Read Online Branded by a Warrior by Andrea Thorne - Free Book Online Page A

beside her, tucked under his personal tartan plaid, she knew it was Broderick who had been her savior these past days. The smell of his plaid was familiar to her; the smooth velvety tone of his voice was of the man who saved her from her demons.
    Watching his every move, she saw him lazily roll his head to look at her, locking eyes with her; it made something inside her churn with desire.
    “By your side every night lass, I dinnae take my vows to protect you lightly . ”
    His unapologetic response made her smirk, with any other man she would have ran him through for taking such liberties with her. No man made decisions for her, yet she understood his mind.
    “ You comforted me when the darkness came, I can remember your voice, your smell . ” Her voice was soft and tender.
    “Nightmares have gripped you nightly Elisabeth, I could not bear to see you tortured night after night . I apologize if having me beside you offends your sensibilities, but it was the only way I could get you to stop screaming . ”
    Biting her lip she close d her eyes as she said the last words, “I can never repay you for saving my life, I am forever in your debt Broderick . ”
    “Consider us even Elisabeth, I have always felt indebted to you for stopping the escalating tensions between your brother and I t hat day at the waterfall. I owe you my life . ”
    Slowly opening her eyes she looked across the small table that sat between them and saw him rake a hand through his dark hair. Sitting in his linen shirt and kilt, h e looked tormented by the past, just as Duncan had been. She could tell from his voice he held onto to guilt for far too long.
    Reaching across the table she ten tatively touched his forearm , resting her hand upon his muscular arm , “Let the past be Broderick, Duncan forgave you. Why you two never fully recovered your friendship is beside me, but he truly missed you. He sent me to you, you were his last hope for me . He loved you like the brother he never had. ”
    “I’ll not fail you Elisabeth or him again , vengeance and justice will be yours . I will protect you with my life Elisabeth Drummond . ”
    Feeling overwhelming emotions brewing ye t again she changed the subject, looking down at her beautiful chemise and bandaged shoulder, “ Who changed me?” S he asked, growing embarrassed at the very thought of him seeing her naked, a blu sh crept across her ivory face as she watched him.
    “Rhona and I , you w ere covered in blood and soaked . ”
    Rolling her eyes with embarrassment, she figured why not go ahead and ask him all the other questions that were rolling around in her head, “Are ye married Broderick?”
    “Nae Elisabeth, marriage is not for me. ”
    “How old are ye Broderick?” nonchalantly she swept her unruly hair over to the side of her shoulder and attempted to plait her coppery locks , pretending she was having a normal conversation with the handsome laird.
    “Nine and twenty ” he answe red with a smirk, obviously entertained by her straight forward questioning.
    Nodding she, looked at the fire, “I am sorry you’ve had to take care of me for so long, to share your space must not be easy .” R efusing to take he r eyes off the blaze before her, s o much had changed so quickly. Her family was gone; she was sharing a room with the most eligible man around, not to mention the most attractive. She was weak and helpless, her emotions were uncontrollable , and she was completely out of her element .
    “Ye are easy to get used to lass, never apologize for being here Elisabeth. As you’ve made your vows, I have made mine .” H e watched her for a moment before asking, “Are ye married Elisabeth?”
    “Nae Broderick, marriage is also not for me .”
    “Your age?” he asked again, curious as she, her answer delighted him. They were very similar.
    “Three and twenty ,” she replied softly, looking back at the fire.
    Letting the conversation die, she tucked her feet underneath her and wrapped his