Read Online Much Ado About Highlanders (The Scottish Relic Trilogy) by May McGoldrick - Free Book Online Page B

or not come back at all.”

Chapter 7
Speak, Count, ’tis your cue.
    “You think I’m a child . . . or a fool.”
    Emily paced the room James Macpherson had taken at the ferryman’s inn for her. Her meal, barely touched, sat on the table.
    James shook his head. “That’s not it at all.”
    She huffed and stared out the tiny window at the windswept gray waters of the sound. Along the coast, Oban’s cottages huddled together out of the salty winds of the sea. She could chew his head off. She’d fallen victim to the Highlander’s crafty charm. She
was
a fool, she thought angrily.
    Because of her gullibility, Kenna was in danger.
    “You told me they could mend their differences with a few hours alone.”
    “I meant it. There’s a great deal they need to discuss, and they’ve never had a chance to do that.”
    She waved him off. “I believed your tales that Alexander hasn’t been the same since Kenna left him.”
    “Anyone who has spent any time with my brother will swear to that.”
    Emily continued to pace. James had played to the romance in her heart, knowing she’d soften at the prospect of her cousin out of the priory and happily settled into marriage. She would not be caught again in his snares.
    “You led me to believe that it was up to us to give them another chance.”
    James Macpherson nodded. “And that’s what we’ve done.”
    Like an obedient sheep she’d followed his lead as the sky lightened along the eastern horizon. Trusting him, she’d crept silently away. She’d rode on, leaving Kenna and assuming the Macpherson men would do right for Alexander and her cousin.
    “You lied to me.”
    “I may have omitted one or two things,” he replied.
    She stopped, facing him. “You told me you left them a horse.”
    “True, that was a lie,” he admitted. “But if we’d left them a horse, they would have arrived here ahead of us. Sharing a mount, there’d be no time to talk. We needed to slow them down.”
    “And now she’s in danger of English raiders.”
    “Alexander can take care of them both.”
    Arriving at the inn, James heard talk of raiding parties being seen farther north than ever. Some were rumored to be in the same area where they’d left Kenna and Alexander.
    Now James intended to go back for them.
    “There’s no point in waiting any longer for my kinsmen. I’m coming with you,” she announced. “As it is, Kenna will never forgive me. If anything happens to her, I’ll never forgive myself.”
    “That’s out of the question. You’re not coming with me. You’re going back to Craignock Castle as soon as your father’s men get here.”
    All the politician’s charm dropped away when James issued a command. And what he was telling her now was certainly an order.
    Emily matched his glare. “What about my exchange for the ship? Where is it?”
    “Well, that business is settled. I suggest you rest. I suspect the MacDougalls will arrive any time now.” James edged toward the door. “I’ll watch outside for them.”
    Something was wrong. He’d fooled her once. She wouldn’t allow it to happen again. Emily moved to the door, blocking his exit. “You really take me for a fool.”
    His expression hardened, but the arresting gray eyes avoided meeting hers.
    “Talk, James Macpherson, or by God I’ll put on a show that will make my cousin Kenna proud,” she threatened.
    “You’re two different people. Be happy with who you are. You’re much easier to reason with.”
    His words were intended to be a compliment, but Emily didn’t perceive it that way. She took a threatening step toward him, her tone sharper than before. “What is this business that is settled?”
    “Now, listen to me. None of this involves you. Let me go by.”
    “I’ll set the inn on fire if you go out this door.” She poked his chest. It was like jabbing a rock. She did it again, enjoying the thrill of standing up to him. “I’ll scream ‘murder.’ I’ll steal a horse and ride back to where