Read Online Highland Harmony: Avelina and Drew (Clan Grant Series Book 8) by Keira Montclair - Free Book Online

but barely. They did a fine job on him, but he deserved it. He was warned about touching Lina.”
    “They?” Jennie gave her husband a pointed look, then moved her gaze to Drew.
    “Menzie? You were in on this?”
    “Aye. I found her. When I left you, I came through the edge of the forest and heard the rustling of leaves. When I got there, Lachlan had knocked her out and was about to rape her.”
    Aedan’s eyes widened. “I’d like to kill him myself, though you and whoever helped you did a fine job.”
    “Drew didn’t have any assistance,” Jennie whispered, returning her attention to Avelina.
    Noticing Aedan’s expression of shock, Drew bellowed, “Why do you look surprised? The bastard was warned to keep his hands off her on two occasions, yet he still tried to attack her. You’re lucky Avelina moaned or I would not have been able to stop. But I knew I needed to get her to your wife.”
    Drew’s gaze returned to Avelina, whose form lay still atop the bed.
    Aedan made his way over to Drew’s side and grasped his shoulder. “My thanks.”
    Jennie’s house maid came through the door with linen strips, linen squares, and clean water, followed by a slew of lads carrying a tub and pails of steaming water.
    Aedan leaned over and kissed his wife on the cheek. “We’ll step out. Please keep us updated.”
    “Aye, Mab will help me wash her. I’ll send her out if I need you.”
    Drew stopped at the door to look back at Avelina for a moment. Hellfire, but the tall, willowy beauty looked so small in her bed.
    The urge to protect her…forever washed over him once more.
    ***
    Lina opened her eyes and moaned. Her hand flew to her face, though touching her tender skin only made her wince. What had happened?
    A sound echoed off to her side. She jerked her head that way and groaned again, for the motion sent pain shooting through her head, forcing her to hold it as if her wee hand could stop the battering inside.
    “Avelina, do not move. If you move, ‘twill only hurt more.”
    Drew yanked his stool over to the side of the bed. Her gaze caught his, and the green of his eyes mesmerized her. Before she could give it any thought, she spoke, “Please call me Lina. ‘Twas you who came to my rescue, was it not?” She eased her head into a position that did not hurt. “My thanks, Drew.”
    “Aye,” he whispered, reaching for her hand, enfolding it within his warm one. “My apologies. I should have been there sooner.”
    “Nay,” she whispered. “How could you have known? I am forever grateful you came to my aid when you did.”
    The door opened and Jennie glided into the room, moving over to stand beside Drew.
    “Lina? How do you fare?”
    “She’s sore. Her head must ache something fierce. Can you not give her something for the pain?” Drew’s voice rang out in the chamber.
    Lina squeezed his hand, only then realizing something. She had been able to talk to Drew. She closed her eyes and willed herself to continue, assuring herself that she could do this for the lad who had rescued her from that lout, Lachlan. This was an important moment for her, so much so that she closed her eyes before she parted her lips to speak. “I’m fine, Drew. ‘Tis not more than I can bear.”
    Drew’s hand reached out as if to touch her cheek, but then he retreated. “I do not wish to hurt you.”
    She smiled, a blush warming her insides, but somehow it did not stay her lips. “You cannot hurt me.”
    “Lachlan said you’d agreed to marry him. ‘Tis true?”
    Avelina gasped and tried to sit up. “Nay, I would never agree to marry him.”
    Drew reached for her shoulders. “We believe you. ‘Tis just another of his lies.”
    Jennie gently lowered herself onto the bed. “What happened, Lina? How did he find you?”
    She stared up at the beams in the ceiling as she tried to remember. “I was on my way out of the chapel when he grabbed me. I tried to scream, but he hit me, and ‘tis the last thing I recall. The next thing