Free Tempted by the Highland Warrior by Michelle Willingham Page B

he’d been without female
companionship in that time.
    ‘All right,’ she agreed. ‘Say the word and we’ll ride.’
    ‘To the edge of the shore,’ he said, pointing to the coastline
in the distance. The Duc lifted his hand, eyeing her to ensure she was ready.
Then, when he lowered his palm, they both rode hard across the countryside.
Marguerite leaned into the wind, watching as her father kept his horse in check,
giving her the lead. Though he loved to ride as much as she, he’d always been
indulgent, wanting her to win.
    Just as he’d given her everything she’d ever desired, whether
it was a silk gown or a purse filled with gold. She’d adored him as a young
girl, believing that it was her purpose in life to comply with his every
dictate. But the past few months had unsettled her, regarding the decisions he’d
made. No longer was he the benevolent ruler whom she obeyed without
question.
    Suddenly she felt the urge to defy his intentions again. At the
last moment, just before she won the race, Marguerite pulled her horse to a hard
stop, letting her father ride past.
    The Duc turned the horse and sent her a surprised look. ‘You
cheated.’
    ‘ Oui , I did.’ She sent a
mischievous smile, adding, ‘Don’t deny you were about to do the same.’
    He shrugged and came to join at her side. ‘A father is allowed
to grant favours to a beloved daughter, is he not?’
    She reached out and took his hand. ‘I suppose I’ll have to come
and visit you in France, after I wed.’
    ‘I’ll hold you to that vow.’ But in his face she could see the
shadow of concern.
    ‘What is it you haven’t told me?’ Marguerite asked him. ‘You’re
hiding something.’
    He let out a sigh and guided her back toward the castle to join
the others. ‘Nothing of any import, I suppose. The Earl of Penrith is a good
friend of the king’s. I am certain he will grant every wish you could have.’ But
his smile lacked sincerity, setting her mood on edge.
    She followed her father back to join the hunting party awaiting
them, her mind distracted. What wasn’t he telling her? As they rode out into the
forest in search of game, she fought the anxiety that edged her spirits.
    The woods blurred in a golden haze of sunlight filtering
through the trees. Though she continued with the others, her mind was distracted
and not at all interested in the hunt.
    ‘A boar!’ one of the men shouted, pointing toward the forest.
The riders quickened their pace and Marguerite held back, letting her father
take the lead. Although she didn’t doubt that the hunters would prevail, she
wasn’t about to get in the way of a boar. The aggressive beasts had vicious
tusks and more than a few men had been gored by them.
    Along with her father, a dozen men and women rode past, while
Marguerite remained on the outskirts. The others were so intent, no one seemed
to notice her absence.
    Then she heard a scuffling sound. Marguerite turned her horse
around, only to see a second boar racing towards her.
    Mon Dieu. She urged the horse
faster, trying to get away from the animal. No one else noticed and she turned
her mare deeper into the woods, trying to escape. Her horse reared up and she
struggled to hold her seat.
    Arrows sliced through the air, embedding within the boar.
Marguerite stared at them, her heart racing when she saw the black feathers.
Then, suddenly, someone dropped from the tree behind her, landing on her horse.
The man’s arms came around her, and he forced the horse into a gallop, leading
her away from the others. The instinct to scream died down in her throat, for
she knew, without a doubt, the identity of the hooded silent man.
    When the woods grew so thick her horse could no longer make it
through, he dismounted and lifted her down. Beneath the shadowed hood, she saw
the dark eyes of the man she’d dreamed of over the past few months.
    ‘Callum,’ she whispered, unable to believe it was he.
    He said nothing, but took her hand, guiding her