Read Online Wild about the Witch by Cassidy Cayman - Free Book Online Page A

laughed nervously. She only wanted his forgiveness and his love, and here they were talking about acts of violence.
    “Speaking of broken noses, I can’t believe you actually did that to Oliver.”
    He shrugged and winced at the pain from the movement. “Well, I was a bit frustrated when he showed up instead of ye.”
    She told herself not to get her hopes up, he didn’t mean anything by his words, but her hopes soared anyway. Foolish things. She brushed his hair out of his face.
    “I took a wrong turn and was waylaid.” It was impossible to discern his thoughts as his blue gaze locked with hers. “I daresay Solomon Wodge deserved his broken nose more than Oliver did, though.” Her hopes plummeted when he looked away.
    “He understood. He’s a good lad,” Quinn said brusquely.
    She nodded, having only just thought the same thing, and the unspoken rebuke hung in the air. She thought she should get up and go back to sitting by Oliver but couldn’t make herself leave his side. His grumpy face and steady breathing were enough to make her happy right now, and maybe staying close to him helped keep him warm. Night was creeping in fast and the temperature dropped as rapidly. Bella and Pietro argued over the best way to get Quinn back to the castle, and finally sent the guard back for a litter and more men.
    “Absolutely not,” Quinn said, putting his good arm under him and slowly rising to his feet. “The day ye drag me along in a litter, is the day I’m dead.”
    “Trying to ride in your condition will surely kill ye,” Bella said, trying to keep him down.
    Lizzie helped her in grabbing his hand and staying near in case he toppled. “She’s right, you big baboon.”
    Pietro snorted and Quinn leaned against a tree but stayed standing, brushing Bella off as if she were no more than a bottle fly.
    “What is she calling me? What is a baboon?” he asked indignantly, but grinned nonetheless at being able to stand.
    Lizzie’s heart ached. He was so good natured. Not even being shot, and then hacked at by a butcher, or being sent to the wrong time and called rude names could dampen his spirit.
    “It’s a fierce, noble animal,” Pietro said, clapping his old friend on the unharmed shoulder. Quinn still flinched. “But ye must listen to my wife. Ye are in no condition to ride.”
    Quinn strode past them to the nearest horse and mounted up with minimal grunting. He looked smugly at everyone on the ground and turned the horse toward the castle. Not wanting him to faint and fall off, everyone mounted the remaining horses and gathered round him, making their way steadily through the forest.
    Once in the courtyard Bella cantered ahead to call for rooms to be readied and a meal prepared for the guests. As soon as Quinn slid off his horse, he followed the servant to his chamber, silent and pale. Lizzie hurried after them, wanting to check Quinn’s bandage. She told Oliver she would find him later, leaving him gaping nervously in the midst of a bunch of Highlanders.
    Bella met them in a hallway, looking harried. “Lettie here will make sure ye have everything ye need, Quinn. Miss Burnet, please join the others in the dining hall whenever ye’re ready. I may not see ye again tonight. My youngest lad’s come down with a fever.” She smiled at Lizzie and squeezed Quinn’s hand before hurrying off.
    The maid showed them a small chamber, and when Lizzie refused to leave Quinn’s side and follow her to her own room, she promised to send up food and have the physician check on him later.
    “Bella seems lovely,” Lizzie said, standing awkwardly inside the door.
    Quinn headed straight to the bed and fell onto it, his eyes closed. “The bairns must have mellowed her,” he said, uttering a short laugh. “And the years. I saw her but two months ago and she was barely older than Catie. Now she’s older than me, I suppose.”
    “Time travel, eh?” Lizzie said, creeping further into the room. She knelt by the bed and pulled