Free Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks Page A

arms, her grip tight. She feared if she let go she would awake from a dream and find none of this was real.
    “There is naught to thank me for. Now come. Let us return to the keep so that we may partake of the evening meal. You must be exhausted from your worries and the walk from the keep.”
    “You are an angel sent from God at last,” she whispered. “I prayed for so long for one. I thought He had forgotten me, surely.”
    Bowen’s features tightened and darkened. “I come too late. I have saved you from none of your misery. Would that I had known of your plight earlier. I would have come, Genevieve. I would have saved you.”
    She put her hand on his forearm, noting the paleness of her skin against his much darker flesh. “ ’Tis not true. Your kindness is a beacon on the darkest night. I had forgotten that goodness exists.”
    He seemed discomfited by her praise, but she met his gaze, never once looking away, so that her sincerity could not be questioned.
    Then he slid an arm around her waist and guided her toward his horse a few feet away.
    “Come. You ride with me. Let us return before the others become worried.”
    Genevieve went gladly, marveling that she’d ever be happy about returning to McHugh Keep, a place that had been her hell for an entire year.
    And she held his promise close to her heart, hugging it with every fiber of her being.

C HAPTER 10
    When Bowen rode into the courtyard with Genevieve, he was treated to several knowing looks, which annoyed him. There were smirks from the McHugh clansmen, outright expressions of disdain from the McHugh women, and even his brother and the two Armstrong brothers raised their eyebrows.
    Still, Teague, ever the gentleman, came forward to assist Genevieve from Bowen’s horse so that Bowen could dismount. Genevieve was wary of Teague and immediately put distance between them. Teague frowned at her as if she gave him insult for fearing he would harm her.
    Taliesan limped heavily into the courtyard, her gait far too fast for a woman with a lame leg. He started to call out a warning to her when she stumbled.
    Acting quickly, Brodie caught her before she went down. She came up, her face scarlet with embarrassment, but she didn’t allow it to deter her from her goal.
    After murmuring a quick thank-you and a curtsy to Brodie, she continued on her way, at a more sedate but no less determined pace toward Genevieve.
    “I would speak to you before I depart on the morrow,” Teague whispered so only Bowen could hear.
    Bowen nodded his agreement. “After the evening meal.”
    Teague stepped away and motioned for one of the Montgomery men to tend to Bowen’s horse.
    Taliesan finally made her way to Genevieve and grasped both of Genevieve’s hands, her face reflecting her obvious relief.
    “Thank God you’ve returned,” Taliesan said.
    Then, as if realizing the absurdity of what she’d said, she flushed and clutched Genevieve’s hands harder.
    “I sent Bowen after you. Please don’t be angry with me. ’Tis no place for a woman alone, out on her own with no protection. I know you are unhappy here, but ’tis my hope that this will change under the Montgomerys’ direction.”
    Bowen watched Genevieve closely, hoping she wouldn’t hurt the lass’s feelings, particularly when Taliesan had been so worried for her. Her heart had been in the right place, and she’d been genuinely concerned over Genevieve’s fate.
    He needn’t have worried. Genevieve managed a half smile and she returned Taliesan’s squeeze. “I thank you for your concern, Talie. ’Tis true enough that Bowen fetched me back, and for now ’tis glad I am to be here.”
    But Bowen saw the uncertainty and fear in her gaze as she surveyed the McHughs who dotted the courtyard and beyond, watching from the steps to the keep. There was scorn and derision in their stares that Genevieve would have to be a simpleton to miss.
    She notched her chin upward, her face becoming bland and indecipherable. It was