The Highlander's Outlaw Bride Read Free

know. But Ewan and Geordie stopped them before they could put their plan into action.”
    “I am verra sorry to tell ye this, lass,” Ewan added. “If there had been a chance the sheriff would let ye see the king, it might have been better to see this through. But the truth is, the king isnae even at Troon.”
    Exhausted, her nerves frayed by events piled on her the past hours, Brianna took a stumbling step forward, bracing herself against the trunk of a tree as her knees buckled. Finally, she took a deep, steadying breath and faced the soldiers.
    “Where is Jamie?”
    It stood to reason if someone at Wyndham wanted her dead, it was because of the land entailed to her through her unfulfilled marriage contract. Though a sickly lad, Jamie was the only other member of her family who stood to inherit the property if she died.
    “He is fine,” Geordie answered. “Auld Willie knows the lad could be in danger and has taken charge of him. Ye needn’t worry about him.”
    Brianna nodded weakly. “What do we do now?” Her voice gained strength as she determinedly shrugged off her shock and readjusted the mantle of responsibility over her shoulders.
    Gavin shrugged as though his plan was of the utmost simplicity.
    “We wait for the king to pardon us.”

Chapter 2

    Several days later, in Ayrshire

    Connor MacLaurey reined his stallion to a stop at the foot of the hills just south of Troon. Satisfied with the protection the trees afforded, he turned to his two companions.
    “We will stop here for the night.”
    Sliding tiredly from his saddle, his legs trembled as he led Embarr to the edge of the glen. Water gurgled in a nearby burn, winding through the rocks and trees.
    “’Twill be good to have this done and be away home.” He grunted as he stripped the saddle from Embarr’s back. “I shouldnae have stayed away so long.”
    “I am sorry we are too late for your father’s funeral, mon ami .”
    Conn nodded wearily. “I thank ye, Bray. And my sister’s warning of my cousin’s plan to take over the clan doesnae help, either.” He lowered his saddle to the ground with a groan of effort. “If the ship hadnae been forced to berth at Ballantrae, we wouldnae have had this ride to Troon. But at least it has given the mares a chance to stretch their legs.”
    “Your king will be pleased with his gift. Perhaps enough to pardon your betrothed.”
    Connor cut his friend a sharp glance. “I dinnae sign a betrothal contract before I left for France, and I dinnae approve my da arranging this for me. She was a plain, straw-headed lass when I last saw her as a wean, and I would suppose she is even less interesting now. And, if I remember, a widow in the bargain. Let us think on happier things, aye?” He shrugged the memory of a fiery-haired lass from the Firth of Clyde from his mind and returned to his tasks.
    The two men watered and fed the horses in silence, but the words from Morven’s captain, Seumas, included in the letter from his sister, ticked through his head.
    Yer betrothed has been accused of reiving but escaped the hangman’s noose. The sheriff has declared her outlaw and his men hunt her. Only the king can pardon her. Ye must find her, protect her.
    The Wyndham lass an outlaw? Connor shook his head. Seumas exaggerates. She dinnae have a bold bone in her body. He dredged up the memory of the lad she’d married more than two years ago. Nae, she wouldnae have learned courage from him . As for now being his betrothed—he would deal with that absurd notion as soon as he ousted his cousin Malcolm from his mischief at Morven. With a final glance at the tethered horses, he turned toward camp.
    “I will see if Gillis needs anything.”
    Bray lifted his head. “I smell smoke. I hope the lad has something pleasing planned for our meal.”
    Conn ventured a short laugh. “Despite his assurances, I doubt the lad is much of a cook. But we shall see.”
    Conn’s stomach rumbled and he hurried to the campsite, where