Highland Warrior Read Online Free Page B

ordered to cook.
     
    “What are ye about?” Ewan asked Gregor when his brother carefully studied his back as they walked away from Fiona and Simon.
    “Looking for the daggers,” Gregor drawled, and grinned.
    Ewan briefly smiled. “Tis indeed fortunate I found all her knives. I suspect I owe Simon a boon for speaking up so quickly and saving me from a sound thrashing.” He chuckled and felt almost as surprised as Gregor looked.
    “Ye find her looking as if she wants to gut ye amusing?”
    “Aye. Tis a clean, clear anger. Much like a mon’s or a lad’s. I can see it and, I suspicion, soon I will be able to tell what will stir it. That could prove helpful.”
    Gregor nodded. “Ye might be able to get her to spill out a few truths if ye get her into a rage.”
    “That I might. Tis a far better plan than the one ye had,” he added in a soft growl.
    “Seduction is a proven way to pull secrets from a woman,” said Gregor. “If ye havenae the urge to try it, I could—”
    “Nay.” Ewan inwardly grimaced over how quickly and vehemently he had spoken. “We dinnae need any more enemies, and I think we will gain some if she is used ere she is ransomed.” Ewan decided that sounded very reasonable and stoutly ignored his brother’s look of amusement.
    “So be it. Shall I secure her for the night? Nay sure how to do so, but ’tis needed, I believe. I suspicion that lass could cause us a great deal of trouble if she put her mind to it.”
    Ewan cursed softly as he turned to look at Fiona. Gregor was right. She needed to be secured in some way. It would not be that difficult to alter the guard schedule he had arranged, ensuring that she was watched closely throughout the night. To his dismay, he could not bring himself to enact that very sensible plan. He did not like the thought of any man remaining so close to Fiona as she slept, or having the opportunity to gain her interest.
    Utter madness, he thought crossly. And a weakness that could easily bring him a great deal of grief. If he were back at Scarglas, there would be places he could go, work he could do, in an attempt to put her out of sight and mind. There was no place to hide here.
    He sighed, accepting his own contrariness. He did not want another man too close to her for too long, so he would have to be the one to guard her during the night. It could answer a few questions, such as just how great a weakness he suffered and how difficult it would be to fight the attraction he felt for her. It could also prove to be a very long, sleepless night.
    “I will guard her,” he said. “The night guard has already been arranged. Tis easier to just leave it as it stands. I just need a wee bit of rope.”
    “Rope?” Gregor asked as he followed Ewan to where their supplies were. “Ye plan to tie her up?”
    “That would be the better plan, but nay. If naught else, I wouldnae wish to try and explain to the men why a mon of my size feels the need to tie up such a wee lass just sothat he can sleep. I will just leash her to me so that she cannae slip away in the night.”
    Without another word to Gregor, Ewan walked toward Fiona, who was just finishing the chore of cleaning up after the meal. Her lovely eyes widened at the sight of the rope he held, then narrowed. Before she could retreat, however, he caught both her slender wrists in the grip of one hand. He saw her leg tense as she slowly drew it back.
    “I willnae be pleased if ye kick me, lass,” he drawled as he dragged her toward the spot where Gregor hastened to spread out a blanket for them to sleep upon.
    “Weel, that would certainly keep me weeping for most of the night,” Fiona said, giving up her futile attempts to free her wrists. The man’s grasp was not really painful, but it was unbreakable. “Just what do ye plan to do with that rope?”
    Ewan did not reply. He secured one end of the rope around her wrists and the other end to one of his own wrists. After checking that the bonds were secure, he