The Highlander's Stolen heart (Macinnes Sisters Trilogy) Read Free Page B

her. He did not need her interfering, getting in his way, being more of a hindrance than help. Rogan caught the shiver that ran through her and silently swore. Dampness was probably seeping into her bones from her wet garments.
    “Get out of those wet clothes,” he ordered.
    Her eyes popped wide. He could not expect her to strip naked in front of him. Could he? “Or what?” she dared him. Two long strides had him leaning over her and planting his face so close to hers that she could see that his dark eyes were dotted with specks of gold.
    “Or I will strip you myself. Not that I will take any pleasure in it. You are soaked and need to get dry.”
    Another thoughtless remark that tore at her, not that she would want him to touch her, but of course he had to let her know that stripping her would be a chore.
    “I have no other garments,” she snapped, feeling pity for Heather that she should be stuck with this rude man—if they could find her. The thought of possibly never seeing her sister again caused her legs to go so weak that she had to grab the back of the wood chair, she stood beside, for support.
    He saw that exhaustion and worry were taking their toll on her. She needed to get dry and rest. And if he was lucky, she would sleep through his departure. Then there would be nothing she could do but remain here while he saw to rescuing her sister.
    “Sit,” he snapped frustrated with her foolishness.
    “No!” she retaliated sharply. “I will have your word that you will take me with you or I leave now and see to finding my sister myself.”
    His hand snapped out and grabbed her wrist, yanking her from behind the chair and slamming her against his solid chest once again. His dark eyes blazed with fury, and she feared she had gone too far.
    “Listen well, Emma, for my warning is not to be taken lightly. I rule here and I will not be disobeyed. You will do as I say or I will see you locked away in the tower until I return with your sister.”
    His threat sent a chill to settle deep in her bones, but courage did not fail her. “You may rule here, but you do not rule over me.”
    “Do not test me, for you will surely lose.” He released her, shoving her away from him.
    Though she wanted to unleash her tongue on him, she wisely held it. Arguing with him was pointless. He would do as he wished no matter her protests, though one thing was certain—she would not be left behind.
    “Finally, some sense settles over you and your tongue stills.”
    Emma had to clamp her lips tightly shut to keep from spitting out her anger at the frustrating warrior. Poor Heather, her lot would be heavy with Rogan as her husband, and Emma felt a twinge of guilt for being grateful that he had refused to wed her.
    “I will have food and dry garments brought to you. While I go find your sister and make the culprit pay for abducting her, you will look over my land and see what can be done to improve it.”
    Emma stared at him stunned. He truly believed that she would concentrate on his land while her sister was in danger?
    “Warm yourself,” he said with a nod toward the hearth. “Someone will be here soon to see to your needs.” With that he left the room, shutting the door behind him.
    Emma stared at the closed door, feeling as if she had been dismissed without an ounce of regard to her concerns. Rogan obviously was accustomed to being obeyed, especially by women. His handsome features and fine body probably had all women easily obeying his every command and seeing to his every whim. She, however, was not most women. Being plain in feature and mostly disregarded by men had made Emma view men differently than other women. No man had ever impressed her in speech or actions. They blustered and demanded and were never nearly as important as they thought they were.
    She had paid mind to none. Even her father had had a difficult time with her. He could never understand her interest in things that most women cared little about. In a way, she