Read Online Lily (The Highland Clan Book 3) by Keira Montclair - Free Book Online

she forgotten about the man who’d followed her before, declaring his love to her? What if he were nearby? She was so far from him that Kyle would never be able to catch up if the stranger hoisted her onto his horse.
    The decision was so obvious, it did not even feel like a decision. Kyle raced for his horse and mounted in a second, flicking the reins and spurring his horse straight toward Lily. The more he saw her twirl, the more frightened he became. Plenty of people stood on the edges of the field now, applauding her, encouraging her to continue, but Kyle thought he’d die ten deaths until he got her out of there.
    He bellowed the Ramsay whoop to advise the others to clear the way for him. He could tell Lily was still oblivious to him, and he hoped she didn’t hit him with that stick, but he had to get to her before anyone else could. Naught would stop him from protecting his Lily.
    Kyle rode past his clanspeople, heading to one side of the dancing lass so he could scoop her up with his arm and settle her on the horse with him. He knew he took a chance, but Quade had forced his men to practice such a maneuver in case they ever needed to rescue women or children from danger.
    Only in the last few seconds did she finally whirl around to stare at him, dropping her stick with the ribbons in fright as he drew up beside her, reached down to grab her by the waist, and settled her in front of him.
    “Kyle Maule,” she ground out before he knocked the wind from her. Once she was able to speak again, she said, “What are you doing?”
    “What am I doing? What are you doing? Have you no sense? Do you not recall the man who attempted to kidnap you? By running through the middle of the meadow, you’ve given him an open target. You’ll be the death of me yet, lassie. How can I possibly protect the chief’s sister when she does not think about her actions?” Hellfire, but his heart had been in his throat until she landed safely in his lap.
    “Put me down, Kyle. I was enjoying myself. For once, I managed to forget about this foolish world around me. You’ve ruined my fun.” Her wee fists pummeled his chest. She’d landed facing him, and her sweet aroma was torturing him. She smelled like flowers and sunshine and the Highlands. What better aroma could there be?
    But it was more and he knew it. Lily, the scent that greeted him was his Lily. He’d recognize it anywhere. Just as he was about to answer her, an arrow flew past them, hitting the tree just beyond them. He slowed his horse and turned around in time to see Gwyneth and Logan rushing toward him.
    “Where are you taking her, Maule? Unhand my niece.” Logan’s bellow was fierce enough to stop him in his tracks. His horse danced a little as Lily tried her best to turn around and face forward.
    “He ruined my fun. I was just trying to forget all my troubles, and he had to come along and ruin everything. Just like he always does. I hate you, Kyle Maule.”
    Kyle was stunned by her declaration, and not a little fearful of Logan Ramsay. “What have I done wrong? I was just protecting the chieftain’s sister as I’ve been charged to do.”
    Gwyneth brought her horse up close to him. “Aye, but you acted rashly. Logan and I were within an arrow’s distance from her. We are capable of taking care of her.”
    “I did not see Logan. Forgive me.” Kyle’s head spun with all the ramifications he might face for having acted so carelessly. He could not help himself—Lily made him daft sometimes.
    Logan said, “Aye, I know you had good intentions, but a trained warrior checks the situation carefully before he acts. Your concern for Lily was not wrong, but you acted with no concern for anyone else in the area. You flew through a crowd full of women and bairns with no caution, lad.”
    Logan was absolutely correct. Kyle’s focus had been on Lily and Lily alone. “Forgive me, my lord. My error.”
    “I know you mean well, Kyle,” Gwyneth added, “but do not ever think