My Highland Lover Read Online Free

e’er seen in that vile woman?
    “A plump dowry overflowing with cattle, land, and coin.” Tamhas splatted a cold slimy hand on the center of Gray’s back. His bemused chuckle filled the room as he glopped another handful of the muck down Gray’s side. “Yet and still…yer father had t’be one hell of a man or blind wi’ drink t’bed the likes of that woman.”
    “Dammit, man!” Gray stiffened and dug his nails into the wooden plank. A shiver burned deeper through his wounds as gooseflesh rippled across his skin. “Why the hell did ye no’ warn me the dung would be so cold?”
    “Ye nay asked.”
    Gray sucked in a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “And how many times must I tell ye to stay out of m’mind? When I seek yer counsel, I shall speak it. Aloud.”
    “Forgive me, m’chieftain.” Another chilly handful of sliminess followed the apology.
    Gray closed his eyes and bowed his head, forcing himself to relax. Unfortunately, Tamhas spoke the truth. His father’s marriage to Aileas had filled their coffers and stables, and increased the lands of the clan quite nicely. That had to be the only reason his sire would take such an unpleasant woman to wife. Well…the massive dowry and the fact Aileas’s father had been o’erly persistent to gain an alliance with Clan MacKenna. The man’s messengers had plied the keep weekly for his father’s decision regarding a union.
    “If ye had a daughter such as Aileas, would ye no’ pay dearly to be rid of her?”
    Tamhas made a valid point. “Ye canna resist traipsing through m’thoughts, can ye, old man?” Gray relaxed across the length of the bench and allowed his arms to dangle free on either side. He had no idea what was in the nasty mess smeared across his back, but once the initial shock of its chill wore off, it felt damn good. The pain of the burns was gone.
    Tamhas shuffled back to the worktable and set the mortar down. “I hear yer thoughts as clear as m’own because we share a bloodline.” Tamhas paused. His voice softened as he fingered a faded bit of braided hair looped around his neck. “Ye have truly done m’sister proud.”
    Gray swallowed hard against the sudden aching lump threatening to choke off his air. “I wouldha rather saved her life than done her proud.” Gray shifted on the bench and turned his face to the wall. “Pray dinna put more wood on the fire until I leave. I canna stomach the roar of the flames. They hold the sound of
Máthair’s
screams.”
    “Aye, m’chieftain.” Tamhas’s voice had a hollow ring; he cleared his throat with an uneasy cough.
    “Show me the traitor, Tamhas. I want the one who set the fire that took Mother’s life. I want the one who lured Father to his death. I shan’t rest until I hold the traitor’s neck between m’hands.” Gray pushed himself up from the bench and swung around to a seated position. “Ye showed me a monster. A roaring beast with great glowing eyes. Why would ye do such when ye ken I seek to avenge the death of yer sister and the chieftain ye loved enough to call brother?”
    Tamhas stood taller behind the bench, stroking his gnarled fingers through the thickness of his graying beard. Eyes narrowed, his face darkened into a scowl. “I showed ye the key. Ye need nothing more to find the answers ye seek.”
    “Ye showed me nothing. Ye showed me some unholy vision ye might use to scare trespassers away from yer cave!”
    Tamhas slammed the stone mortar atop the table. His words rumbled out in a deep, throaty growl, echoing with barely controlled rage. “I showed ye the only answer yer prepared to see at this time! I would ne’er lead ye astray.” Every bowl, crucible, and pot in the small room shook and rattled on the shelves. Candle flames danced and shivered atop their dripping tapers as though frightened by the power in Tamhas’s voice.
    Gray lunged up from the bench and yanked his plaid off the wooden peg beside the door. “N’more of this foolishness.” He had