Highland Tigress (Tiger Series) Read Free Page A

by sleep.

3
     
    The welcoming glow of Westley Keep came into view three days after Liam’s departure from Castle Stewart. Liam had pushed the lads hard to arrive this night, but the hospitality of Laird Kingston would be worth their troubles.
    Liam hadn’t seen Lauchlan Kingston in eighteen years, since before the destruction of Clan McIntosh. He knew he would be welcomed though for he had always allied with Kingston and they had been friendly years before, despite Lauchlan only being human. He was a good man and Liam respected him. He also hoped that Lauchlan would have information about Cara and Eva.
    As they neared the keep a sense of dread settled upon Liam and he knew the Lady Charlotte warned him.
    “Have a care lads,” he warned. “I feel something is amiss here tonight.”
    “Should we not move on then, Liam?” Deaglan spoke quietly. “We need naught of trouble with so few of us.”
    “Nay, Deaglan. I feel we are needed here, but have a care with yer tempers lads. Our wits may be our salvation this night.”
    “Aye, Liam I can feel it too,” Darren spoke. “Feels evil here. Are you sure we will be welcomed?”
    “Aye, the evil does not dwell here. There is something though.” Liam felt the Lady pushing him toward the Keep. Whomever thought Lady Charlotte to be a simple human was a fool. “What are you?” He silently asked only to feel her laughter warm his mind and he heard her voice as if from a great distance.
    “I am many things Liam, but none of which I will share at this time. You must trust me now. She waits for you. Keep your eyes aloft, Liam.” Then her voice faded away.
    “Keep on your guard, lads and we will leave at first light. We will not linger here, but we must enter and find out what we can.” He met Darren’s dark amber eyes and found them glowing almost red in the torch light. Darren nodded and Liam knew that if there was anyone in the keep who had knowledge of Cara or Eva Darren would find them and extricate it.
    The men moved cautiously toward the towering outer gates. They were closed for the night, but they were opened as soon as Lauchlan was summoned. The gates were raised and Lauchlan rushed forward to meet his guests, feeling as if his prayers were answered. He knew that Cara was significant to Liam McNeal and that the mammoth Highlander would see to her safety. He felt the heavy load lift from him as he met Liam’s oddly colored amber eyes. Even knowing Liam for many years did not stop the icy fingers of fear crawling up Lauchlan’s spine at the predatory look in his eyes.
    “What goes on here Lauchlan? There is a foul smell about the place and the feel of evil. What have you gotten into?”
    “Much, I fear Liam. Ye have come to us in a dire time indeed. I am thankful to ye, but we must appear merry. I will explain all in time.”
    Liam was puzzled, but he nodded and handed the reigns of his horse to a lad before he began to follow Lauchlan.
     
    Cara stood at her window and watched the six heavily armed Scotsmen ride through the gates of Westley Keep. Their dress led her to believe they were warriors along with the enormous claymores they traveled with.
    Hope flared in her chest and she felt drawn to the dark haired stranger at the front of the group. She tried to make out their plaid, but the light was too dim to allow her to see it clearly. She couldn’t look away from them though and the feeling that her future would be decided by them was heavy upon her.
    The leader drew her interest as he spoke so friendly with her father. He was very large even for a Highlander, he stood a head taller than her father who towered over her. She feared she would seem a wee bairn to a man of his size. His dark hair was secured at his nape and he wore his tartan proudly.
    She needed to be near him with an almost uncontrollable fierceness. Then he looked up and she could feel his glowing amber eyes on her flesh as if they were a flame. Her heart raced at the same time it reached