The Lady's Protector (Highland Bodyguards #1) Read Online Free

partially finished gatehouse that stood at the southwestern edge of the wall. It was the tallest structure by far, and when it was complete, it would provide a dominant lookout over both land and sea. Perhaps if she climbed to the top, she’d be able to see even more of the North Sea and have one last taste of freedom for the day. None of the laborers worked nearby, which would afford her some privacy as well.
    Straightening her spine, she glided as calmly as possible across the grassy yard and toward the gatehouse. Blessedly, her movement still didn’t draw any attention among the workers. Though her fine garb said otherwise, she preferred not to be noticed. Such was the case ever since—
    Nay . She pushed the thought aside harshly. She would climb the gatehouse tower and look at the sea for a while. That was all. Then she would return to her chamber in the squat tower against the northern wall and busy herself with work on her fine garments, as she always did.
    Gripping her brocade silk skirts, she walked into the stone gatehouse, which still didn’t have a door yet. She crossed to the spiral staircase and began winding her way upward. She passed the landing that opened into an enormous room that would eventually be the keep’s great hall, then climbed higher still past the chambers above that were meant for Lancaster and his family. Her chest pinched, but with practiced willpower she ignored it.
    At last, she reached the top of the gatehouse. Though one day there would be a crenelated parapet atop which guards could keep watch, it had yet to be finished. Instead, the stairs ended abruptly on a smooth stone roof several dozen feet above the yard.
    As she stepped onto the flat roof, the wind whipped her skirts and threatened to unplait her hair. Her eyes landed on the sea, its seemingly endless expanse spreading before her. A jolt of energy surged through her veins. How long had it been since she’d felt so alive, even briefly? Not since John left.
    The pain mingled with the swell of fleeting freedom as she stood atop the gatehouse. Just then, a beam of sun broke through the clouds behind her and fell on her back. The sun held no warmth, but she let its light bathe her. The wind stung her cheeks, cleansing as prayer.
    The rumbling thump of a stone being dropped into place on the wall snapped her attention back to reality once more. The men swarmed at their tasks in the yard below like dutiful insects.
    Her gaze swept beyond the castle walls to the east where the ray of sun had struggled to break through the clouds and fall on her. With another lash of wind, the gap in the clouds closed and the beam of sun winked away.
    A flicker of movement drew her eye to the rolling green hills beneath the gray-purple clouds.
    A rider approached.
    Isolda’s stomach leapt to her throat in an instant, nigh choking her with panic. Could it be another attack? Her fingernails bit into her palms as she clenched her fists.
    The rider drew closer. He bore a sword on his hip, but no armor. So he wasn’t a knight. She squinted, quickly assessing his attire. He wore the simple breeches and tunic of a commoner, yet commoners did not bear swords.
    She took a steadying breath. The last attack had occurred at night, done by a drunken madman. The one before that hadn’t been an attack at all, but merely an accident, or so it had seemed.
    No one would dare attack the Earl of Lancaster’s castle in broad daylight, and especially not with only one man armed with naught but a sword. He was likely just a messenger, or a new laborer brought by the Master Mason. The logic of this realization set her somewhat more at ease, though she still trained her gaze on the lone rider.
    He slowed his bay horse as he approached and guided the animal down the length of the three man-made ponds that ran along the front of the castle. The ponds served as moats of sorts, and when they were complete, the bridges across them could be tightly controlled.
    With no bridges