Free The Highlander's Triumph by Eliza Knight Page B

thank you. ’Tis the truth, however, that you saved me, and so I am in your debt.”
    “Ye will never be in my debt, Mariana. I could never in good conscience have seen ye harmed.”
    Was it only his conscience that drove him? Was it possible, in her desperate need for an emotional connection, she’d conjured up the attraction she’d felt simmering between them?
    “Let your conscience be clear then, my laird. You owe me nothing.” Why did her words have to come out sounding so bitter? They left a sour taste upon her tongue, when what she wished for was the sweet spice of his kiss. She hastened to add, “Apologies, I don’t mean to sound ungrateful.”
    “Mariana, there is no need to apologize. I dinna blame ye for your ire, nor do I think ye’re ungrateful.” He squeezed her hands gently. “Ye are tired. Ye’ve been through hell. Let your mind rest.”
    Brandon’s edict was easier said than done. Her mind was anything but restful. She imagined a life that was impossible. Was well aware that the two of them would never be more than they were at this very moment, no matter how much she wished otherwise. Even if they acted on their desires, in the end it could amount to nothing. She had a place and it was not at Brandon’s side. Yet, all she could think of was him, and how she was going to save all of the Highlands from King Edward’s wrath.
    They approached the main gate before the bridge. A whistle pattern blown and returned in kind was the only signal between the men and the gatekeepers. The portcullis was drawn up and the men urged their mounts forward. The horses clopped over the bridge, an eerie sound that broke the silence of the night. The wind picked up, seeming to come from the black water’s depths. This time Brandon’s back did not protect her. The fierce gusts blew water into her face, whipped the cloak from her head and swirled her hair up into the air. She sank deeper against him and closed her eyes to keep the rain from pecking them out.
    “We’re back!” Mariana recognized the booming voice of William Wallace.
    “As well ye should be,” came a response from someone she didn’t recognize.
    She opened her eyes and peer ed around Brandon’s back to see a large warrior passing through another gate leading into the courtyard. He clapped arms with Wallace and Ronan, pressed a kiss to Julianna’s hand and then came around to Brandon.
    “Wh o is this?” he asked, peering toward Mariana. The man was handsome, even looked a bit like Brandon.
    Brandon sat taller, his spine stiffening. “Lady Mariana.”
    “Welcome, my lady. I trust your journey was not overly rough.”
    “Laird Sinclair did his best to make me comfortable.”
    The man sent Brandon a roguish smile. “I bet he did.”
    Brandon punched the man’s shoulder. “Enough, Cousin. Lady Mariana, might I introduce ye to my cousin, Daniel Murray.”
    “A pleasure.”
    “Indeed the pleasure is all mine.” The man pressed his lips to her knuckles and winked at her. “If the rascal offends ye, there are plenty of other more civilized men who’d be happy to—”
    “Och, away with ye!” Brandon bellowed, and gave his cousin another solid punch to the arm. Daniel backed away laughing and went to rib another warrior.
    Brandon turned in the saddle and eyed her warily. “Apologies, lass. My cousins and I tend to have a fondness for jesting with one another—especially if a beautiful lady is present.”
    He’d called her beautiful. Her face heated, and she was glad that in the torchlight, he wouldn’t be able to see such a reaction. She smiled and lifted a brow.
    “I found the interaction to be rather…tender.” Her lips quivered with the need to laugh.
    “I see ye are in good company then since ye have a tendency to tease as well.”
    With a tilt to her lips, she said, “The company will do.”
    “I hate to ask whether ye mean for now , or until someone better comes along.”
    “Oh, monsieur , you wound me. A lady would never