Free Highland Deception (Highland Pride) by Lori Ann Bailey

parents had died, and Lachlan couldn’t deny his adoptive brother the opportunity to help a boy who found himself in similar circumstances. He nodded at the pair, and shortly after, their band continued on to Edinburgh, not knowing they would soon find the monster responsible for the senseless murder.

Chapter Five
    Maggie blinked. She looked up at Lachlan’s strong chin as he talked in hushed tones to someone nearby. She lay cradled in his arms in front of a blazing fire in some home she’d never seen before. She felt safe and treasured in the warmth of his strong, protective embrace, and och, he smelled of the fresh outdoors and wood and all things comforting.
    In an attempt to remember how she had come to be here, she blinked a few times. The man had kissed her in the woods near the encampment, turned her insides to mush, and she’d been so attuned to the sensations of his touch she lost all sense. Connected to him in that motherent, she’d wanted to give him the truth, not keep anything from him. But when he questioned her, she came to the realization that he’d only kissed her to lower her defenses, learn who her family was, and send her home. He hadn’t been moved by their embrace the same way she had.
    She had gone from such pleasure and trust to being hurt and scared at the same time and had done the only thing she could think of. She ran. It might not have been the smartest move, but she’d had no choice.
    The memory of what happened next eluded her. No matter how she tried, it wouldn’t come back, and a pain throbbed in her temple. The head injury had done this to her, and she needed to get to her bag and mix some tea. If she was going to survive and get to safety, she had to take better care of herself.
    Again Maggie blinked and focused on the man holding her. His skin glowed a warm caramel color in the dim firelight.
    Conversation stopped, and his anxious gaze tilted to her.
    Had he been worried about her?
    His free hand wound around her to massage and knead her temple and skull, and she sighed.
    “Maggie.”
    As she gave him a small smile, his shoulders relaxed.
    His hand started to fall away, but she caught it. “Please, it feels nice.” His lips curved up, and he continued. A slight shift in the air gave her the impression the person he’d been talking to left to give them some sort of privacy.
    “Where are we?” She found it disturbing that it was the second time in two days she’d had to ask that question.
    “We only rode a little farther to a safe place after ye fainted.” Concerned eyes studied her.
    Now she was confused and annoyed. She was no wilting flower who fell at any sign of danger. “I have never fainted.”
    “Ye did today.” He looked away then back down at her. “Ye were running from me. What are ye so afraid of?” She stiffened, and his hand moved to cradle her cheek softly.
    “I cannae go home. If ye dinnae want me here, I will find a convent on my own.”
    “A convent?” His lips quirked. It didn’t matter if he believed her—she was done defending herself, and she was perfectly capable of navigating through the Highlands without the assistance of a man.
    “Ye wouldnae be happy at a place like that.” His fingers slid back into her hair, and her scalp tingled. “Ye have too much fire in ye.” It surprised her he could read her so well. She knew she would never be happy there, but she would settle for whatever kept her safe.
    “’Tis the only option I have.” She turned her eyes toward the flames and hoped he would drop the subject. “I need my bag. There are herbs for my head.” Now she pushed his hand away and cautiously attempted to rise. He stopped her.
    “If ye cannae trust me, then I will go my own way. Ye are free from any obligation.” She attempted to look stern and unbendable, but in his arms like this, it was doubtful her determination came across.
    “Ye cannae be out here on yer own.” His head slowly shook.
    “Will ye keep me against my