Read Online The Trouble with Highlanders by Mary Wine - Free Book Online Page A

battle. The advantage was on the high ground.
    â€œWhat in the name of Christ?” Gahan muttered as he surveyed the sheep milling about below them. Two of the pens were open, allowing the animals loose.
    â€œIt was a trap,” Norris pronounced in a deadly tone.
    Gahan took a second look at the pens and sheep then nodded.
    â€œThat fool woman ran straight into their hands,” Norris added.
    â€œBut why leave the sheep?” Keith asked.
    â€œBecause Comyn does nae need to steal the animals. He can have anything he wants off yer land once he has yer mistress wed to him.”
    It was a ploy as old as time.
    â€œWhat are ye planning to do?” Keith asked.
    Norris surprised him by grinning, but a closer look showed him just how unholy the curving of his lips was.
    â€œBy God, I plan to take her back.”
    ***
    â€œAgree to wed me this morning.”
    Morrell Comyn stood in front of her while his men ringed them. The morning sun was brightening the day, but all she saw was the ugliness of his expression. It was cold and calculating.
    â€œIf ye want to wed me, best ye go back to MacLeod Tower and discuss it with me overlord, Norris Sutherland.”
    â€œSutherland’s son is here?” Morrell scanned the rocky terrain behind her, losing some of his confidence for a moment, but he quickly regained his arrogance. He reached out and slapped her, to the delight of his men. “Best ye learn that I do nae tolerate scheming well. Sutherland would nae bother with ye until yer brother arrives. If the savage is still alive, that is.”
    Her hands were bound behind her back, and she turned with the blow, stumbling and then regaining her balance. Pain threatened to rob her of her vision, making dark spots dance before her eyes, which she blinked away. Her cheek throbbed, and she knew she’d have a bruise to mark the spot.
    â€œYe’ll wed me, Daphne MacLeod, and I do nae mind so much just how much pain ye have to endure before agreeing.” The tip of his tongue appeared and swept along his lower lip. Morrell wasn’t a bad-looking man; some might even see his dark hair and square jaw as comely. Nonetheless, the lust twisting his features made him hideous in her opinion.
    â€œAnd yer fortune of a dowry will be mine just as soon as ye swear before the priest that ye take me for yer husband. Since yer father is dead and yer brother is nae here, we need no contracts. Only the blessing of the Church and witnesses of a consummation.”
    Several of his men snickered.
    â€œI have no dowry.”
    He raised his hand, and this time she only turned her head with the blow. Oh, it hurt just as badly, but she was ready for the sting and stared right back at the man in spite of the pain. Morrell smiled brighter, a gleam of appreciation lighting his dark eyes. “I do enjoy testing the strength of any beast I plan to master.”
    â€œWedding me will gain ye naught but hungry people to provide for until me brother arrives to confirm that there is no gold.”
    He reached up and removed a long riding crop from his horse’s saddle. The animal snorted and stepped away, obviously having felt the sting of the rod.
    Morrell slapped the crop into his gauntlet-covered palm. “Swear to wed me.”
    â€œI will nae.”
    â€œI think ye will, Daphne,” he taunted her. “But ’tis a shame to ruin yer fine face. I’m going to enjoy yer beauty while I labor to plant me son in yer belly. So yer bruises will have to be on other parts of yer body—some place that will nae ruin me enjoyment of yer flesh.”
    He continued tapping his palm with the riding crop. Daphne battled to maintain her stony expression, but the sound of that leather meeting leather sent a chill down her spine. His men were all watching, and not a single one looked disturbed by their laird’s actions. More than one was leaning forward, eager to get a good view.
    Morrell walked behind her and