Free Highland Vengeance by Saydee Bennett

an hour when she saw a group
of men ahead of her. From the size of all them, Olivia knew these
men had to be Camden’s warriors. She also recognized the two that
had been there when she and their laird were married.
    As they came closer to the men, Camden
jumped from his horse and then Olivia followed. Each one of them
had a shocked look on their face and she assumed it was because of
her beautiful stallion. Camden knew the truth though and he glared
at his men for taking too much liberty in looking at his new wife.
He thought she looked even more radiant this morning wearing his
plaid and her beautiful long hair falling across her
shoulders.
    “ This is my wife Olivia, the
Countess of Lansington. Olivia, these are the men in my elite and
trusted guard. They are the finest warriors in the Highlands,”
Camden praised.
    Broderick came to her first and he
knelt on one knee, placing his hand over his heart.
    “ I am Broderick, first in
command. I will honor and protect my laird’s wife, in life and in
death.”
    He stood and moved so Liam could kneel
before Olivia and he too placed his hand over his heart.
    “ I am Liam, second in
command. I will honor and protect my laird’s wife, in life and in
death.
    Calum, Keith and Travis all took their
turn swearing their fidelity to their laird’s wife. She was both
honored and bewildered at the respect she was given. Olivia had
just met these men and yet they were pledging their lives for her.
She was not quite sure what to do but she felt they deserved equal
respect.
    Olivia smiled and then knelt before the
men placing her hand over her heart.
    “ I am grateful for your
loyalty and I shall honor and protect my laird and his elite guard,
in life and in death.”
    The men were taken aback by the woman’s
oath and also by her beautiful smile. How could a woman make such a
statement of valor? And how could a woman protect her laird and his
guard? If the look on Camden’s face had not been so serious, his
men would have thought this was a jest but their laird looked just
as puzzled by Olivia and her remarks. Camden took his wife’s hand
and helped her to stand. He was not sure what to say and all he
could do was continue to stare into her eyes.
    “ We have received word from
Stephan, my laird. He has secured your sister’s safety and will
meet us as directed,” Broderick said to distract Camden from his
stare.
    Camden nodded to Broderick. “We will
ride at the pace my wife wishes.”
    He would have to remember to ask her
later why she gave such a bold promise to him and his men. For now,
he was grateful that his sister was out of harm’s way and they
needed to begin their journey. The group mounted their horses and
Olivia rode to the right of her husband, where Broderick had always
been before. The first in command immediately worried about his
laird’s protection with Olivia by his side. They now had the added
responsibility of watching out for a woman.
    The group rode hard and fast as Olivia
pushed their horses to their limits. They would stop only when
necessary to water the beasts and rub them down. The men and Olivia
had reached Scotland safely by nightfall and tomorrow they would
meet the lawless men of Camden’s new land. Each one of the warriors
including Camden, were extremely amazed at how Olivia handled her
massive stallion. Not very many men could have controlled a horse
like that. She had ridden with ease and elegance while looking
exceptionally beautiful in doing so.
    As the men prepared to sleep for the
night on the cold hard ground, Camden worried about his new wife
would endure through the frigid weather. He had no tent for her and
he immediately felt a tinge of guilt for not preparing for her
comfort. Olivia was after all, a royal countess and surely she was
used to sleeping in luxurious silks.
    Before he realized it, Camden watched
Olivia unroll a blanket and place it on the ground. She took her
plaid off and then wrapped the soft material around her as