Read Online For Love or Loyalty: The MacGregor Legacy | Book 1 by Jennifer Hudson Taylor - Free Book Online

we dock in the Carolinas, but we might be able to find some clothes.”
    “Aye, at least we can come above deck an’ breathe the fresh air an’ see the sun,” Deidra said. “The poor souls in the hold will only have rations of air, food, and water ’til landfall. Even then, they will stay aboard ’til sold at auction.”
    “Only if they live long enough to survive the journey.” Kathleen twisted her lips in a frown. “To think I was almost one of them. I was a pence short for my passage, but someone paid it for me. Now I shall get a chance at my dream of being a schoolteacher in Carolina.” She shrugged. “I never got to attend university, but the women I worked for taught me to read and do mathematics.”
    “I guess my situation could be worse.” Conviction ripped through Lauren’s heart. “I have always had more than enough. Mayhap, ’tis why Malcolm has always despised me so much, that and my Campbell name.”
    “I do not care if ye live like a princess,” Deidra said. “Ye do not deserve this. He is a blackhearted scoundrel, he is.”
    “Nay,” Lauren shook her head, surprised by the venom in her friend’s voice. “Malcolm is forgiven by Christ, and we should forgive him as well.”
    “Ye’re one o’ them righteous women, are ye?” Deidra asked, narrowing her eyes in suspicion. “I say go ahead an’ forgive him for his past wrongs, but do not let ’im keep hurtin’ ye. Learn from livin’, my mither always said.”
    “Malcolm has paid for my passage.” She gave her new friends a sad smile. “I am afraid ’tis already too late. As far as he is concerned, he has bought me.”

    Malcolm found Hugh MacKinnon on the quarterdeck at the wheel. Approaching him from the side, Malcolm could only see his profile and beard. He hoped the man was in a good mood. Mr. MacKinnon turned and with a steady gaze watched Malcolm approach. Malcolm stood four inches above Mr. MacKinnon and hoped the man wouldn’t be intimidated by his height. In his experience, many often were, and it had caused him trouble, especially with the less confident ones.
    “What brings ye hither, Mr. MacGregor?” The first mate lifted a dark brow. “I would wager there is much more fun to be had below deck.”
    “We found a cabin for Miss Campbell, but she has no place to sleep,” Malcolm said. “I was hoping ye might have a hammock I could install for her.”
    “I am sure we can find something.” Mr. MacKinnon nodded in agreement. “Let me ask ye something . . . what exactly is yer relationship to the lass? Ye are not her brother or her husband?”
    Malcolm tensed, wondering about the purpose of questioning. “Nay, I am neither, but as she said, we knew each other as children.” Malcolm wanted to say that he looks out for her like a brother, but how could he claim it after what he’d done and planned to do when they reached Carolina? He had no rights regarding Lauren, but that didn’t change the fact he wanted to try and protect her until he exchanged her for his mother. Sailors already watched her. Had Mr. MacKinnon taken a liking to her as well?
    “So yer argument was not a lovers’ quarrel?” Mr. MacKinnon’s lips twitched in a devilish grin. “That pleases me.”
    “She is not like the others.” Malcolm hastened to add, disliking the man’s apparent interest. “She is verra religious an’ comes from a well-bred, aristocratic family.”
    “How can ye defend them when she herself admitted how her family wronged ye?” Mr. MacKinnon asked, shaking his head with a chuckle. “If you worry about her innocence, you should not have let her come aboard without the protection of yer name, either as her brother or husband. Now she is fair game to any man who may want her, and sometimes a little convincing is all that is needed.”
    “Are ye sayin’ ye’ve designs on the lass yerself or merely warnin’ me of yer sailors?” Malcolm crossed his arms and stepped closer, meeting Mr. MacKinnon’s dark eyes with a