Kill or Be Kilt Read Online Free

For one absurd moment, he contemplated what it would be like to have the lass by his side.
    When the realization washed over him of the price he would pay for being involved with a Walsingham, his priorities were once again set to path. Becoming entangled with one sister meant you got them all—willing or not—and he was not as daft as his best friends to take on such challenges. Furthermore, it wasn’t as if Elizabeth still wanted anything to do with him. The lass could barely stand to be held in his arms when he’d offered her comfort for the loss of her uncle, and as a result, she still couldn’t look him in the eye.
    â€œThese are the last two.” Fagan dropped the reins of the mounts as the animals drank from the stream. He pulled out his flask and handed it to Ian.
    The fiery liquid burned Ian’s throat. He paused, and then took another drink. “ Mòran taing .” Thank you very much. He gave the flask back to Fagan and lifted a brow when his friend took an even longer swig.
    â€œI think this is going to be a long journey.” Fagan glanced around, lowering his voice. “The women—”
    â€œI dare you to finish that sentence, Husband.”
    Grace stood there with her oval face pointed daintily in the air. Her brownish-gold hair was pulled up on the top of her head, and she wore a green traveling dress. Although all the Walsingham sisters were beautiful, this particular temptress had a bite that could bring a man to his knees. She was nothing but trouble.
    Fagan’s eyes widened. “I was only going to say if nae for the women accompanying us, the trip to London would nae be as pleasurable.”
    When the lass folded her arms over her chest and cast a look of death upon her husband, Ian led the horses away and murmured, “Good luck, my friend.”
    â€œCoward,” said Fagan with a scowl.
    Ian fled the scene of the battle before it had even begun. He was far from a coward, but there was no way in hell he was going to stick around for that confrontation. There were several reasons why he was not wed. And right now, he savored every one.
    * * *
    Elizabeth settled back into the seat of the carriage as Mary rested her little head on her chest. She was so soft, warm, and tiny. Elizabeth covered her niece with a blanket and kissed the top of her curls. Mary’s breathing was slow, and she was now in a peaceful slumber like her mother, who sat across from them.
    As Elizabeth brushed her finger gently over her niece’s cheek, she was filled with a sense of longing. She wanted to be a mother some day and thought she might be a good one. But that couldn’t happen without a husband first, and her options were quite limited in the Scottish Highlands.
    â€œYou’re so good with her,” said Ravenna.
    â€œI thought you were sleeping.”
    Ravenna sat up and stretched her back. “You’ll learn there’s no such thing when you have a child of your own.” She reached out and patted Elizabeth on the knee. “I don’t think we’re going to make it to the inn this eve. We should be stopping soon.” She nudged Grace in the arm. “I know I shouldn’t ask, but why are you so quiet?”
    â€œI’ve been thinking about Uncle Walter. He’s always been so good to us. And poor Aunt Mary… I wish we could’ve been there for the funeral.”
    â€œI do too, but they couldn’t hold his body for weeks until our arriv—”
    Grace held up her hand. “You don’t need to explain.”
    â€œI’m certain Aunt Mary will be all right. She knew when we moved to the Highlands that we would be far from home—England,” said Elizabeth. “But I can’t help thinking about Uncle Walter too. We’re all we have left.”
    Grace placed her hand over Elizabeth’s. “We’ll always be a family, and now we have Fagan, Ruairi, and Torquil too.”
    She understood