Read Online Across a Dark Highland Shore (Hot Highlands Romance Book 2) by Kelly Jameson - Free Book Online Page A

the stake. “After he severed my braid, he held it up for all to see as the golden braid of a witch.” Her lips trembled but she did not tear her gaze from his.
    Leith’s eyes narrowed. “Who was the black-souled midden who did this to ye?”
    “He is dead. By yer arrow. His name was Bothen. He is the one who would ha’e lit the fire at my feet.”
    “At least I will no’ ha’e to kill him twice.” He frowned. “Bothen deserved to die. Ye dunna mourn the death of this Bothen, do ye? Ye dunna feel his death was yer fault?”
    “Nay. He was a murderer of women. A caustic swine, crueler than a starving wolf.”
    Leith was so close to her now she could feel the heat of his big body. His smoky topaz eyes traveled over her slender form again, and she noticed that dark whiskers had already started to graze his square jaw. He appeared calm, but the scar on his cheek was white. Isobel was glad her scars were covered by the linen.
    “Well, witch, at least ye smell better now.” His lips twitched and Isobel wasn’t sure if he was teasing her or insulting her. “So, witch, will ye help me?”
    “Help ye with what? To foresee the outcomes of battles with yer enemies? To help heal yer sick and injured after ye carelessly sacrifice them on the battlefield? To help ye discover who killed Logan? To help ye win the hand of the fair Lady Katherine? As far as winning the hand of a lady, I’ve ne’er had a….” Isobel stopped speaking. She’d almost admitted she’d never had a lover, and he watched her with curiosity.
    “All of it, witch. But know this. I dunna condone careless and unnecessary bloodshed and the loss of good men in battle. I plan my battles wisely. I ha’e a keen gift for ferreting out traitors. And I ha’e charmed numerous women into my bed.”
    “Aye, I can imagine fear of ye practically defeats yer enemies before they e’er have a chance to raise their axes against ye! So why do ye need me , a MacKinnon healer?”
    “I dreamt of ye and it was a strong dream, one I couldna ignore. I believe ‘twas Logan who sent me the dream. I believe, because of the dream, that somehow our destinies our tied together, witch.”
    “I am no’ a witch! Call me Isobel , Highlander. It is my name .” She bit her lower lip and he watched her mouth intently, causing a strange, warm sensation to flood her body.
    “Isobel, do ye need assistance dressing after yer bath?” He offered her a hand so she could step from the tub. She felt her face flame and shook her head.
    “Nay, I will dress when ye leave, Highlander, which I hope ye will do now!”
    He laughed and withdrew his hand, but not his cool appraisal. He was still waiting for her answer to his other question.
    “The Sight is unpredictable,” Isobel said. “I canna control when I ha’e visions or what I see. I dunna always know what my visions and dreams mean.”
    He nodded, sensing she had more to say, and waited patiently.
    Isobel studied his form. He no longer wore his plaid. A fine saffron linen shirt and dark trews covered his tall, muscular frame, and heavy leather boots were on his feet. His black hair was tied back with a ribbon the color of topaz. He was even taller than she’d realized, his shoulders broad, his chest wide, and his hips narrow. His face was rugged and masculine, his nose straight and arrogant beneath his piercing topaz eyes, and his lips sensual. She felt her face color as she realized he’d taken notice of her perusal. With his dark looks, he was a striking-looking man, and she could understand why Lady Katherine feared him, why people called him the Black Wolf.
    “Maclean, I am a healer, no’ a witch. Stop calling me ‘witch’ and I may help ye if I can. I owe ye that for saving my life. But I will no’ stay here forever. I will no’ stay where I am no’ welcome.”
    “Ye will stay as long as I need ye to stay.”
    Isobel bit back a retort to his arrogance and squared her shoulders. She feared it would be all too easy to