Read Online As High as the Heavens by Kathleen Morgan - Free Book Online Page A

lass, I don't understand why ye've taken such an instant dislike to the man. Angus has assured me Duncan
knows his manners and will treat ye with all courtesy and deference. And, though I admit our plans have taken
a wee detour, I didn't realize ye'd become such a ...
„
a-

    "Peevish, scolding vixen?" Duncan supplied helpfully
when Robert seemed suddenly at a loss for words.
    "Aye," Robert agreed, seizing on the suggestion a bit
too eagerly before catching himself. "Well, be that as it
may, ye know what I mean, lass." He had the good grace
to flush in embarrassment before hurrying on. "Ye said
ye were committed to the queen's rescue. We must all
make sacrifices-"
    "Aye, that we must, Father," Heather muttered, controlling an urge to walk over and slap that smug, triumphant look off Duncan Mackenzie's face with the greatest
difficulty. "It just seems, of late, I'm the only one making
the sacrifices."
    "Ye and yer father expect me to risk my life in impersonating another man so as to enter Lochleven. I'd say
yer wee sacrifice, in coming to my home to teach me,
pales in comparison."
    At Duncan's accurate if unwelcome observation,
Heather gritted her teeth, then turned to meet his unflinching gaze. "Aye, in comparison, I suppose ye're
right." She paused, searching for the right words, even
as she grudgingly admitted Duncan Mackenzie had won
this first of what would assuredly be many battles between them. "I beg pardon if I offended ye and yer father in my reluctance to reside at your house. It wasn't
that I doubted yer assurances of yer home's comforts,
as much as I-"
    "I know, lass."

    His keen gaze knifed into hers. In that fleeting look, a
sudden knowledge passed between them. A knowledge of
the true reasons for Heather's fierce opposition to spending time with him in the relative seclusion of his home.
A knowledge of her strong attraction to him. And that
knowledge, though a rousing victory for Duncan, was
an equally shameful admission for Heather. Shameful
and forbidden yet, conversely, exciting in a way she had
never before experienced.
    At the realization, a small shiver rippled through her.
A shiver of anticipation, of dread, and no small amount
of fear. There was no way, though, to avoid the confrontation to come. With all her strength and courage, she
must face the next three months and deal with Duncan
Mackenzie as best she could.
    "Then I suppose it's settled, isn't it?" Heather said.
    "Aye, I suppose it is," Duncan replied, his expression
suddenly shuttered, his voice devoid of emotion.
    He didn't fool her, Heather thought, though all present might imagine he didn't care one way or another for
the victory he had just achieved. Just below the surface
of his outwardly indifferent demeanor, his true nature
smoldered. It but awaited the right time and place to
flare anew.
    She had seen that look before. She was now an heiress,
after all. Already, many men lusted after her fortune, even
more than they lusted for her. Before, though, Heather
had always known how to deal with them. Known and
done so with the greatest ease, for she had felt no answering attraction for any suitor that she couldn't soon
master.

    But now, staring back at the dark and disturbing Duncan Mackenzie, Heather realized this time it wouldn't be
so easy. Though she knew not why, she found Duncan
Mackenzie the most exciting man she had ever met.
    She could only hope, for her peace of mind at the
very least, the heart of the man wasn't half as exciting
as was his person.

    "I don't like it, my lady," Beth Erskine murmured later
that night as she helped Heather prepare for bed. "What
can yer father be thinking, to allow ye to journey deep
into the Highlands and so far from yer aunt and uncle's
supervision in the bargain?"
    She shook out a long-sleeved, woolen sleeping gown.
Gathering it up, Beth slid it over her mistress's outstretched arms.
    "And who does that Highlander think he is, to tell
ye that ye