Kilts and Kisses Read Online Free Page A

but he knew the answer to another.
    She’d set foot on his enemy’s lands.

CHAPTER THREE
    T he wind whipped through her hair. A branch slapped her in the face. A thorn scratched her leg, and yet Ceana didn’t slow her horse. She needed to place as much distance between herself and that man as she could. Uncle John would serve her head on a platter if she was caught trespassing on MacKay lands. She turned her head over her shoulder, praying she wasn’t being followed.
    Who knew what had drawn her to the standing stones in the first place, but she wouldn’t make that mistake again. She’d always remained on Gunn property around the loch. But her father’s lands were becoming far too crowded with Sorcha’s admirers of late. She needed a change of venue to escape the chaos inside and out. When her mind wandered back to the guard who caught her where she wasn’t supposed to be, she shuddered. Thank God she was able to talk him into letting her leave of her own free will.
    The MacKay guard was an imposing man, especially with the large broadsword that was sheathed at his waist. She could barely remember his features because her only thought at the time was escape. But she did notice that he wore a blue, green, and black kilt and had leather straps on his shoulders and forearms. He was battle ready. She tried to keep that in the back of her mind because the next time she saw the tartan, she’d be sure to flee. Not that there would be a next time, but perhaps his companions wouldn’t be as kind.
    Ceana slowed her pace when she cleared the trees. For once, her home was a welcome sight. She suddenly longed for the security of the stone walls, even with mad Aunt Marta and haughty Sorcha. In a way, her experience with the MacKay guard had both thrilled her and frightened her. She wasn’t sure how that was possible.
    As soon as she entered the bailey, Anna walked hurriedly toward her.
    “Ceana, make haste.”
    “What has happened?” She dismounted, handing the reins to the stable hand. She knew her short-lived adventure was over because she was instantly thrown back into her disorderly life.
    “Come with me, and we’ll kill her together.”
    Ceana followed Anna through the great hall. Seeing the servants readying the midday meal, Ceana prayed that the food on the tables wasn’t for another one of her cousin’s suitors. As the sisters climbed the stairs to their private rooms, Anna spoke over her shoulder.
    “‘Tis Sorcha. She ransacked your bedchamber searching for one of her dresses. She’s mad. She thinks ye took her gown because ye admired it.”
    When they reached Ceana’s room, they found Aunt Marta standing in the hall in front of the door. Their aunt began to shake when she saw Ceana. “But if ye donna do what is right, sin is crouching at your door. It desires to have ye, but ye must master it.”
    Ceana placed her hand on her aunt’s shoulder. “I’m afraid the only sin crouching at my door, Aunt Marta, is your daughter. I havenae taken anything of Sorcha’s.” Ceana entered her chamber and bit down hard on her lower lip to control her anger.
    “Where is it? What have ye done?” Sorcha whipped the dress that she held to the floor and stormed toward Ceana, closing the distance between them. “Where is my gown?”
    “What gown?”
    “The one that I wore last eve. The one ye admired.”
    Anna flanked Ceana, her face a glowering mask of rage. “Leave her alone, Sorcha! She doesnae have it! Tha sin gu leòr !” That is enough!
    “I donna have your dress, nor would I want it.” Ceana stepped around her pampered cousin and gazed at her once well-kept room. All the clothes from her trunk were scattered about. The blankets from the bed, including her mother’s golden embroidered coverlet, lay in a heap on the floor, and the edge of Ceana’s journal stuck out from under the feather mattress. But when she spotted her mother’s pendant, which had been thrown across the room with complete callousness,