Read Online The Highlander's Temptation by Eliza Knight - Free Book Online

with me as their commander. Under another man, if they obey and he has not fully prepared for the attack, there is no telling what could happen.”
    “Wallace is a great leader.”
    “Aye, but he is not me.”
    Jamie smiled. “Ye and I are much more alike than ye may believe, Sutherland. I, too, care a great deal for my men. For my country. I’d not let your men be led into folly.”
    “I appreciate that.” Magnus pushed back from the table, standing, he reached his arm across.
    Jamie, too, stood and gripped his arm. “And I appreciate ye giving my request serious consideration.”
    Magnus grunted. “I was about to begin training with my men. Care to join us?”
    Jamie’s grin widened. He loved a challenge. And this would be a good chance to prove to Magnus that he was fully capable of leading the man’s warriors into battle. “ With pleasure.”
     

     
    So Magnus had not sent the wild warrior and his men away.
    Lorna paused on the steps of the keep, and watched as the warriors filed out of the gate and onto the field where they would train for the day. Magnus and the warrior sparred with words, jabbing each other with their dumb fists.
    Couldn’t her brother see that this man was dangerous? A fool?
    The two of them carried on like they were the best of friends. Well, she could ignore them both. Hopefully the wretch would be gone by the evening meal.
    Lorna lifted her nose in the air and sailed past the men toward the stables, her arisaid full of apples and carrots for Angel. After giving her such a fright this morning—well, actually, after the stranger gave her such a fright—she felt she owed her mare a tasty treat.
    “Lorna!” Magnus’ voice had her pausing mid-step in the center of the courtyard. Should she turn and recognize him or just continue on?
    If she just kept going, there was every possibility that her brother would follow her. As stubborn as he was, she wouldn’t doubt it. Best to simply get it over with and be on her way.
    Lorna turned slowly around and gave a haughty lift of her brow. The stranger’s broad grin made her cringe. What did he have to be so happy about?
    “Aye, brother?” she asked.
    The two men approached her. “I wanted to introduce ye to our guest.”
    “Guest? Introduce?” She couldn’t help her surprise. He was staying? At Dunrobin?
    “Well, I suppose we’ve already been introduced. Twice, now,” the man said with a chuckle that did irritating things to her body.
    The sound of it tickled along her spine and sent a shiver racing into her chest. What was that all about?
    “Twice? How so?”
    “Lorna, this is Jamie Montgomery. The one who saved ye all those years ago.”
    All those years ago …
    Her mind tunneled back, remembering those horrid sights. Her parents, her brother Blane, blood, screams of pain. Lorna flinched, nodded quickly and gave a jerky curtsy. Now she knew why the name had been so familiar.
    “I see we have met. And ye’re not as much as a savage as I assumed ye were this afternoon. My thanks for your assistance.” The words tumbled out, monotone. She owed this man her life, for had he not the foresight to break away from the fight, ’twas very likely she wouldn’t have made it home that day.
    Lorna glanced down at the ground, suddenly not as full of spite as she’d been before. “I need to see to my horse. Nice to be reacquainted with ye.”
    Before he could respond, she whirled and took quick steps to the barn, tears blurring her eyes at the memories.
    That day she’d been so scared, but when he lifted her up and held her tight, he’d made her forget her fear. He was her very own hero. A warrior she could love. If only in her dreams.
    But now here he was in the flesh, and her body was doing all sorts of odd things, and her mind was racing with excitement, fear, and trepidation. Why was he here? Had he dreamt of her, too? Had he chosen to return to scoop her back up in his arms like she’d imagined he would one day?
    Good Lord, she