Read Online Highland Daydreams by April Holthaus - Free Book Online Page B

there, he also thought to buy her a pair of boots. Traveling barefoot, especially in the woods, was never a good idea, even if one’s feet were as calloused as his. He imagined her feet to be small and delicate. Unsure of Lara’s size, he useds the seamstress’ size as a reference. It was a good thing that the woman was not plump, otherwise he would not have known how to describe the lass without insulting this one. Once he’d paid for the items and placed them in the saddle bags, he rode towards the tavern hoping to find Lara unharmed.
     
    He found Lara inside the tavern at the far end of the room, sitting at a table surrounded by men. His hand went right to the hilt of his sword and he marched towards them. Listening to the drunken fools, he could tell they openly flirted with her. They asked to buy her drinks, or share a dance.
    “Nay, thank ye. I am waiting here fer someone,” she said to them as they huddled around her.
    “Ah, come on lassie. Just one wee dance. ‘Tis all I’m asking,” one of the men said, placing his hand upon her shoulder.
    “Best ye remove yer hand Sir, if ye favor it,” Lara snapped and scooted away.
    Bram grinned when he heard her sharp tongue but the fact that they were still trying to pursue her did not sit well with him. If anyone was going to pursue the lass, it was going to be him. He would not idly stand there and allow any other man the opportunity. If the need arose, he would fight off every one of these bastards, throw her over his shoulder, and walk out the door.
    “I believe the lass said nay to yer advances,” Bram growled.
    Four of the men that surrounded Lara turned their heads in his direction. Three of them were smaller than Bram and looked as if they were about to piss their trews. The fourth, however, was similar to Bram in size, and did not take Bram’s interruption too kindly. The man crossed his arms over his chest and stood in front of Lara; blocking her from Bram’s view.
    “And who are ye to say that the lass willnae change her mind?”
    “I am her escort,” Bram replied, trying to keep calm.
    Clutching his free hand into a tight fist, Bram’s anger rose, and this man added fuel to the fire. The other men took a step back.
    “Well, it seems she has a new escort now,” the man declared.
    Chuckling, the man turned his attention back to Lara. With one foot up on a chair and the other planted on the ground, he leaned towards her. Bram could feel the heat of his anger rising. It was a force to be reckoned with. Like a wild beast protecting its young, Bram swung his fist and punched the man hard on the side of his head, causing him to flip over the table and go tumbling to the ground. Bram stood over him, waiting for the man to get up and continue to brawl, but the man did not move. His head lolled to the side, his eyes remained closed, and spittle dripped from the left corner of his mouth. Bram had knocked him out cold. As for the other three, Bram watched as they cowered, then took off running out the door. As mad as a raging storm, Bram stomped back to where Lara was still sitting at the table. She looked affright, but something inside of him knew that it wasn’t the men that frightened her, it was him. 
    In a brash voice, he uttered, “It is time to go, lass.”  
    As they walked out the door, Bram said nothing to her. He knew that she must have thought his actions were harsh and uncalled for, but he had good reason. It had driven him mad seeing those men huddled around her; flirting and making advances. He justified what he had done by his promise to protect her, but he knew that he would only be fooling himself.
    “Thank ye,” she whispered.
    Her low and sweet voice carried on the wind behind him and he could barely make out her words.
    “Yer welcome.”
    “Ye dinna have to do that. I was able to handle myself just fine. They were being proper gentlemen.”
    “Ye shouldnae be so trusting,” he barked, not meaning to sound so harsh.
    “Are ye