Highland Soldiers: The Betrayal Read Online Free Page A

as muscle.
    “Alex!” Jenny put her hand on his arm. When he turned to face her, she saw something was wrong.
    “Jenny.”
    She continued to smile, but her eyes betrayed her. “Is Duncan with you?”
    “No.”
    Dread drained the color from her face. Her lips formed the beginning of a question. “Steady, lass.” His chilled manner now gone, Alex grasped her upper arm to support her.
    “Are you alright, Jenny?” A concerned Tavish had joined them.
    Jenny said, “Yes, I’m fine. Just a bit overwhelmed.”
    Tavish studied her.
    As Alex released her arm, she said, “Did everyone–is everyone with you?”
    “Come, Jenny,” said Tavish. He turned and took her hand to lead her away as though she were a child.
    Jenny turned back to Alex and whispered, “Where is Duncan?”
    He and Duncan were part of a close group of friends who had grown up together, with Jenny like a sister among them. The men went on to train and fight together.
    Alex took note, not only of Jenny’s hushed agitation, but also of Tavish’s watchful insistence. Alex proceeded to fill Jenny in on the news of their friends. Callum stood nearby with a raven-haired beauty beside him. He was the chief’s son, although for years unacknowledged. He had brought home a wife from the lowlands. Tongues had wagged for weeks over that, but Hughie’s mother, Nellie, assured everyone that Mari was lovely, both inside and out, and that Callum was lucky to have found her. Behind Callum, their friend Charlie turned to embrace one of the many young women who seemed to fall under his charm almost daily. It was hard to fault him for his confidence, when his mere smile made women blush. His coarse sand-colored hair and square jaw made them stare, while his powerful build and bearing made knees weak.
    Impatient, Tavish said, “My parents are waiting.” He tugged her along for a few steps, as Jenny looked back. They had spoken of everyone except Duncan. Tavish stopped. Jenny nearly bumped into him. The next moment, he was talking with someone else. Now distracted, he released Jenny’s hand.
    Jenny took a discreet step toward Alex. “What has happened to Duncan?”
    “Calm yourself, lass.” He eyed Tavish warily.
    With Tavish beside her, Jenny could not explain herself. Alex would not know of her love for Duncan. She and Duncan had hidden their feelings from their friends, for fear the inevitable teasing might ruin what they shared. But as their love deepened and they knew they would marry someday. Jenny had confided in her mother. That had been a mistake. When her father heard of it, he made it clear that nothing would come of it. It was a childhood fancy that would pass. From then on, she and Duncan kept their love secret from everyone.
    Alex cast a level gaze at her frantic eyes and quietly said, “Nothing has happened. He is well.” His eyes flickered toward Tavish, still talking.
    Jenny exhaled and clung to what was left of her composure.
    Alex said, “He took a job on a merchant ship.”
    “He dinnae come home with you?”
    “No.”
    “How long will he be gone?”
    Alex leveled a frank look. “I dinnae think that he’s very eager to come home just yet.”
    Before Jenny could respond, Alex’s sister flew into his arms. His brothers and parents surrounded him, while Tavish led her away toward his parents.
     
    *
     
    The next morning, Tavish was gone, but he promised to return in a week to see Jenny. He did, and he returned every week for a month. Talk of the wedding was relentless. When would Duncan come home? The wedding was one month away.
    She escaped to the woods and the shelter of the yew tree where she and Duncan had spent their last evening together. Over the past year, she had often come here to feel closer to Duncan. Here she could think of him, free of the lie of her betrothal to Tavish. For a year, she had thought about how it would end. Jenny leaned back and gazed up at the sheltering branches, and then shut her eyes to daydream. She had to