My Laird's Love (My Laird's Castle Book 2) Read Free

couldn’t think of any answers at the moment. Well over six feet, the stranger towered over my five-foot-two frame, much as the mountains had. The faint light cast by the moon disappeared momentarily, and I spoke into the darkness.
    “Yes, I’m lost. Can you help me? Where am I?”
    “Why, ye’re in Scotland, mistress. On Anderson land at the moment. Where is it ye think ye are?”
    “Anderson land? Where is that? Is there a town or something nearby? Where did you come from?”
    “South of Fort Williams and north of Glasgow. Aye, there is a small village a short distance from here. Do ye wish me to escort ye there? How came ye to be out here so late? And alone?”
    I wasn’t sure I liked the way he said alone.
    “I don’t know. I got lost...that’s all I know. My cousin Julie was waiting for me in our rental car in the pullout, and then she was just gone. Do you know which pullout I’m talking about? It’s somewhere along a river. I thought it was this river, but I don’t think it is. I’m not sure how I got over here, or where here is. Do you have a phone? Could I use it?”
    I could barely see the man’s expression in the darkness, but I sensed he watched me with concern. Even to my ears, I sounded erratic, confused, baffled—which I was.  
    “Nay, madam. I dinna possess such a thing, nor do I ken what it is. I think it best I take ye to some shelter. My house is several hours away, or I could take ye to Gleannhaven Castle nowt but a short ride that way.” I thought he gestured to the right, the direction in which I had been heading. “Ye seem to speak the same language as Beth, the lady of the house. Perhaps it is best I take ye to Gleannhaven.”
    “Gleannhaven Castle?” That sounded grand. I sighed with relief. I was sure they would have a phone, or at least a bed for the night. It was probably an old mansion now converted to a hotel. Or at least I hoped so. I wasn’t sure the man should be dropping me off at someone’s castle.
    “Yes, that sounds great! Thank you so much!”  
    “Let me stow my pipes,” he said. I couldn’t see what he was doing, but I heard some shuffling and a squeak of the bagpipe.  
    “Come then. I think I must take liberties with ye.”
    Before I knew what was happening, I felt my waist enclosed by two large hands that lifted me off my feet and tossed me sideways onto a saddle. The horse snorted and shifted, and I braced myself against the horse’s neck for support.
    “Are those breeches that ye’re wearing, madam?” he asked.
    “What?” I said in a bemused voice.  
    “Trews. Breeches? I dinna ken what ye call them. Are ye wearing a lad’s clothing?”  
    He put a foot in one stirrup and hauled himself up behind me, enfolding me in his arms as he reached for the reins.  
    A lad’s clothing? The feel of his broad chest behind my back made my heart thud, and I smiled despite myself. A lad’s clothing. How delightfully old worldly. Everything was going to be all right. A Highlander had come out of the darkness to rescue me. Everything was possible in the Highlands.
    “Yes, jeans,” I said.
    “Come, Robbie!” the man called out as he urged the horse forward. The dog barked once and raced toward us.
    “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is James Livingstone,” he said. “And ye are?”
    “Margaret Scott,” I said. “Call me Maggie. I’m really so grateful to you for rescuing me.”
    “It is my pleasure, madam. I ken there is more to yer tale of becoming lost, but ye shall tell me when ye wish.”
    “I don’t think there’s anything else to tell. I climbed down from the pullout to stop by the river. I think I must have fainted. And then when I awakened, Julie was gone. Everyone was gone. And I couldn’t find the road.” I was afraid I sounded as helpless as I had felt.  
    “You said Beth speaks like I do?”
    “Aye, Beth, Lady Anderson. Aye, she speaks English in the same way that ye do. She comes from the Colonies, and I am guessing that