My Highland Love: Highland Lords Series Read Online Free

caught him off guard. What was
an American woman doing on MacGregor land, and how had she come to
know Tavis and Bonnie well enough to track them through the woods?
Hot fury shot through him. The little fool. Had the wrong man come
upon her, she might well have ended up like Katie.
    The majestic heights of Brahan Seer's west
tower abruptly loomed in the distance. Marcus's steed unexpectedly
faltered, then steadied. The woman tensed and Marcus's body pulsed.
He closed his eyes, breathed deep of her hair, then looked again at
the tower. For the first time in his life, he regretted the sight.
His ride with her cradled in his arms would soon end.
    Higher they climbed, until Brahan Seer's
walls became visible. The gates were open. At their approach, his
captain Daniel hailed from the battlements. Marcus nodded as they
rode through the entry. Inside the courtyard, he halted and Daniel
appeared at his side.
    "Elise," he addressed the woman, surprise
apparent on his features. He glanced at the children, his gaze
lingering on Bonnie. His mouth tightened. "Mayhap Marcus can take a
hand with you, Tavis. Get along, and take your sister. Your mother
will be worried."
    Marcus handed Elise down to him. Before
Marcus's feet touched the ground, she had started toward the
castle. He dismounted and clasped Daniel's hand while watching from
the corner of his eye the sway of her cloak about her hips as she
answered a welcoming smile from two of his men headed toward the
stables.
    "What were they doing out alone?" Marcus
demanded of Daniel.
    "I've ordered the boy not to go wandering the
woods," he replied.
    "And Bonnie?"
    "This is the first. I imagine she chased
after her brother."
    Elise turned the corner around the castle and
Marcus cut his gaze onto her the instant before she disappeared.
Lust shot to the surface and tightened his shaft, but he turned
back to Daniel. "Why is Shamus letting his children run wild—never
mind. I'll speak to him. You look well."
    Daniel hesitated, then said, "Chloe is with
child."
    Marcus smiled in genuine pleasure.
"Congratulations, man."
    Daniel smiled, then took the reins as Marcus
turned toward the castle.
    Through the busy courtyard, he answered
greetings, but his thoughts remained on the image of Elise as she
vanished from sight. She had a forthright, strong quality. Yet—he
bent his head to breathe her lingering scent from his clothes—the
lavender bouquet in her hair was decidedly feminine. It would be
some time before he forgot the feel of her buttocks across his
thighs. But then, perhaps he wouldn't have to. Marcus entered the
great hall to find his father sitting alone in his chair at the
head of the table.
    Cameron brightened. "So, ye decided to come
home?"
    Relaxing warmth rippled through Marcus.
    "Tired of wandering the land?" Cameron made a
wide sweeping gesture.
    "You knew I was on my way, but, aye." He
stopped at the chair to his father's right and lowered himself onto
the seat. "I am pleased to be home."
    "How is my grandson? I see you did not bring
him with you."
    Marcus sighed. "Nay, Father. You knew I
wouldn't."
    Cameron snorted. "We would not want to offend
the mighty Sassenach."
    "Father," Marcus said in a low tone.
    Cameron shook his head. "The clan never asked
you to concede to the English, you know. I never asked for it. Did
you ever wonder if the sacrifice is worth your son?"
    "Aye," Marcus murmured. He'd wondered.
Politics had ruled the MacGregor clan for centuries and that wasn't
easily changed. He paused. "Have I been gone too long, or is
something different about the great hall?"
    "You have the right of it, lad." Eyes that
mirrored his own looked back at him. "More than you can
imagine."
    Marcus looked about the room. "I can't quite
place it. What's happened?"
    Cameron took a long, exaggerated draught of
ale.
    "Cameron."
    "Enough of your looks, lad. They do not work
with me." He chuckled. "I taught them to you. Remember? It is no
mystery, really. Look around. When did you last see