Read Online King of the Isles by Debbie Mazzuca - Free Book Online Page B

cousin in spite of their protests. “I thought once he’d wed, Iain meant to leave the seafaring to his partners and see to their business dealings ashore?”
    “Aye, ’twas the plan, but I think Glenna worried he’d come to resent their marriage if he was forced to give up his adventures.”
    “Do ye ken how Iain fares?”
    “Nay, but ’tis said they’re soon to begin the journey home.”
    “It will do him good to be back with his family,” Syrena murmured.
    Not always. Lachlan shook off the thought. “We’d best be off.” He frowned, scanning the hall. “Where’s Aurora?”
    “I don’t know. She was with us a few moments ago,” Syrena said, looking about her. She pulled away from his brother. “I’ll check the kitchens.”
    “I’ll come with you,” Evangeline offered, following after Syrena.
    Gavin’s high-pitched shriek penetrated the thick entrance doors. “Syrena, Evangeline, I think we’ve found her,” Aidan called out.
    Lachlan passed a gimlet eye over Evangeline when the two women returned to the hall. “Ye’re no’ doin’ a verra good job seein’ to yer charge. How can I trust her to yer care in the Far North if ye canna even manage to keep her in yer sights here?” Lachlan savored the reaction his taunt garnered. Evangeline’s cheeks pinked and her full lips pursed.
    “You can not truly think to fault me in this?”
    “Aye, brother, ye canna fault Evangeline when only a short time ago the bairn went missin’ on yer watch.”
    Lachlan scowled at Aidan over Evangeline’s head as she walked toward him then drilled her finger in his chest. “You are the most exasperating man I have ever had the misfortune of knowing.”
    He took hold of her finger. “I didna lose her. I kent she was playin’ with Gavin. And I’m no’ just a mon, I’m a king. Besides, seein’ to the bairn’s a woman’s work, no’ a mon’s.”
    She growled low in her throat and Lachlan grinned. “Ye really need to work on that temper of yers, Evie.”
    “Ignore him, Evangeline. Let’s go rescue Gavin.” Syrena leveled Lachlan with a warning look, then led her friend from the castle.
    “Ye seem to have lost yer touch with the lassies, brother,” Aidan said, grinning at the disgruntled look he shot him.
    “Careful,” Lachlan said. “Or I’ll tell yer wife I could use her assistance in the Fae realm.”
    “Nay, ye wouldna, ye worry aboot her welfare almost as much as I do.”
    “That may well be, but I grow tired of her sidin’ with those bloody women all the time. I’m her kin. Ye think she could show me a little loyalty. Now I’m stuck bringin’ the three of them, and Evangeline .”
    “Well, I fer one am glad Fallyn and her sisters will be there fer ye. As to Evangeline, I’m sure if ye set yer mind to it ye can charm her into doin’ yer biddin’.”
    “I doona think we’re talkin’ aboot the same Evangeline.”
    Aidan snorted a laugh, clapping him companionably on the shoulder as they walked to the door. “Ye have to admit, brother, it would no’ be a hardship attemptin’ to charm her. She’s a verra bonny woman.”
    Nay, he didna have to admit a thing. Especially to his brother, who would no doubt tell his wife, and of late, Syrena had developed the truly annoying habit of matchmaking.
    As soon as they stepped into the sunlit courtyard, he spotted Evangeline, arms folded beneath her chest, impatiently tapping her foot.
    His brother’s laughter drowned out Lachlan’s curse.
     
     
    Out of courtesy to Syrena, Evangeline had let his royal highn ass off easy, but now, after stepping through the standing stones into the Fae realm, she was going to tell him precisely what she thought of his dictatorial, high-handed manner. She turned to confront him.
    “No’ a word out of ye. Remain here with the bairn,” he ordered in a deep, commanding rumble. His attention focused beyond her.
    He strode toward the clearing, unsheathing his sword as he made his way to where a small party of