Read Online Heart of the Highlands: The Beast (Protectors of the Crown Book 1) by April Holthaus - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: April Holthaus
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it against him? The small knife wouldn’t amount to much in battle but it was enough to slice a man’s throat or cause a man to bleed out if she stuck it in the right spot.
Keira had never harmed another before in her life, but that did not mean she couldn’t gather the courage to at least make an attempt, especially if her life was in danger. But was it? So far Ian had kept true to his word and not harmed her. And if he had not been concerned for her protection, he would not have followed her in the woods and returned her to camp. Any other man would not have bothered. Perhaps there was more to him than he let on.
Ian’s idea of cutting off the extra, heavy velvet was a sound and logical suggestion. Had she thought of it before, she would have torn off and removed the bothersome train earlier.
Finding some privacy behind a bush, she lifted the top layer of her dress and draped it over her arm. Twisting around, and holding the knife with the other hand, she made a small tear along the back waistline. Setting the knife down on a stump, she ripped the fabric from around her waist, pulling it away from the dress.
With a heap of loose material gathered in her arms, she dropped the heavy train, now detached from the back of her dress. The skirt flopped to her sides, sleek and slender. Keira felt as if she had lost nearly twenty pounds removing the excess velvet. This was much better, she thought. It was easier for her to maneuver and undoubtedly going to be easier for her to ride as well. Of course, she never would have needed to damage the dress had Ian and his men not left her luggage back at the carriage, but that was a well-worn conversation and did not need to be brought up again.
Returning to the group of men, she spotted Ian standing near his horse, waiting for her. She made her way toward him.
“Tis much better!” he said, smiling down at her.
Ian hoisted Keira up onto the horse and jumped on the saddle behind her. Cradling her between his thighs, he lightly placed one hand over her stomach and the other on the reins. The close contact made her shift on the saddle but as she tried to move away from him, it only caused him to hold her closer.
As Ian snapped the reins, the horse jolted, causing Keira to wrap her arm over his to prevent herself from falling. Pressing her back against his front had felt too comfortable. She fit perfectly against him and found that she liked the way his arm wrapped around her waist. Keira relaxed her shoulders and leaned against him. Her skin tingled at the feel of his breath on the back of her neck. It caused her stomach to tense and other strange feelings inside her to awaken. Though it was not meant to be a romantic gesture, it was by far the most intimate sensation she had ever felt.
Never had Keira seen such beautiful, picturesque landscape than God’s creation unveiled before her that morning. The early morning sun cast hues of gold on the peaks of the mountains and deep within the valley, fog seeped through the trees like a blanket of white smoke. Lush green trees and shrubs dotted the hills and wild alpine flowers were in full bloom, adding a delightful mixture of color. Thick purple heather swayed harmoniously in the light breeze across the fields and small white sheep could be seen grazing in the distance.
The land surrounding Castle Sinclair could not hold a candle to the beauty before her. Unlike the green rolling hills of the Highlands, Castle Sinclair was settled on rocky flatland on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean. It was built on top of bedrock and sandy soil, making it hard for crops to grow in abundance. Although the estate was along the shore of the North Sea, the ocean was the only beauty that part of the Highlands offered.
As the sun rose in the sky, Keira was grateful the sun-kissed clouds showed promise for a warm and dry day. This time of year sporadic downpours were common and she prayed the rain would stay away just long enough for them
Keira had never harmed another before in her life, but that did not mean she couldn’t gather the courage to at least make an attempt, especially if her life was in danger. But was it? So far Ian had kept true to his word and not harmed her. And if he had not been concerned for her protection, he would not have followed her in the woods and returned her to camp. Any other man would not have bothered. Perhaps there was more to him than he let on.
Ian’s idea of cutting off the extra, heavy velvet was a sound and logical suggestion. Had she thought of it before, she would have torn off and removed the bothersome train earlier.
Finding some privacy behind a bush, she lifted the top layer of her dress and draped it over her arm. Twisting around, and holding the knife with the other hand, she made a small tear along the back waistline. Setting the knife down on a stump, she ripped the fabric from around her waist, pulling it away from the dress.
With a heap of loose material gathered in her arms, she dropped the heavy train, now detached from the back of her dress. The skirt flopped to her sides, sleek and slender. Keira felt as if she had lost nearly twenty pounds removing the excess velvet. This was much better, she thought. It was easier for her to maneuver and undoubtedly going to be easier for her to ride as well. Of course, she never would have needed to damage the dress had Ian and his men not left her luggage back at the carriage, but that was a well-worn conversation and did not need to be brought up again.
Returning to the group of men, she spotted Ian standing near his horse, waiting for her. She made her way toward him.
“Tis much better!” he said, smiling down at her.
Ian hoisted Keira up onto the horse and jumped on the saddle behind her. Cradling her between his thighs, he lightly placed one hand over her stomach and the other on the reins. The close contact made her shift on the saddle but as she tried to move away from him, it only caused him to hold her closer.
As Ian snapped the reins, the horse jolted, causing Keira to wrap her arm over his to prevent herself from falling. Pressing her back against his front had felt too comfortable. She fit perfectly against him and found that she liked the way his arm wrapped around her waist. Keira relaxed her shoulders and leaned against him. Her skin tingled at the feel of his breath on the back of her neck. It caused her stomach to tense and other strange feelings inside her to awaken. Though it was not meant to be a romantic gesture, it was by far the most intimate sensation she had ever felt.
Never had Keira seen such beautiful, picturesque landscape than God’s creation unveiled before her that morning. The early morning sun cast hues of gold on the peaks of the mountains and deep within the valley, fog seeped through the trees like a blanket of white smoke. Lush green trees and shrubs dotted the hills and wild alpine flowers were in full bloom, adding a delightful mixture of color. Thick purple heather swayed harmoniously in the light breeze across the fields and small white sheep could be seen grazing in the distance.
The land surrounding Castle Sinclair could not hold a candle to the beauty before her. Unlike the green rolling hills of the Highlands, Castle Sinclair was settled on rocky flatland on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean. It was built on top of bedrock and sandy soil, making it hard for crops to grow in abundance. Although the estate was along the shore of the North Sea, the ocean was the only beauty that part of the Highlands offered.
As the sun rose in the sky, Keira was grateful the sun-kissed clouds showed promise for a warm and dry day. This time of year sporadic downpours were common and she prayed the rain would stay away just long enough for them
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