Kill or Be Kilt Read Online Free Page B

sit?” he asked in a gentle voice. He didn’t mean to cause her more pain. When she hesitated and couldn’t meet his eyes again, he decided he wasn’t giving her the opportunity to retreat. Leaning slightly forward, Ian lengthened his plaid from the back of his kilt and spread it on the ground beside him. “I may bark, but I give ye my word that I will nae bite ye. If ye can nae sleep, sit.” He patted his hand on the plaid.
    â€œThank you, Laird Munro.” Elizabeth lowered herself to the ground and fixed her skirts.
    â€œMy apologies ye’re distraught this eve. As I told ye before, Mildmay was a good man.”
    She turned her head to the side, using her hand to shield her eyes from him. He had a feeling she was guarding her tears, especially when her voice became unsteady. “One would think I’d be able to cope with death by now—Mother, Father, Uncle Walter.”
    â€œâ€™Tis foolish to think anyone can prepare for losing someone, especially when ’tis unexpected. But if I were ye, I’d be more distraught over having to ride with Lady Grace the entire way to England.”
    A laugh escaped her. “Are you attempting to make me feel better?”
    Ian shrugged. “I donna know. Is it working?”
    â€œPerhaps.”
    The firelight cast Elizabeth in an angelic glow, and her smile warmed him in the cool night air.
    â€œIt’s so peaceful and quiet out here at night.”
    â€œYe have noticed Lady Grace is sleeping, eh?”
    â€œThere is truth to that.” She hesitated. “It will be good to be home again, even under unpleasant circumstances.”
    â€œYe donna favor living in the Highlands?”
    â€œI didn’t mean to offend you. Scotland is beautiful, and I enjoy Ruairi’s home very much.”
    He lifted a brow. “’Tis your home too.”
    â€œOf course.”
    * * *
    Elizabeth wasn’t about to tell Ian that her brother-in-law’s castle never quite felt like home. There was only one location where she’d spent countless hours with her mother and father under the same roof, and that was where she grew up. That was the place that was truly home. She hadn’t intended for the conversation to become awkward and decided to change the subject.
    â€œMay I ask you something?”
    â€œAye.”
    â€œWhy isn’t the captain of your guard traveling with us…with you?”
    He chuckled in response. “He stays behind with my men to guard Munro lands in my absence. I can nae leave my clan and lands unprotected.”
    â€œI understand, but what about your safety?”
    â€œNow lass, ye would nae be questioning my prowess on the battlefield, would ye?” When she took a sharp intake of breath, he smiled, and she realized he was jesting. “Many men will nae approach or engage me because of my looks. Ye witnessed that nae long ago with the Sutherland guard. Sometimes being nae fair of face has its advantages.”
    â€œI believe true beauty comes from within, and I don’t think men stay away from you because you think you are not a comely man. I’m certain their behavior has more to do with the fact that you’re the size of a mountain.” Brushing her skirts, Elizabeth wiped off imaginary dirt. “How many days will you be staying with us before you and my brothers-in-law attend court?”
    â€œI donna know. It depends on when we arrive, a few days mayhap.”
    â€œHave you been to court before?”
    â€œAye, more times than I care to count.” There was strong censure in his tone.
    â€œI’ve never had the chance. Grace attended a few times, and then we moved to Scotland.”
    â€œYe’re nae missing anything. In truth, ’tis nay place for a young lass.”
    â€œThen I guess I’m in luck because I’m eighteen now.” When a questioning expression crossed his face, she quickly rose. She wasn’t certain what