Dangerous Read Online Free Page B

stern-faced men approached them.
    Leading the way was a brawny man whose flowing russet hair was streaked with silver. Dressed in trews of dark blue wool, he wore a crisp linen shirt and a length of burgundy and blue plaid across his expansive chest. The golden brooch at his shoulder gleamed in the sunlight. The other man was garbed in much the same way, and their grim expressions showed the strain of a sleepless night. As they drew closer, their faces brightened considerably.
    “Elisabeth!” The older one embraced her warmly, holding her close. “We’ve been searching all night. Where have ye been?”
    “Safely tucked away, Father. I’m sorry to have worried you.” Micah’s reins firmly in hand, she turned to Eric. “Gabriel Redmond, this is Eric Jordanne. He rescued me after we were attacked in the forest.”
    “Attacked? Who’d be daring such a thing?” he demanded in a heavy brogue, dark eyes landing hard on Eric.
    “I’m not certain. Fortune alone set me in your daughter’s path.”
    Gabriel eyed him with a curious expression as they shook hands. “You’re French.”
    “I am.”
    A bolt of apprehension shot up his back, and Eric did his best to appear unconcerned. Since he knew of no other way to speak, his accent would be a hindrance, at best. At worst, it could get him killed.
    “Ten men descended on us,” Elisabeth explained. When her father looked to her, she quietly added, “They killed Gavin and Merrick.”
    “Sweet Mary,” Gabriel murmured, crossing himself. “Good men they were, whatever the task. They deserved better than to be left for the wolves.”
    “They weren’t,” Eric told him. “I hid their bodies so they could be retrieved and buried properly.”
    “Did ye now?” the younger one commented, tilting his head with a wry grin. “That was clever of ye.”
    “Men of courage should be honored when they die.”
    “That they should.” Giving Eric an assessing look, he offered a strong hand. “Christian Redmond. This troublesome bit,” he slipped an arm around Elisabeth’s shoulders, “is my sister.”
    “Don’t be a beast,” she scolded, pushing him away.
    She gave Micah’s reins to a waiting stable boy, and Gabriel tucked her hand protectively into the crook of his arm. They set a quick pace toward the hall, leaving Eric little choice but to follow.
    “Ye look as if ye’ve been brawling,” Christian said as he fell into step beside Eric.
    “We had some trouble south of here. I hope your sister will be safe now that she’s home.”
    “I’ll make certain of it.”
    Eric caught an unmistakable warning in the reply. Though the insult was masked with another careless grin, those hazel eyes snapped with intelligence. Despite his amiable mien, Eric suspected that underestimating the tall Scot would be a grave mistake.
    They stepped into the massive gathering hall, and Eric paused to take in his surroundings. Two arched fireplaces stood opposite one another, with long tables occupying the stone floor between them. Two more tables stretched across the front of the room, level with the others but obviously intended to serve as a place of honor. Behind these hung a banner, its field of deep blue and garnet framing the silhouette of a proud stag stitched in gold. Apparently, Gabriel Redmond was more than his daughter’s simple introduction implied. Even in France, only a nobleman of high rank would be in possession of such a fine holding.
    Maids bustled about preparing for the noontime meal, and the heavenly aroma of roasting goose made Eric’s stomach growl. He’d been keeping to the shadows for so long, he could barely recall the last time he’d eaten at a table, not straight from the fire with his dagger and singed fingers.
    “Elisabeth!” A woman dusted with flour ran over to her, folding her into a hug. “I’ve been praying all night that you’d turn up safe and sound. May all the saints be praised.”
    When the woman held Elisabeth at arm’s length, it was a