Read Online Jack: A Scottish Outlaw (Highland Outlaws Book 1) by Lily Baldwin - Free Book Online

bannock. A faint whiff of steam rose from the firm cake. She held it to her nose and inhaled its warmth. “This is marvelous.”
    The girls giggled. The one who had taken her hand scooted closer. Isabella admired her lovely dark braids and starry violet eyes. The girl took a bite of meat and while she chewed she scrunched her eyes up at Isabella. “Ye’ve lovely skin. ‘Tis darker than mine.”
    Isabella smiled. “My olive skin was a gift from my mother. She was Sicilian.”
    The girl took another bite. “What’s yer name?”
    In her mind Isabella recited her usual answer to that question—Lady Isabella Annunziatta Redesdale—but in the end her answer was simple: “Bella. And what is yours?”
    “Moira. I’m Jack’s lass.”
    Isabella’s eyes widened in surprise. “I did not realize Jack had a daughter.”
    Moira laughed. “We are all Jack’s lassies,” she said, gesturing to the little girls littering the blankets.
    Isabella’s hand flew to her lips. “Oh my.” It was clear she needed to add womanizer to Jack’s list of titles: Thief, commoner, Scotsman, and now rake.
    Rose smiled and leaned close. “Do not fash yerself, my lady,” she whispered.
    “I’m hardly worried,” Isabella said as she straightened her skirt to avoid Rose’s gaze. “Jack may father as many children as he likes.”
    Rose threw her head back with laughter. “I can tell ye on good authority that Jack has never fathered a child of his own.” Rose’s hand swept out to encompass all of the girls. “I told ye already. These girls are orphans, but they are in Jack’s charge.”
    “I do not understand.”
    “They’re parents were killed durin’ the massacre. They were abandoned, left to die, in fact. Jack gathered them all and hid them. Abbot Matthew keeps this lot in the monastery. But there are many more than what ye see here. He has them spread throughout the countryside, some in homes with families, others in different monasteries. But he provides for every single one.”
    Once more Isabella’s eyes widened. “Do you mean to tell me this is what he does with his stolen gains? He feeds orphans.”
    “Aye,” Rose said, still looking amused. “He robs English nobles and gives the money back to the Scottish people and to the cause, of course.”
    Isabella leaned closer. “What cause?”
    “Now, I like ye very much, but I won’t be tellin’ a Sassanach any more about that. No offense, my la—” Rose’s words were cut off by a chorus of girlish squeals the instant before Jack’s lassies took off back down the path.
    “Jack,” they cried.
    Isabella’s stomach flipped at the sight of him. He dropped to one knee and opened his arms. The girls threw themselves at him, knocking him onto his back. Isabella blushed at the sound of his rich laughter. Then she glimpsed red hair through the leaves as Ian came into view, followed by Rory, Quinn, and another man whom Isabella had not met but given his height and black hair, she guessed he was the infamous Alec. Ian cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, “Wee lassies.” The girls looked up, spied Ian and scrambled to their feet, charging toward their new target.
    Isabella shifted her gaze back to Jack who was still sprawled out on the ground. He lifted his head, and they locked eyes. His smiled softened, but his gaze did not waver. And though she trembled and grew nervous, she also did not look away. His dark eyes bore into hers with a power to unlock yearning. She imagined night had found its source in their black depths. They blanketed her sensibility with coercive warmth. He stood and walked toward her, his gaze ever constant. A shadow of a beard speckled his cheeks and strong jaw. Her heart pounded as he approached. She fought to swallow her nerves. He eased down onto the blanket. “Are ye feelin’ better today, Princess.” His tone was void of yesterday’s sarcasm.
    She tore her eyes from his to hide her pinked cheeks. “I am quite well, thank you,”