In the Kingdom's Name (Guardian of Scotland Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

Lord, his strength felt so secure, she never wanted him to release her. “Och, Eva. Ye ken I’ll protect ye, no matter what.”
    She buried her face against him and hid in the comfort of two arms hardened by years of training and battle. The reassurance William imparted calmed her thundering heart. But every time she closed her eyes, all she saw was blood and the face of that monster who pulled her from her horse.
    “There, there, lass. ’Tis over now.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “I could have killed a hundred brigands when I saw that bastard touch ye.”
    A shudder rippled through Eva’s body. “I feel so safe with your arms around me. I want to stay like this forever.”
    “Jesu, I hate thinking about leaving ye alone. I must ensure ye are safe behind the fortress walls of Dirleton Castle. There ye’ll have an army of men and six foot thick stone walls to protect ye from the vile swine.”
    He dipped his chin and kissed her cheek, his gaze connecting with hers, binding them together. Warm breath caressed her face as his mouth parted. Those intense blue eyes watched her while he sealed his lips over hers, taking possession of her mouth. There, alone in the forest, their spirits joined—two souls drawn together regardless of impossible odds.
    She squeezed her eyes closed and inhaled his spicy masculine scent. “Promise to hold me forever.” The words escaped Eva’s lips before she had a chance to catch herself. But she didn’t care. Not now. Not when her every nerve ending trembled.
    “Ye have my sword, m’lady. On that I make my solemn vow.” He loosened his grasp and placed his large palm in the small of her back. “Now come. We must haste to Dirleton. I’ll cradle ye in my arms through the duration of our journey.”
    She looked up to his stern countenance and grinned. “As long as I don’t have to ride face down draped across your horse’s withers.”
    His eyes sparkled with warmth. “I have to admit there wasna verra much time to set ye to rights.” Then a deep chortle rumbled from his chest as a sly grin stretched his lips.
    “What?”
    He waggled his brows. “I rather enjoyed the view.”
    Eva thwacked his shoulder. “Oh, please.”
    With a shrug, he bent down to give her a leg up. “I canna help it if I’m a man.”
    She bent her knee and allowed him to hoist her into the saddle. “Right, all men running for their lives gape at the woman’s butt in their face while they’re crashing through the forest.”
    “Butt?”
    “Bum, buttocks, rear end…whatever you want to call it.”
    A subtle snort trumpeted through his nose. “Will ye never cease to come up with odd twists of phrase?”
    “I suppose, but what do you expect? I’m called to the carpet for my odd speech all the time.”
    He mounted behind her and situated the reins in his hands. “I reckon I like it. Every now and again, ye come at me with a word that almost makes me laugh.”
    Shifting her hips to find a comfortable position, she asked, “Why almost?” Eva dearly loved to hear him laugh.
    “I expect it hasna been easy to draw a laugh from me these past months.”
    Nor will it . Again Eva shuddered. She hated knowing. Clenching her fists until her fingernails dug into her palms, she steeled her resolve. Live for the now, you dolt .
    William nuzzled into her temple and slid one arm around her waist, drawing her snuggly against his chest. “Ye ken I’d die defending ye, mon amour .”
    “And I promise there will never be a need for that.” No, no, no. I mustn’t ever again be the reason for William to fight.
    She closed her eyes and with an exhale, forced herself to relax into him. God, to think she’d been yanked from her mount trying to get her old horse to move fast. Horses were so damned unpredictable. “I think I need horseback riding lessons.”
    “Too right.” William’s belly shook with his chuckle—not a laugh, but close. “I kent ye were no horsewoman the first time I tossed ye on the