Highlander of Mine Read Online Free Page B

ambassador here to confirm where some of the men had landed in the colonies. Interesting that she was a—well, she was a she, and might she be an Indian? Dealing with the English, albeit the American English, was a trial. Hence, it was better if she were an Indian. Besides, he’d heard tales of many of the indentured Highlanders running away to the tribes.
    Rory jumped from his ride in a polished fashion and walked with the horse toward the dark beauty who seemed to shuffle closer to Duncan, her eyes wide, fearful. He didn’t recognize her surname, but her first was obviously French.
    He bowed low before her. “C'est un plaisir de vous rencontrer, ma dame. Comment puis-je vous aider?”
    She blinked rapidly for a moment and performed a small curtsy while extending her hand. “I’m sorry. My French is rusty. Nonexistent actually.”
    Well, he didn’t like speaking French anyway. He kept holding her hand while he said, “It is an honor to meet you, my lady. How may I be of service to you?” Then he kissed one of her delicate knuckles and thought he heard Duncan give a small growl of disapproval. Good, let the brute get jealous.
    Tugging, she pulled her hand away and swallowed. However, her gaze was glued to him. He smiled, hoping to God she liked what she saw. Lord, but her garb was odd though. From her shiny black trews to her outlandish—what were they called?—moccasins. Stripes of bright greens and blues leather swirled and were tied with white ribbons over her dainty feet. But his gaze ran back to her black trousers, since they fitted such long, long legs. Her roomy black coat-like garment, though, stopped his inspection of her derrière and hips. Too bad. Although, they looked promising as well. She was a bit on the thin side, a bit muscular—pedestrian, but on her it was lovely somehow.
    “Lady Anpao.” Duncan interrupted Rory’s thoughts. “I’d like ye to meet my captain, Rory MacKay. Brother to the MacKay, Laird Reay.”
    The pretty wee lady blinked rapidly. She didn’t look impressed, and Lord, how that excited Rory. Granted, he liked admiration as much as the next man, but to be given esteem as a mere extension of his older brother rather than what he had done to earn it, well, Rory wasn’t fond of that idea.
    “Nice to meet you.”
    She didn’t gush or pump him full of compliments. And it was beyond refreshing. It was a challenge. Rory longed to earn the lady’s admiration. He smiled again, which brought another quiet growl from Duncan. Rory wanted to laugh at that.
    “How may I assist you, my lady?” Rory asked again.
    Fleur then broke his heart by looking to Duncan. Her dark eyes sparkled with something. Trepidation? Intimidation? What was that?
    Duncan sighed again, but then smiled quickly down at the lady. A smile? Rory was sure that was the first he’d ever seen Duncan perform the feat.
    “Begging yer pardon, my lady. But excuse my captain and me for a moment, please.”
    Hesitatingly, she nodded. “I’ll go stand by the—what’s this called again?” She waved a hand out to the bay.
    “Geodha Smoo,” Duncan said quietly, almost reverently. And before Rory could.
    The lady repeated what she’d heard as she headed toward the geodha, but mangled the word horribly. She tried again, which sounded fairly descent, and Rory smiled once more.
    He looked up, suddenly aware that Duncan was very close. The hulk lowered his head and voice. “I’m afraid she’s been the victim of a robbery. She doesn’ remember much, but her things were taken. Must have been a mosstroooper.”
    Rory’s gaze flashed back to the dark lady, standing close to the lapping bay. His heart reached out to her. “Her things have been stolen, ye say?”
    “I believe so, aye.”
    “Is she hurt? I can’t believe she’s traveled this far and had such a horrible thing happen to her. But look how strong she is.”
    Duncan didn’t acknowledge most of what Rory had said but narrowed his eyes as he looked away. “I