Read Online Seduced by Destiny by Kira Morgan - Free Book Online

up beside
     the course was the perfect contrivance for the exchange of encrypted messages. The queen’s spies need only buy a pint of beer
     from Josselin to slip her their missive, which she could later deliver to Philipe at this very inn.
    “Another pint to celebrate disaster averted?” offered the Highlander, proving Philipe’s point about Scots and their drink.
    “What?” she said distractedly. “Oh, nae, thank ye.” There was much to do, and she had to order her thoughts.
    “I’m buyin’,” he tempted.
    “Nae, I’ve had quite enough.” With effort, she turned her pensive scowl into a wide-eyed smile. Philipe had warned her to
     do nothing to arouse suspicion.
    “Somethin’ more to eat then?”
    “Nae.” She needed to make several purchases. Philipe had said he’d provide a horsecart and driver for her, as well as taking
     care of her lodging here at the inn. But she’d have to buy provender and clothing—women’s clothing—and settle up with her
     current innkeeper. She also needed to find someone to carry a missive to Selkirk so her da’s wouldn’t fret over her. She couldn’t
     reveal many details, of course, but she’d tell them not to worry, that she’d secured a position in the queen’s service and
     was living safely in Edinburgh.
    “At least let me walk ye to your lodgin’s,” the Highlander offered.
    “That won’t be necessary,” she began, then realized her swift dismissal might seem suspicious. After all, the man had brought
     her to the inn, bought her food and drink, and offered to protect her. He’d expect a little gratitude. “I mean, ye’ve done
     so much already.”
    “ ’Twas nothin’,” he assured her.
    “Ye really needn’t trouble yourself.”
    “ ’Tis no trouble.”
    “I wouldn’t dream of askin’ ye to—”
    “I insist.”
    Somehow she’d known he’d say that. The Highlander seemed to enjoy insisting. First he’d insisted on escorting her to the inn.
     Then he’d insisted she finish his meal. Now he was insisting she let him accompany her to her lodgings. And that coy little
     wink of his didn’t make his insistence any less irritating.
    “Fine,” she said. “But I don’t intend to dally.”
    Taking her words to heart, he saluted her with his tankard, then upended it, guzzling the beer with all theuntempered expedience she’d expect from a Highlander, and banging it down on the table. “Shall we?”
    She shook her head, wondering if he’d make it to the inn before he passed out. The Highlanders’ reputation notwithstanding,
     the man clearly had no capacity for beer. She’d stolen a peek at him a moment ago, and he’d been slouched over the table,
     snoring into his tankard.

Chapter 10
    G lancing down at the delectable lass beside him as they ambled down the streets of Edinburgh, Drew thought he might have made
     a mistake, downing that last beer. If ever he needed a clear head, ’twas now. But every time he caught the glint of sunshine
     on Jossy’s curls or watched the confident swing of her arms or glimpsed the upper curve of her creamy breast when her oversized
     shirt happened to gap away, as it did just then…
    ’Twas surely the beer causing the buzzing in his head. Ordinarily, he’d not give the wayward lass a second glance. Aye, she
     was pretty, the same way a wicked faery or a thistle blossom was pretty. She was far too full of fire and mischief for his
     taste. He preferred his women agreeable, predictable, and English. Didn’t he?
    “ ’Tis just up the lane,” she said dismissively. “I’m sure I’ll be safe now.”
    He frowned. How had they traveled so far so fast? He still hadn’t had so much as a glimpse of that note. He’d have to move
     more quickly.
    “I’ll see ye to the door,” he told her, glancing down at her knife sheath, where he knew the missive was hidden.“ ’Twould be a travesty to have come so far, only to be accosted by—”
    The words stuck in his throat as she turned and her baggy