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

devour her heart? There were moments when Malcolm MacGregor scared her with more than the brawny muscle and physical power he could wield. The emotional lure he had on her was more frightening, harkening an attraction she wanted to deny. Lord, protect me.
    “Fine, but make it quick.” She strode out of the cabin and waited in the hall with her arms crossed.
    “Not here. Too many ears are around us.” He grabbed her hand, led her down the hall, and up the stairs. The main deck was bare, with the exception of a few sailors. Most of the passengers had gone below for the evening.
    Strong hands reached around her waist. Lauren gasped in surprise as Malcolm lifted her upon a barrel. His gaze met hers as a long silence passed between them. An uncomfortable warmth stirred in her chest, heating her neck and face.
    While his holding her like this gave her a sense of security, it was false. Malcolm was anything but safe. Had he not already proved that? She laid her hands on his and pushed him away. He looked down and shifted his stance. He seemed reluctant to meet her gaze and cleared his throat.
    “I know the hammock is not as nice as what ye’re used to, but it was all I could do under the circumstances.”
    “Do not apologize. Ye plan to sell me as an indentured servant, or have ye forgotten? It would not do to become concerned about my comforts at this point, now would it?” Her voice took on a hard edge.
    “I know I do not deserve yer trust,” he said.
    “Nay, ye do not.” She glared at him, hoping he could sense all her rekindled anger.
    “Still, I intend to look after ye while ye’re in my care,” he continued as if she hadn’t interrupted him.
    “Humph!” She shifted her fists to her hips and leaned forward. “Fine words from a liar. Ye need not act the gentleman now. By protecting me on this ship, ye’re protecting yer interests. Ye want me fine and healthy when it comes time to exchange me for yer mither. I am not as gullible as ye think.”
    “Lauren, by purchasing yer passage on this ship, I saved ye from being thrown into the hold with all the other indentured servants who have sold themselves to pay for their passage to the colonies. I could have used the money to buy Carleen back and still exchange ye for Mither.” He leaned toward her and lowered his voice to a dangerous pitch. Her heart thumped against her ribs. “That way I would get both of them back. I am not as bad as ye like to think.”
    “Is that supposed to comfort me?” She lifted an eyebrow, her tone sarcastic and biting. He wanted to confuse her, to melt her defenses against him, but she wouldn’t allow it—she couldn’t. Not if she wanted to keep her heart safe. The man had betrayed her and would do it again if he thought the means justified it. She needed to find a balance, to forgive him the way Christ wanted without risking her heart and giving him trust he did not deserve.
    “It should. Half of them will not survive the journey.” He gripped her shoulders and shook her. “Listen to me. They will be given rationed food of less quality than what we receive. They have no cabins or beds. Not even hammocks. They have a space no bigger than two by six feet to sleep on the floor with the rats. The only time they will be allowed to come up on deck is once a day for a short hour. Aye, yer paid passage should be a comfort to ye, even if it came about the way it did.”
    Lauren’s head tingled as the blood drained from her face. “If what ye say is true, then ’tis no comfort to me at all.” A shiver raced up her spine. “How can I enjoy the comfort of my situation when so many are suffering below—dying even?”
    Malcolm sighed, stepping back and rubbing his face. “I did not tell ye this to make ye feel guilty, but to help ye understand that I did the best I could.” He dropped his head and rubbed his neck. “In spite of what ye think of me.”
    “I will not say what I think of ye.” She looked away, unable to meet his