My Daring Highlander Read Free

arrow drove into his
targe.
    The other guards cursed and moved into
position to better shield the women.
    “Saints, Seona, you saved my life,”
Isobel said in a stunned voice.
    Seona knew not what to say; she’d
simply acted on instinct. Isobel had become like a sister to her
over the past few months, and obviously she’d help her in any way
she could. Just as she wished to return home and help her own
sister.
    Seona’s attention was riveted to the
four enemies on foot, wielding swords, storming from the bright
mist in front of them, the opposite direction from where Keegan and
Dirk had charged earlier.
     
     

Chapter Two
     
    Who were the men materializing out of
the blinding mist? As of yet, Seona could not see them well enough
to distinguish their features.
    Four MacKay guards leapt from their
horses, drew swords and lashed out at the attackers. Blades clashed
and clanged. From her crouched position, Seona caught a glimpse of
one of the outlaws—Haldane, with long red hair and a scruffy beard.
His face possessed a gaunt, hungry look, and his green eyes glinted
wildly.
    Seona envied Isobel’s dagger for she
had naught to defend herself with besides the tiny knife she used
while eating. She prayed the older, more experienced guards could
easily defeat the young outlaws.
    Shouts echoed from the opposite
direction, startling her. More enemies? Or the MacKays returning?
Behind the tall rocks and horses, Seona was unable to see who was
approaching. She and Isobel stood. Abruptly, Haldane and his three
cronies fled into the mist. Keegan, Dirk, Rebbie and several more
men chased after them on foot, swords drawn, battle-cries
echoing.
    “Dirk!” Isobel shouted. “They could be
hiding in the mist!”
    None of the men listened; not that
Seona expected them to. She knew how men were—although they might
show caution at times, warriors such as these would display no fear
or hesitance. They’d charge right in to the midst of trouble with
their blades.
    Near silence reigned for several
minutes.
    Seona held her breath, waiting to see
what would happen next. Praying Keegan and the men helping him
would not be ambushed in such poor visibility.
    Moments later, broad-shouldered,
indistinct silhouettes appeared in the bright mist and strode
toward them. Was one of them Keegan?
    Aye.
    When Keegan emerged, walking with
Dirk, Rebbie and some of the other guards, she released a calming
breath.
    “Thank the saints,” Isobel
whispered.
    Seona felt the same gratitude, but
could not voice it for her aunt waited beside her, scared
stiff.
    Sheathing their swords,
Dirk and Keegan strode closer and the guards moved aside. Keegan’s
intense blue gaze was on her but she tried not to stare at
him. Saints! Anytime he was near, she almost overheated.
    Isobel launched herself at Dirk, who
caught her and pulled her close for an affectionate embrace and a
kiss on the cheek.
    Seona admired their closeness, but
Aunt Patience let out a gasp, her lightly-wrinkled ivory skin
reddening and her dark blue eyes narrowing in disapproval at the
public display. Seona wanted to ask her what was wrong with a
husband and wife showing love and concern for each other? Certainly
Seona’s father had never shown any care for her mother. In fact,
she remembered him showing utter disdain for her many
times.
    Isobel drew back. “Seona saved my
life.”
    “What?” Dirk frowned. “What
happened?”
    “A stray arrow was flying straight
toward me, and Seona pushed me to the ground.”
    Dirk’s fierce gaze lit on her. “I
thank you, Lady Seona.”
    She tried to curtsy but her legs were
too shaky to perform the motion adequately. “’Tis naught more than
I’d do for mine own sister.”
    Dirk hugged Isobel close again and
whispered something in her ear. But Seona’s gaze darted to Keegan,
standing next to his cousin, and the compelling expression on his
face—a proud grin. His blue eyes seemed even brighter than usual as
he observed her.
    He took her hand in his