Highlander of Mine Read Online Free Page A

but then nudged her way closer. Glancing down at her again, he saw her eyes too wide once more.
    “Can we keep it a secret that I don’t know where I am? Please?”
    He thought of his mother and how she could help what with being a healer. Would she call it that though? Or would Fleur call his mother a nurse, like the English would? Mayhap he could find a way for Fleur to trust him first, then he’d tell his ma of the woman’s bizarre condition—not knowing the date.
    He didn’t believe in fairy tales, women being flung through time. He didn’t believe in much any more. But something was wrong with the woman in his grasp, and he knew the men approaching wouldn’t be of much help other than sensationalizing her and her problem. They’d ask questions. Which meant he’d have to circumnavigate their natural curiosity. More than likely lying would be for the best, to assuage the young troops’ interest. However, he was an atrocious liar.
    But her pleading eyes gave him the wherewithal to give fabricating a try.
    He nodded reluctantly. She shocked him with a wide smile aimed right at him. Nay, he wasn’t surprised by her grin. It was the way her smile made him feel, as though completely dazed. Wonderfully bemused in an off-kilter kind of way. Lord.
     

 
     
    Chapter 3
     
    R ory MacKay couldn’t believe his eyes. His men, little more than bairns, were slower than ol’ man Duncan. Although Duncan was only seven years his senior, the man had a quiet way of introspection that reminded him of grandfathers. Rory hated to admit it, but he admired Duncan for his wise ways.
    Riding one of his latest imports from Spain, a legendary golden steed, along the worn Lairg road, Rory occasionally called out to his recruits, encouraging them to catch up with Duncan. The massive man was only a few hundred yards off now. That’s when he saw Duncan’s large, powerful body shielding something, something he held onto. A woman.
    Pushing his heels into his horse’s side, Rory’s steed began to trot, helping him gain a better view of the young miss. At first, all he could make out was black. Then he realized it was dark hair waving from the sea wind, blowing outside Duncan’s wet frame. The huge man’s usually bright red hair was darkened and dripping. Why was the man soaking wet? It didn’t matter, for the woman’s tresses distracted Rory. Hair such a deep shade that for a moment it seemed to reflect all colors, especially red. Finally, Rory could see beyond the burly Duncan to what he held. The woman was exquisite. At least a foot shorter than Duncan, she looked up at him with huge dark eyes, almost appearing to plead for something. Knowing he felt intimidated by the mercenary, Rory wondered if the poor lady was begging for her life.
    “Duncan!” he yelled with all the authority he could muster. He detested how his voice wasn’t as deep as he wanted it to be. In fact, it cracked a tad when addressing the man. Lord, but Duncan was daunting. And he hated to admit that too.
    Duncan didn’t turn immediately. Slowly, however, he did, ensuring the woman stayed behind his too-large form.
    He bowed his head. “Nice to see ye caught up, Captain.”
    Rory felt his eye twitch at the comment, but held his temper in check. “What have ye there?”
    Duncan took a mighty breath, then stood to the side. “May I present Lady Fleur Anpao. She is visiting from the...American colonies. She is...here at my mother’s request. As an...ambassador, of sorts, to confirm my brothers’ whereabouts.”
    That was the most Rory had heard Duncan speak. Ever. And the manner in which he’d spoken made Rory wonder if Duncan believed any of what he’d just said.
    Granted, Rory hearkened back to Duncan’s brothers, shipped off to the colonies, but had never heard the man himself retell the events. Everyone well knew of the Highlander soldiers sold to the rich American farmers, due to Cromwell’s unholy reign. It was damned good to finally have an