an added bonus in coming here. You're a strikingly beautiful woman, Jillian. And as I no longer have a wife and you have no husband, mayhap I'll wed you myself."
    Jillian gasped , a icy shiver of panic chilled her at the disturbing thought of what being wed to a man like him would entail.
    " I'd wager you'd do much more for a man than just keep his bed warm," he said, his eyes raking boldly over her. A new wave of lewd remarks and snickering echoed through the room.
    She put her hands on her hips. "I've no interest in marrying you, Gordon MacRae, nor any other man at the moment," she responded sharply. "My interest lies in knowing what reason has brought you here this morn."
    Taking his own time to answer her, he summoned another servant girl, still in her nightcap, to refill his cup with mead. After a couple of long gulps, he wiped his mouth on the back of his hand. He looked at Jillian through narrowed eyes, his former smile replaced with a ruthlessness that caused a cold knot to form in her stomach. "Why, my dear Jillian, it should be quite evident. Your brother