Winning the Highlander's Heart Read Free Page A

outdoor room.  She walked along the stone paths, each separating sections of the garden for easier cutting of the plants for meals, medicine, and other uses.  Lavender scented the air in the sweetest floral fragrance.  When she breathed in the heady aroma, she nearly forgot her annoyance.  But when she continued along the stone path, she fumed about the Highlander again.
    Laird MacNeill had a Scottish accent like her.  Why should he not like hearing the sound of his countrymen’s burr?  ‘Twas not so bad a sound to her ear.
    Footsteps reverberated behind her and she whipped around, not sure what to expect.  Hoping to find the handsome laird following her.  Wishing he’d ask her name and want her, just like she wanted him...well, any Highlander to take her away from all this...to return her to her own lands where she’d take on the role of lady of Brecken Castle.
    What she found made her heart sink like a stone thrown into the loch.  The cook curtseyed to her, then reached down and snipped basil, chive, and red valerian for the meal.
    Anice had to find some other Highlander laird since none of the three were brave enough to seek audience with her.  These did not impress her.
    She greeted the cook, then stalked out of the gardens.  She would find some other knights to take her home.
    *  *  *
    Malcolm MacNeill and his youngest brother, Angus, watched the defiant young woman stride toward the stables, while their brother, Dougald, remained in the keep, trying to find out who she was.  Her bearing and dress were impeccable and of the finest fabrics.  Definitely a lady.  Though he’d never seen one climb out a castle window before to escape from...well, he wasn’t sure from what and he still intended to find out.
    The interest she’d shown in them just now in the great hall...
    Malcolm smiled.  He could tell she was interested in him by the way her cheeks colored beautifully and her perky breasts lifted when her heartbeat quickened.  Her green eyes had darkened, enough to intrigue him further.  Had she wanted him to run his hands over more than her naked thigh?
    He sighed deeply.  ‘Twas an English lady he was bound to wed.  Yet, the lass intrigued him like no other.  But having an English wife...well, he knew he and his brothers would be more accepted by the king and other nobles if Malcolm and his kin married English ladies.  Besides, after the trouble he’d had with Brenna, then Catherine.
    He shook his head.  No more fiery-tempered Scottish lasses.
    Was she here looking for a husband like many of the ladies on the queen’s staff?  At least he assumed she was on the queen’s coterie.  More importantly, did the lass hold properties?  Or was she like him?  Having title, but no land?  He had no need of a beautiful, titled, and penniless woman.  He could offer her nothing in return.  Then he chided himself.  She was Scottish.
    Serving as a steward for his older brother, James, had satisfied him for a while, but it was time to settle down.  To have lands to call his own.  That would remain his sole focus, he reminded himself.
    Malcolm crossed his arms.  “What is taking Dougald so long?”
    Angus shook his head.  “I imagine he is still trying to discover who the young woman is.”  He glanced at Malcolm.  “Think you she is the one for you?”
    “She appeared interested, but she is Scottish.”
     “Mayhap she was only interested in seeing Highland warriors up close.”  Angus drew taller.   “She is a bonny lass.  If you dinna please her, mayhap I might have a go.”
    “She pleases me .”  Malcolm studied the wiggle of her narrow hips as her blue gown flowed over her backside.  Soft curves and all woman.  Touching every part of her came to mind, her full pouty lips, her nervous hands, the swell of her fine breasts, and more of her satiny, naked thighs.  “She pleases me.”
    Dougald stepped outside to join them.  “I found out nothing about the lady, but we have an