Highland Warrior Read Free

temptingly shaped woman. Worse still, he seemed incapable of ignoring the fact that he desired her.
    “What is your name?” he asked her as Gregor put all of her weapons in a sack.
    “Fiona,” she replied and met his hard stare, one that demanded more information, with a smile.
    “Fiona what? What clan? What place?”
    “Do ye expect me to sweetly reply and give ye all that is needed to rob me and mine?”
    Cleverness in a female could be extremely irritating, Ewan decided. “Where were ye headed?”
    “Nowhere in particular. I was just riding about enjoying the rare sunny day.”
    “Then how did ye end up here?”
    “Ah, weel, my mount is a contrary beast. He bolted. I think I must have hit my head on the saddle pommel or the like, for after a rough ride, I became quite dazed. When I finally came to my senses, the wretched beast was moving at a calmer pace, but as soon as I tried to grab the reins, which had slipped from my hands, the horse bolted again. After yet another long, rough ride, he tossed me to the ground and left me here.”
    “Is that the beast over there?”
    Fiona looked to where he pointed and softly cursed. The big, gray gelding stood only a few yards away, idly feasting on soft grass. If she had known he was so close, she would have tried to catch him, might even have escaped the trouble she now found herself in. Then, she sighed, accepting her fate. Since she had truly needed a horse, it was certain that aggravating beast would never have allowed himself to be caught.
    “Aye, that is him,” she replied.
    “What is the name it answers to?”
    “Several, actually, but if he is feeling particularly contrary, the best one to use is Wretched.”
    “Wretched? Ye call your mount Wretched?”
    “Tis short for Wretched Pain in the Arse. He is also called Curse to All Mankind, Limb of Satan…” She stopped when he held up his hand.
    “Mayhap he wouldnae be so contrary if ye gave him a proper name,” Ewan said.
    “He has one. Tis Stormcloud. He doesnae often answer to it, however. And he has weel earned the others.”
    “If he is so much trouble, why do ye ride him?”
    “He is big, strong, fast, and can go for miles without a rest. Of course, that isnae such a fine thing at the moment,” she muttered and glared at her horse, who looked at her, neighed, and tossed his fine head as if he were enjoying a fine laugh at her expense.
    “Stay here,” Ewan commanded. “Watch her, Gregor.” He started toward the horse.
    Fiona crossd her arms over her chest and watched him approach Stormcloud. To her utter surprise and a flash of extreme irritation, the man easily caught Stormcloud. The horse did not even try to elude him, seemed positively enraptured. She cursed as he led the horse back to her. When the animal looked at her and gave her a horsey snicker, she stuck her tongue out at him. Her captors found that worthy of a hearty laugh. Even the big man holding Stormcloud’s reins grinned.
    “Mayhap, if ye spoke sweetly to the beast,” Ewan suggested, “he would feel more kindly toward ye.”
    “I have spoken sweetly to him, in the beginning, when I thought he was a reasonable beast,” Fiona replied. “I spoke so sweetly honey fair dripped from every word. It ne’er worked. Watch.” She stepped closer to the horse and began to flatter him. “Such a fine gentlemon, ye are, Stormcloud. Big, strong, fair to look upon.” She concentrated on keeping her voice low and coaxing, struggling to think of every compliment she could as she wooed him.
    Ewan quickly lost interest in the game she played with her horse. He was caught firm in the magic of her voice. It was low, slightly husky, and dangerously seductive. The flattery she filled the horse’s ears with could all too easily flatter a man as well. He glanced at his men and realized they were being as seduced as he was, or nearly so. Ewan hoped their bodies were not growing as taut with need as his was or there could be trouble.
    Just as he was