Highland Tigress (Tiger Series) Read Free Page B

for him. She felt as if she were the sea and he the land and the only desire in her heart was to reach him. She curled her fingers tightly over the window’s edge to keep from leaping out it to reach him. She felt everything in her cry out to comfort the soul deep anguish she somehow knew he felt. His loneliness engulfed her and a painful sob was torn from her chest.
     
    Liam felt bombarded with emotions upon entering the gates. He felt the evil, but also a craving he could not understand or identify. He looked up and his eyes were drawn to a woman standing in the window of the keep. He froze. His heart swelled in his chest. MATE. The word echoed through his brain as he stared at the vision in the window. Her fiery hair was caught by the wind and blew around her catching the light from her fire so she looked as if she were made of flame. He felt his body stir in ways it had not in many years. He felt her then, only subtly, but she reached out to comfort him. He felt her grief for him and his mind almost exploded with recognition. He could not call her name, but he knew her spirit and her heart. Who was this woman who called to him with her heart? His breath caught in his chest so he was taken unaware when Lauchlan spoke.
    “Aye, Laird McNeal. Ye’ve come just in time to help us celebrate the marriage of my daughter,” he said watching Liam closely. He’d seen the look on the Laird’s face when he’d seen Cara in her window. This man had sworn to protect her before her birth and somehow he seemed to know she was the same lass. Lauchlan shook his head at the absurdity of the thought and continued.
    “Cara will marry on the morrow.” Lauchlan continued still watching Liam. At the name Liam’s men exchanged puzzled looks. It had been well known that Laird Kingston had married only once and lost his wife and child at the birth. His heir was a nephew and a fine warrior. From where had this lass come?
    Darren reached out with his mind to search Lauchlan’s. the answers were all there. He shot a look at Liam to see if he too had found this intriguing piece of information.
    “Cara.” The name was a sigh from Liam’s lips. “Cara is yer daughter ye say? Red of hair is she then?” Liam lifted his brow. “Reminds me of another lass who was lost to us many years ago.”
    Darren held his tongue. Few had the strength of mind that he possessed and he knew Liam would not appreciate his interruption. Liam would discern the truth soon enough. Best to keep his strength a secret for now. Deaglan looked at him questioningly though and he nodded slightly. Deaglan stiffened and frowned darkly.
    “Aye, as well she should too.” Lauchlan spoke softly. Liam felt hope blossom in his chest like a flower in spring and Lauchlan continued. “There is much we will talk of this night. Much that has been too long held at bay.”
    Liam’s heart skipped a beat. “Is she the bairn then Lauchlan? The one I have sworn to protect with my very life?”
    Lauchlan dropped his eyes.
    “Speak man! I have feared for these eighteen years that she was lost to me. If she is not I will know it now,” Liam demanded.
    “She is not lost. Not yet.”
    “Why in Hell would ye agree to marry her off with out my knowing?”
    “I cannot speak of it here,” Lauchlan insisted noticing several McKenzie men nearby. “We will speak after we dine. Would you like to bathe first?”
    “Aye we would. We thank ye for your hospitality Laird Kingston and we will talk with ye later,” Liam spoke reluctantly.
    “Aye we will Liam. We have much need of yer help.”
    Liam saw the fear and resignation in his friend’s eyes and knew there would be much trouble before this night ended.
    “Alice,” Lauchlan called.
    A young woman hurried to be of service, but her progress was slow. Lauchlan smiled reassuringly at the lass and nodded. When she drew near Liam saw the horrible bruises that marred her young flesh, some were several days old and some were fresh, and smelled