His Conquest Read Online Free Page A

Edward’s carnage, a Scot who dared risked all for his beliefs.
    Though dangerous, this man possessed the qualities she’d admired in her father. But neither his qualities nor his similarities to the man she’d looked up to changed the hard fact.
    In the Scot’s mind, she was the enemy.
    How he viewed her mattered little. Once she arrived at her mother’s village in the Highlands, she would be free to live the life she chose.
    Linet’s heart ached as she took in the sturdy walls of stone offering a path to escape. She would miss Breac Castle, the memories made over the years, the laughter shared.
    But not her brother.
    After Fulke’s treachery, he no longer held her respect.
    Or her love.
    Lord Grey shoved forward with predatory intent. “They will search the tunnels for me, will they not?”
    “Eventually,” Linet conceded, staring straight into his suspicious gaze. Once her brother had discovered her absence along with the Scot’s, Fulke would search every nook of the castle for them, including the hidden passageways. “But not because I am in league with the Viscount of Tearlach,” she added, surprised to find it important that the Earl of Grey believed her.
    “No? Then why?”
    As much as she wished to explain, for her safety, she would tell him nothing more.
    At her silence, a smile as cold and dangerous edged his mouth. “You have secrets, my lady, but you have chosen the wrong man to deceive in this game you play. Before our journey is over, I will know each and every one.”
    Tension wove through her. “The only game played is one you conceive within your mind.”
    He grunted. “Should I not find your appearance on the eve before I am to be hanged an unlikely coincidence?”
    “Should you not give thanks that I risked my life to save yours?”
    Eyes alive with suspicion studied her. “You risked your life, but not for my sake.”
    “Perhaps,” she admitted, inwardly shaken to discover that she was no longer motivated solely by her determination to halt her brother’s plans. Despite the meager time she’d spent with this powerful Scottish lord, she was drawn by his strength, his tenacity to fight for what he believed in. She understood why men followed the earl without doubt. And more unnerving, she found herself caring that he lived.
    Around the next turn, candlelight exposed a haphazard pile of rocks that formed a wall. Linet halted. A cave-in. Sweet Mary. Their most direct route to escape was ruined.
    The earl turned to her with an ominous frown. “The tunnel is blocked.”
    “I did not know. I swear it.”
    He studied her for a long moment, glanced toward where the pathway had split several steps back. “Where does the other tunnel lead?”
    “To the cliffs. But the route weaves through the castle and would take hours to travel. With but one candle to guide us, we must choose a shorter route.”
    “And that would be?”
    “We must pass through the stables, sneak past the guards, and enter yet another tunnel that leads to the cliffs.” She paused. “But I caution you, it is a treacherous path.”
    “More treacherous than returning to the dungeon? Nay, I will take the risk.” His hand trembled as he turned, the candle held high.
    She caught the sheen of sweat dripping down his face, the stiffness of his gait. She couldn’t worry about him, nor the feelings he inspired. For each of them, fate held a different path. Never could Seathan represent more than revenge against her brother.
    “I will make it,” he said as if sensing her doubt.
    The edge to his voice warned her not to argue. But determination wouldn’t push muscles exhausted or a mind fevered. With his hand firm around hers, she kept pace as he headed back toward the other tunnel, and prayed they’d make good their escape.
     
     
    The fresh scent of hay infused the cool rush of air as Seathan inched the plank open, the faint tinge of smoke from the extinguished candle fading.
    A horse whinnied, another shifted. Rain