Free The Highlander Without a Bride by Johanna Maas

widely open and effectively exposed her breasts once again to the sunny afternoon and the warm summer breeze.
    Lord Hann nearly gagged at her boldness as he immediately flushed and stopped his horse short.  He never looked towards her, but simply stared straight ahead as he now sat atop the motionless horse.
    "Cover yourself!"   He spat.
    "Thank you, milo rd for permission to do so.  That is all I was asking."
    Kaye turned her pony back several paces as she moved slightly behind the small party at the edge of the path so that she could switch gowns.  She dismounted quickly upon the dirt road and with her horse between her and the backs of the Hann men, she quickly removed a fresh gown from her bag with the intent of replacing her torn one.  After her new gown was upon her body and all in place, she looked up tentatively one more time to ensure she was not being watched.  She carefully took the medallion that Tor had handed her and placed it securely within a small pocket of her fresh dress. 
    Before she placed her tattered clothes within her bag, she tore a long and narrow section from her hem.  With it in hand, she approached the injured man.  She stood beside him as he sat with a rigid and cold stare looking forward and upon his horse.  She touched his thigh to silently gain his attention as she implored him to dismount.  He looked at her stiffly, then over to the rigid back of his lord as he returned his gaze to her.  With a slight hesitation, he finally conceded and moved to the ground as he did her bidding.
    Kaye wrapped the thin piece of cloth several times around the man's upper arm, tying the ends to hold it into place and in attempt to quell the bleeding.  As she quickly and deftly completed her task, he looked down at her a slight nod to acknowledge her thoughtfulness for he appreciated her attentions.  When her lord angrily kicked his horse back into motion once again, the man immediately mounted his own beast and moved forward.  Within moments, she too, was seated once again upon her own mare and the party was moving in the direction of her new home.
    They walked their horses for what seemed to be a few more hours, unspeaking and unstopping as they forever moved forward.  As the heated afternoon sunshine was nearly spent and the sun began to lower in the sky, they crested a slight rise.  Kaye's breath caught slightly in her throat for laid out before them was an impressive sight and one with more splendor than she had ever had the opportunity to witness.  A sizable estate spread delicately across from them on the opposite side of the valley and perched gracefully upon the notable hill. 
    It was a very large and obviously well tended keep with a wide moat and substantial stone walls surrounding the whole of it.  The expansive castle was buried deep within the massive walls and perched upon higher ground and appeared to be a full three stories in height.  Even from this distance, it appeared very grand as the intricate stone walls gallantly reached upwards and towering into the evening sky. 
    This structure was ever so more splendid than her own home had been.  The large stone walls surrounding the keep were imposing as the double turrets rose grandly above the expansive courtyard below.  But with all that she knew of her Lord, all that had transpired up to this point, she could only look at her new home with a bland sense of calm.  For had she been so superficial as to have mere possessions thrill her, she maybe could have been happier.  But since she was more intently concerned for her heart, she would have exchanged each impressive turret and each extraordinary stone for a small hovel, if she could just have found a small piece of love and contentment.
    She continued to silently progress forward leaving the cover of the trees fully as she began to cross through the great green valley upon the heels of her lord.  A small village began to take shape with many homes and other animal