Free Highland Conqueror by Hannah Howell Page A

such an uncomfortable confrontation. Every instinct he had told him that something was wrong.
    The worry, even fear, he felt surprised him. It was strong and it ran deep. It was born of far more than his debt to Jolene’s brother, or to her, or even a natural need to protect a woman. They had known each other for only a few days and yet she had obviously become important to him. He could understand feeling an immediate desire foran attractive woman, but this was a little puzzling. He felt he ought to have known her longer, more thoroughly, and more intimately to cause him to feel such concern and fear over her safety and well-being.
    It was also puzzling that he felt no need to try and cure himself of this strange affliction. He certainly felt no urge to put some distance between them before it got worse or more complicated. From the first moment he had seen Jolene, he had felt possessive of her. Small, dark, and impertinent though she was, he had thought mine and still did. She felt right , even when she was glaring at him, fury enlivening her silver-gray eyes.
    Once he got her back by his side, safe and hale, Sigimor knew he was going to have to think more deeply about what lay ahead for him and Jolene. It was easy to see all the complications, such as her being English, but it might be time to start studying all that was right, such as the knee-trembling desire she could stir within him. He had never felt the like before and he should stop trying to ignore the importance of that. And, he would get her back, he vowed as he scowled at the trail she had left.
    “The fool lass left here and walked off in the wrong direction,” he said.
    “Do ye think she means to walk back to England?” Tait asked, only partly joking.
    “To Harold? Nay, she has simply gotten herself all turned about. She probably didnae watch where she was going carefully enough and is now lost.” Sigimor looked at Liam. “How close to us was Harold?”
    “Too close and drawing closer,” Liam replied. “Yet, I wouldnae have thought he was already breathing down our necks.”
    “But he could be and she is walking toward him, isnae she?”
    “So we had best nay just start bellowing her name,” Tait murmured as he joined Liam and Sigimor in continuing to follow her trail. “Might be why she isnae bawling like a lost lamb.”
    “Could be pure, stubborn pride, too,” Sigimor said. “I have watched her go the wrong way, turned her about, and had her try to convince me that was the way she wished to go if but for a wee moment. As we left the room at the inn, she turned left instead of right toward the stairs. When I pointed out the right way, she told me she was just satisfying her curiosity about how many rooms were on that floor.” He exchanged a brief grin with his companions. “Nay, she is lost and I fear she has wandered a long way refusing to admit it. I but hope that is the only problem.”
    Following Jolene’s trail was not easy for she was obviously possessed of a light tread, leaving only the faintest sign of her passing when she left one at all. Time was slipping away and each minute that passed in which Jolene was not safe at his side, Sigimor felt his fear grow. There were other dangers out there beside Harold. He finally sent Liam to scout the area up ahead of them to be sure they were not walking into any trouble as they searched for her. Although it was somewhat satisfying to know his companions now shared his concern, Sigimor found little comfort in their increasingly grim expressions. He promised himself the privilege of lecturing Jolene until her head throbbed, then turned all his attention back to hunting her.
     
    Jolene glanced up at the sky and inwardly cursed. The day was fading fast. All too soon the sun would be setting. Escaping into the dark would certainly make it difficult for Harold to chase her down. Unfortunately, it would also make it difficult for her. She had managed to get herself lost in the full light of day.