Highlander's Bride (Heart of the Highlander Series Book 1) Read Free

friends here I do not
wish to leave."
    "Katherine Gordon," Angus' voice rang
out. "We leave on the morrow, so set your mind to it. You'll have a
lifetime to become accustomed to your husband. Your mother and I know what is
best for you and we willna change our decision."
    She frowned back at him and stamped her foot.
"'Tis absurd. I—" The fierce expression on his face halted the words
on her lips. Arguing would get her nowhere. She must take action, do something.
Marry some stranger? She'd rather eat a garden slug.
    Yanking her hands from her hips, she grabbed up
her skirts, and rushed from the solar.  Katherine descended the stairs and
hurried to the stables. Darting a quick glance about, she saw her saddle on a
stone shelf nearby. The bridle hung on a peg near her mare's stall. There was
no time to find a groom to saddle her horse. She would simply do it herself. Da
had taught her how to saddle and ride years ago. Aye, and to protect herself.
What did she need of some demanding husband she knew naught of? She wanted
freedom. When she chose to marry, it would be for love. To marry Daniel.
    Within minutes, she'd saddled her horse and rode
silently out the far postern gate. She rode for a time within the edge of the
nearby woods watching the castle gates to see if anyone followed her. When no
one approached, she turned her horse toward the place where she and Daniel
often met.
    'Twas true, she and Daniel were not betrothed, but
he had spoken of it often enough. Aye, he simply wished to wait to speak with
her father until he had acquired a larger land holding, but surely once she told
him of her parents' plans, he would change his mind.
    Time seemed to slow to a crawl as Katherine
waited, hoping to see Daniel. Eventually, she saw his mount approaching on the
local tavern road that passed by their meeting place. Urging her horse to a brisk
canter, Katherine breathlessly rode up to him. "Daniel!"
    He clumsily reined in and drew his sword with a
shaky hand. "Who… Och, Katherine, 'tis you. What are you doing here
without sending me word? I might have harmed you."
    "There was no time to send word. I had to
speak with you today. Now."
    Nodding, Daniel managed to sheath his sword after
the second attempt and then led her to a secluded grove beyond the road.  As
soon as they dismounted, he took her into his arms, eagerly covering her mouth
with his.
    Katherine coughed and drew back from the reek of
whiskey on his breath. "Daniel, please, we must talk. My parents have
betrothed me to a Highlander and we are to leave on the morrow! You must come
back with me and speak to Da today."
    "What? That canna be. You must have it amiss.
Och, lass, you know so little of the world and men's minds." Patting her
hand as if she were a child, he added, "My little love, come sit and I
shall explain such things to you."
    "No, Daniel, Da spoke of it not two hours
past. If you truly care for me as you say, you must speak to him before we
leave on the morrow."
    Daniel shook his head, leaned down and picked a
small stalk of heather and handed it to her.  " Wheesht , little
love. You worry yourself over naught. Dinna fash, I will speak with your sire
soon. 'Twill not be much longer before I have a large enough holding to claim
you for my own. You are too fine a lady to live in a small manor house such as
mine."  With that, he pulled her down to the ground beside him, leaned
over, and wrapped his arms around her, near smothering her in his pungent
embrace. As his tongue played over her lips, he ran a hand down the front of
her gown, cupping her breast.
    Katherine pushed at him, but he gripped her
tighter. "Ah, my little love, you worry overmuch. You know how I love you.
Let me comfort you and ease your fears."
    With that, he pushed the hem of her gown up and
lay across her. Katherine shoved him off and rolled away.  "No, Daniel. I
won't do this. We have waited too long to share our love to do so now with no
marriage vows spoken."
    "Katherine, I tell